Seth Bornstein has written plays, short stories and essays. Swimming to Jerusalem is his first novel. Born in Brooklyn, he attended Parsons School of Design and has had a career in urban economic development with positions in the public, private and academic sectors. He has competed in international winter swimming competitions around the globe and has world records for taking the longest time to swim the shortest distances in the coldest waters. He resides in New York City with his wife, Diane Loughran.