The authors of "Searching for God: Study Partners Explore Contemporary Jewish Texts "introduce "self-directed hevruta," a novel twist on the traditional Jewish path of in-depth learning with a study partner. Together, they choose the most challenging topic of all, searching for God, and explore five contemporary Jewish texts that present several approaches: mysticism, rationalism, nontraditional Judaism, metaphors from science, and character development.

These spiritual seekers are lay-people. Joan Burstyn is an historian and poet; Gershon Vincow is a scientist and community leader. They study, discuss, teach each other, and draw conclusions. The result of this study partnership is a transformative learning experience about Judaism and the search for God.

"This touching and inspiring account of the commitment of two friends to study texts and share their insights with each other on behalf of their own, and each other's connection to holiness could well be titled Thinking as a Spiritual Path. Celebrating intellect as an instrument of prayer, this book will serve as a template for seekers across religious traditions who long for a spiritual practice that satisfies their minds as it gladdens their hearts."

-Sylvia Boorstein, author of "Happiness Is an Inside Job: Practicing for a Joyful Life."

"This book successfully probes the most basic questions anyone should ask: What do I mean when I use the word 'God'? And how does the answer affect the way I live?"

-Edward D. Zinbarg, board member, Jewish Theological Seminary Rabbinical School; author of "Faith, Morals and Money: What the World's Religions Tell Us about Ethics in the Marketplace."

Joan Burstyn's fourth book of poems, "Treasures Stored for Winter," draws the reader into the author's life from the mid-twentieth century to the present day. At times, personal and political events combine-as happens on the evening of June 30, 1982, when the last state legislature rejected the Equal Rights Amendment. At that moment, Burstyn stood with other women around a pond in South Orange, New Jersey, as they raised their voices in protest as remembered in "Waiting to Rise Again." I felt braided into others' lives, mingled beyond extrication. We stood together in darkness, each with candle flooding the pond with light, hope filling our eyes even as the Equal Rights Amendment was snuffed out, swiftly as a candle's flame ...

In this collection, Burstyn makes clear that life demands both awe and optimism from us. "My first dip into "Treasures Stored for Winter" brings up a small package, "After Snow"; it bursts open with imagery so vibrant and glowing that I can't help myself. I dip again, bring out "While the House Sleeps"; with its commanding imagery metaphorically I become ..". a matador/swirling my red cloak/before the bull, prodding it with my words." -Joanna Chrzanowski, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor; chair, English Department, Jefferson College

The authors of "Searching for God: Study Partners Explore Contemporary Jewish Texts "introduce "self-directed hevruta," a novel twist on the traditional Jewish path of in-depth learning with a study partner. Together, they choose the most challenging topic of all, searching for God, and explore five contemporary Jewish texts that present several approaches: mysticism, rationalism, nontraditional Judaism, metaphors from science, and character development.

These spiritual seekers are lay-people. Joan Burstyn is an historian and poet; Gershon Vincow is a scientist and community leader. They study, discuss, teach each other, and draw conclusions. The result of this study partnership is a transformative learning experience about Judaism and the search for God.

"This touching and inspiring account of the commitment of two friends to study texts and share their insights with each other on behalf of their own, and each other's connection to holiness could well be titled Thinking as a Spiritual Path. Celebrating intellect as an instrument of prayer, this book will serve as a template for seekers across religious traditions who long for a spiritual practice that satisfies their minds as it gladdens their hearts."

-Sylvia Boorstein, author of "Happiness Is an Inside Job: Practicing for a Joyful Life."

"This book successfully probes the most basic questions anyone should ask: What do I mean when I use the word 'God'? And how does the answer affect the way I live?"

-Edward D. Zinbarg, board member, Jewish Theological Seminary Rabbinical School; author of "Faith, Morals and Money: What the World's Religions Tell Us about Ethics in the Marketplace."

"Joan Burstyn views the stuff of our daily lives with keen observation rendered in thoughtful expression. These lyrical poems remind us that the life cycle and our emotional reactions to everyday occurrences bring to the surface love, memories, regret and thoughts of life's ending. An inspiring book."
-Ferris Olin, Director, Institute for Women and Art, Rutgers University

"Finally, the public can enjoy Joan Burstyn's poetry as the Woods Hole community has for years "
-Margaret McCormick, Director Woods Hole Public Library

"In Path Into the Sun," award-winning poet Joan Burstyn shares her beautifully intense collection of lyrical free verse.

With an engaging style, Burstyn weaves together her internal musings and images from nature in this her third volume of poetry. Such universal emotions and experiences as forgiveness, grief, loneliness, lessons learned, and the value of friendship are highlighted as Burstyn leads others down a path of personal reflection sure to invigorate, and inspire.

An excerpt from "Path Into the Sun"
Wide-eyed, bewildered as a wakened child,
a wombat looks up at the humans
viewing it. We walk the sanctuary
as though we own it, talking loudly
like teenagers let out of school,
but wombats, emus, and kangaroos
are regulars, expansive, calm,
like neighbors at a bar, just tolerating us intruders.