Not by the Sword: How a Cantor and His Family Transformed a Klansman

by Kathryn Watterson

The riveting account begins in 1991, when Cantor Michael Weisser receives his first threatening phone call from Larry Trapp, Grand Dragon of the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan of Nebraska. Trapp, a wheelchair-bound amputee holed up in a cramped apartment filled with automatic weapons, Nazi paraphernalia, and stacks of hate literature, had for years led a campaign of terror in Lincoln, Nebraska. But Cantor Weisser and his wife Julie refused to be intimidated by Trapp's escalating threats. Instead, they made a stunning offer of friendship; after an emotional confrontation with the Weissers, Trapp shocked everyone -- including himself -- by resigning from the KKK and breaking his ties with other neo-Nazi leaders.

Not by the Sword recounts Larry Trapp's life as a racist, his startling transformation in response to the Weissers' kindness, and his subsequent crusade to redeem his past by apologizing to his victims and speaking out publicly against racism and bigotry. Kathryn Watterson movingly describes how one family, along with other individuals from the Jewish, African American, and Asian American communities in Lincoln, feared, fought, and then forgave a man who had tried to destroy them.

This gripping tale gives the reader an inside view of hate mongering, and offers a powerful testament to the triumph of the human spirit and the transforming power of love and tolerance.

Winner of the Christopher Award.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Jewish, Memoir, Politics, Judaism

363 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very all-over-the-place kind of read. Three biographies -- of the Grand Dragon of Nebraska, the cantor of the nearby temple and the cantor's wife, who was chief caregiver for a dying man. The story works out to be a combination of dizzyingly positive and horrifyingly grim. Well worth a look for those who believe real change is impossible.

[Elizabeth]

As seen in How to Reduce Workplace Conflict and Stress.

[Benjamin Murray · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a really hard book to read. The content is really dark at times. There's redemption seen, but this is definitely not a book for any non mature audience.


Rape, torture, murder, amputation, masterbation, and strong language are all in this book

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

in 1991, Cantor Michael Weisser and his family moved to Lincoln, NE to revitalize the city's declining Jewish community. Weisser was known for his open-minded approaches and had friends and relatives of different races and religions. his 2nd wife Julie (who appears in this book), converted to Judaism because she shared Michael's values. but they soon became targets of KKK Grand Dragon Larry Trapp and received menacing phone calls and letters. the Weissers' kids were afraid to go out at night and feared their parents would be killed. but their parents were more clever than they realized, and fought back not with hatred but with the very values they stood for. Trapp, a dying amputee, was so blindsided by the Weissers' actions that it caused him to rethink the life he wasted, make amends with the people he terrorized (many of whom were Asian, African-American, Jewish, or handicapped like himself) and ultimately convert to Judaism shortly before his death a year later. while the media perceived the Weissers to be delving into dangerous territory by harboring a terminally ill KKK member in their home, they knew they were doing the right thing.

today, the real Michael Weisser lives in New York where he is the cantor for a Reform synagogue and still very active in his spiritual pursuits. although he and Julie separated in 2002, they are still close. the kids are grown and married, and Weisser even co-officiated at his oldest son's marriage to a Methodist woman (whose father was the other officiant). the memory of Larry Trapp still lingers with him, and he thinks of his friend fondly.

this true account is a riveting demonstration that it is never too late to change, and that saving one life means saving the entire world.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of ways the author of this book might have gone wrong, but she wrote a very good book. I expected it to be uplifting, but the first half was rivetingly scary. I knew a clansman would be distasteful to read about, but she does a good job of showing us just how scary the clan is. The story of his transformation is remarkable, and well told. And the result of diligent and thoughtful engagement on the part of the cantor and his wife. Wish they would lead a whole movement on how to break down hate.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book kind of bored me a little, and I had to make myself continue reading it. It was interesting to see how a little kindness and openness can change the way that people think. So many people were born to racist parents and raised to be racist. It takes patience when engaging with someone like that. People have to want to change, want to learn, and want to be better. I hope more people decide to change and reach out to others to help them be better people. That is something that society certainly needs more of.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The true story behind the unlikely friendship between Cantor Michael Weisser and Klansman Larry Trapp. Trapp, physically dying due to poorly managed diabetes personally attacks Weisser's family simply due to his hatred of Jews. With an unbreakable belief in the goodness of all people, Cantor Weisser not only forgives Trapp, but invites him into his family. The conclusion includes Trapp convervting to Judaism before his death.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This redemption story interested me because it happened in the city in which I reside, and also heard a short version by a storyteller. I think this is a compelling story and a good read for anyone interested in the subject of forgiveness and human nature. The book flows well and is easy to read. Really an amazing story. Hats off to the Weissers, they put into practice what so many others only talk about.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely powerful true story about the transformative power of love. A Jewish family reaches out to the Grand Dragon of the Nebraska KKK and ultimately lead him to not only abandon his racist beliefs but ultimately convert to Judaism. Well worth the read.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

from Sylvie
On my shelf for a long time....
conversion story
away from hate to openess to love

[Lisa]

Rich Nathan Recommendation

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story regarding a KKK converting to Judaism, largely through the love shown to him from a Jewish cantor and his wife. (Lots of bad language, etc.)

[Sheridan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the story and the history, but was overwhelmed at times with all the factual information.