Heart Map and the Song of Our Ancestors

by Kandace Boos (Illustrator), Devon Spier, Kevin Romoser

Heart Map and the Song of Our Ancestors is for the reluctant and the yearning. It is for those of us who crave a Jewish path that makes sense out of life but embraces us right where we are. For anyone who has encountered a barrier to Judaism, Heart Map invites Jews without community, or Jews in struggle with community, to know that where they are, right now, is totally and completely Jewish and authentic. Revealing everything from tattoos to griefs that go beyond just death, the book also presents the unexpected joys of Jewish life and the wandering that takes us to find Jewish significance and blessing at every moment of our weird and winding way. Combining the radical new genre of contemporary piyyutim (Jewish liturgical poems) with visual images of Jews as they really are and live, Devon Spier reminds us that people matter and that the Jewish story has all of us in it. For we are not only part of our ancestors but our ancestors are actually us.

126 pages, Paperback

Published June 23, 2018

Reviews

[Hannah]

This book was gorgeous and liminal - filled with a sense of both longing and coming home. It is a multi-layered experience that should be cherished. A book to be shared!

[Max · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devon doesn't write poetry. Her gift is a profound connection to the noumenal in which she becomes a conduit for spiritual and emotional truths that manifest in gorgeous purple language that shakes every atom of your being. To read Devon's words are to be joined in some brief intercourse with her soul and the cosmos. Don't be afraid when prodigious rivers of tears cascade down your cheeks. They are an expression of the awesome energy on every page of this book. As a fellow Jew, I am well versed in the power of the written word in our faith, and how over thousands of years some of those words grew in strength as they were passed down from generation to generation. It is my sincere hope that the words of my good friend Devon are passed down in such a way. A liturgy that welcomes all with soul penetrating hugs (Jews and non-Jews alike) and tells all, particularly those of the faith, about the strangeness and specialness of life, of community, and the most incredible force ever conceived... love.

[Eden]

Are these poems or prayers? Is my heart breaking or fortifying? Devon’s deeply Jewish yet appealing-to-any-heart poetry is a divinely every-day gift, that blurs such binaries. I come back to these pages and always find something new. A new inflection point, a tear waiting to be shed. Read these poems for connection and healing that is rooted and rebellious at the same time. It’s so exciting to see the Torah that is happening here.

[Isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devon Spier’s poetry is so incredibly beautiful, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. I first found out about Devon through twitter and was completely enamored by their tweets that contained such captivating poetry. I was so happy to find out I could support Devon and own a book with the poetry that inspires me. I highly recommend this book to everyone I know and don’t know

[Zahava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devon’s poems are truly the most stunning prayers to the Ceaseless Becomer (what a beautiful name for G-d), and reading her words is a spiritual experience in and of itself. There were moments after a poem that I just had to stop to catch my breath because her thoughts and belief system is such a privilege to behold.

I keep coming back again and again. You should, too.

[Howard Glantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

there are no words - Devon has them all

It’s a very meaningful collection the only thing that I would caution that it doesn’t lay out nicely for some kindles.

On my iPad and on my laptop it looks just fine and the poetry is divine.

[Arnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply personal and moving poems of Judaism, struggles and healing. Poems often include biblical and Talmudic texts.

[E. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Devon does a lot with creative typefaces I guess which I was used to from seeing this type of work before but I found that on kindle I couldn't tell what was a typo so I literally couldn't read this.