Dara Horn

Dara Horn is a prominent figure in contemporary American literature, recognized for integrating Jewish history, philosophy, and identity into both fiction and nonfiction. Horn is the author of seven books, including the novels "In the Image," "The World to Come," "All Other Nights," "A Guide for the Perplexed," and "Eternal Life," the Passover-themed graphic novel "One Little Goat," and the essay collection "People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present." She holds a doctorate in comparative literature from Harvard University, where she studied Yiddish and Hebrew. Horn has taught courses in these subjects at Sarah Lawrence College and Yeshiva University and served as the Gerald Weinstock Visiting Professor in Jewish Studies at Harvard.

Horn's debut novel, "In the Image," published by W.W. Norton when she was 25, received the National Jewish Book Award, the Edward Lewis Wallant Award, and the Reform Judaism Fiction Prize. Her second novel, "The World to Come," received the National Jewish Book Award for Fiction and the Harold U. Ribalow Prize, was selected as an Editors' Choice in The New York Times Book Review, and has been translated into 11 languages. Named one of Granta's Best Young American Novelists, Horn has been a finalist for the Kirkus Prize, the Wingate Prize, the Simpson Family Literary Prize, and the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. Her books have been recognized as New York Times Notable Books, included in Booklist's 25 Best Books of the Decade, and listed among San Francisco Chronicle's Best Books of the Year, with translations into 13 languages.

Horn's essay collection, "People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present," established her as a leading voice on antisemitism and Jewish cultural memory. Her nonfiction work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Smithsonian, Tablet, and The Jewish Review of Books. She is also the creator of the history podcast "Adventures with Dead Jews."

Following significant attacks on Jewish communities worldwide, Horn's expertise has been sought by academic institutions and government bodies. She has served on Harvard's Antisemitism Advisory Group, met with the White House and Congress, and engaged with communities across North America. Through these experiences, Horn has addressed issues of antisemitism, Jewish identity, and cultural understanding. Her book, "The Final Solution to the Jewish Question," examines the myths and narratives that have perpetuated antisemitism and explores pathways for change.

Horn is the founder and president of The Tell Institute, a nonprofit organization focused on educating the American public about Jewish civilization, including initiatives in K-12 education. She has lectured at venues throughout North America, Israel, and Australia, sharing her expertise in Jewish studies, literature, and cultural history.