Name: Monroe S. Kuttner

His book: The Rabbi King, David of Khazaria published by Xlibris Corporation.

About the book: It is a history-based adventure novel that tells the story of David, the last Khagan (king) of the Jewish Kingdom of Khazaria in the twelfth century. In history, the Empire of Khazaria occupied southern Russia between the sixth and tenth centuries C.E. In the middle of the eighth century, the Khazar Khagan and nobles adopted Judaism as their religion.

An excerpt: “David’s most vivid early memory was of standing next to Rabbi Ezra as the silken noose was being tightened around his father’s neck. He could see it almost as if it was happening now, in the square before him.

“David tensed, seeing again in his mind his father gasping for air as the noose was at last loosened. His father could not speak, but steadied himself on the horse as dizziness left him. The watching members of the royal court nodded in unison. He had passed the test. ‘He did not fall from the horse,’ intoned the rabbi. ‘He will be a strong Khagan and have a long reign!’ Everyone cheered, including five-year-old David, though the words had meant little to him.”

...Tomorrow it would be his turn on the white horse.”

What inspired you to write this book? “I had just retired and needed something to keep me busy. I was researching the Khazarian tribes and felt I had enough to write a book.”

Have you written anything before this book? “I wrote a business book a few years ago and numerous business articles over the years.”

What do you most enjoy about living at Cedar Crest (an Erickson-built and –managed community in Pompton Plains, N.J.)? “We’ve met more people in the last 11 months that we’ve lived here than we did in the 11 years before that. And they’ve all been very nice people.”