David Sterne

I am a graduate of U of Califronia with a degree and biology and of Long Island University with a masters in education.  I have always wanted to be a writer and I found myself drawn to spiritual topics.  I spent years studying Judaism in the US as well as Israel, and I found a niche translating important books on Jewish mysiticism with the goal of making them accessible to the English public, both Jewish and non-Jewish. My first book was a translation of the most important book on Jewish meditation. 

Interview

1. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I'm a California guy from a middle class Jewish background who midway through college got interested in my Jewish heritage. I went to Israel, got into studying Jewish sources and never looked back.  I finished college, did an MSc in education and became a rabbi and author.

2. Describe your book Inner Lights from Jerusalem in 30 words or less. 

"Inner Lights from Jerusalem" is a combination of wisdom on the Torah from a modern Chasidic master, the "Shem miShmuel" (R' Shmuel Borenstein), and my own insights based upon Chabad Chasidic sources.

3. What was the hardest part of writing your book?

The greatest difficulty is making sure that I am quoting and explaining the original sources accurately.

4. What books have had the greatest influence on you?

Well, that depends on what period of my life.  For example, while in college, I was greatly influenced by Oswald Spengler's "The Decline of Western Civilization."  Since then, of course I have been most influenced by Jewish primary sources, and most of all by Chabad Chasidic sources.

5. Briefly share with us what you do to market your book?

I market on Facebook (tho I admit that I am not consistent enough), and send out weekly email blasts to friends and supporters.  I post on Facebook and I also blog at least once a week (jerusalemconnection.org/weekly, as well as on www.jewishspiritualbooks.com and chabadjerusalem.org.

6. How do you spend your time when you are not writing?

When not writing, I study (there is a huge never-ending well of Jewish spiritual sources to "drink from"), I teach and counsel, and occasionally watch pro football...

7. What are you working on next?

I am currently working on a new version of the Jewish prayerbook including Chasidic commentaries...

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