Tod Goldberg

Tod Goldberg [born 1971, Berkeley, CA] an author whose work often explores Jewish identity, heritage, and ethics through the lens of “Jewish Noir.” He is best known for his Gangsterland  series, which uses a criminal premise to delve into Jewish theology and community life. 

The “Rabbi” Protagonist: The series follows Sal Cupertine, a non-Jewish hitman who hides from the FBI by assuming the identity of Rabbi David Cohen in Las Vegas.

Talmudic Influence: Despite being an imposter, the protagonist deeply studies the Torah, Mishnah, and Talmud to maintain his cover. Goldberg uses this to explore how Jewish law and ethics—such as the concept of “witnessing history”—can intersect with a life of violence.

Hanukkah Noir: He recently edited the anthology Eight Very Bad Nights  (2024), which brings a Jewish voice to the traditionally non-Jewish noir genre by setting crime stories during Hanukkah.

Social Satire: His work often satirizes contemporary American Jewish life and the affluent suburban culture of modern synagogues. 

Goldberg’s writing is informed by his own family history and a “spiritual but not religious” personal identity. 

• Ancestral Trauma: He discovered that his paternal grandmother’s family was assassinated in front of her after WWI and his maternal grandfather escaped Ukrainian pogroms hidden in a potato sack.
• Personal Philosophy: He describes his faith as a “belief in metaphor more than God,” rooted in the Jewish tradition of questioning and interpretation.
• Honoring History: He views his writing as a way to light the way to his own past and honor the “indomitable spirit” of the Jewish people. [Google/AI]

Goldberg, Tod, (Gangsterland [pb, Counterpoint, 2014]) 978-1619025783

Goldberg, Tod, (Gangster Nation [hc, Counterpoint, 2017]) 978-1619027237 [pb, 2018] 978-1640091061

Goldberg, Tod, (Gangsters Don’t Die [hc, Counterpoint, 2023]) 978-1640093041 [pb, 2024] 978-1640096615

Goldberg, Tod, (Eight Very Bad Nights: A Collection of Hanukkah Noir [hc, Soho Crime, 2024] 978-1641296137 [pb, Soho Crime, 2025] 978-1641297363