Rodger Kamenetz’ most recent book, Seeing into the Life of Things is an exhilarating intellectual and emotional journey, as he finds a natural spiritual path in the imagination. Kamenetz connects daily life to spiritual longing, from the musical rhythms of his beloved New Orleans to his tender bond with Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, visionary founder of Jewish Renewal, and reflections on romantic poets like Walt Whitman.

Rodger Kamenetz is an award-winning poet, author and teacher. Of his 13 books, his best known is The Jew in the Lotus, the story of rabbis making a holy pilgrimage through India to meet with the Dalai Lama. His account of their historic dialogue became an international bestseller, prompting a reevaluation of Judaism in the light of Buddhist thought. Now in its 37th printing overall, The Jew in the Lotus is a staple of college religion courses. The New York Times called it a “revered text.” A PBS documentary followed, and a sequel, Stalking Elijah, was awarded the National Jewish Book Award for Jewish Thought.

Kamenetz’s many books of poetry include The Lowercase Jew, Yonder and Dream Logic. He has been called “the most formidable of the Jewish-American poets.” His memoir, Terra Infirma was described as “one of the most beautiful books ever written about a mother and a son.”