Each of the following books focus on a journey. They represent both physical and spiritual journeys and geographically span the globe. These books take us from the haunting images of concentration camps, to a family’s bicycle adventure across the country, to Rabbi Nachman’s gravesite in Uman, to Debra Spark’s stories that blur the line between reality and fiction, the real and the surreal. As we approach Passover next month, and retell the biblical journey of the Jewish people from slavery, it’s fitting that these contemporary works remind us to continue the journey to understand our own Jewishness, where we come from and where we’re going, the importance of retelling the stories of the past, and to never stop asking questions.Check back here the week of April 23rd for Debra’s guest blog posts for the Visiting Scribe
A Sense of Direction: Pilgrimage for the Restless and the Hopeful, Gideon Lewis-Kraus (May 2012, Riverhead Books)
Find out what happens when Gideon travels with 40,000 Orthodox Jews to visit the gravesite of a Hasidic mystic in the Ukraine.



Originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Naomi is the CEO of Jewish Book Council. She graduated from Emory University with degrees in English and Art History and, in addition, studied at University College London. Prior to her role as executive director and now CEO, Naomi served as the founding editor of the JBC website and blog and managing editor of Jewish Book World. In addition, she has overseen JBC’s digital initiatives, and also developed the JBC’s Visiting Scribe series and Unpacking the Book: Jewish Writers in Conversation.