avanot for Rosh Hashana

Hi. My name is Tanya Lewis and I have been a member of the DJC for almost two years. It is a privilege to be asked to speak publicly within this community this morning.

We are asked during the holidays to think about what we will create in the coming year, what changes we will make. When I think of creation, I picture someone alone in a room waiting for inspiration. I have trouble waiting quietly. What I have experienced as creative is jumbled up in efforts to find meaning in daily life. It has also meant scary times of stepping out of the familiar in order to live with more authenticity and passion.

I have four thoughts on creativity in daily life that stand out for me.
The first is playfulness. Mired in the daily, overwhelmed by its demands, I often just try to survive. I forget playfulness, connection and laughter. I forget the importance of paying attention to how I am working and living with others, and only focus on what I accomplish. I forget that often the best work is fun and that creative solutions come from play. My favourite example is that of a former teacher’s mother who cleaned her cucumbers by running them through the washing machine before pickling them.

My second thought on creativity in daily life is that of holding on through a long haul at home or at work while being prepared for surprises. Over Labour Day weekend, I was back in the world of living with a three and six year old. Back trying to hang onto my patience while meeting their multiple and conflicting demands, of carefully negotiating what seems trivial to me and not to them, of embracing what is required of me that I didn’t expect, of learning humility by teaching through my worst moments. When the third morning came, I wasn’t sure I could it again until a small blonde head peeked around the corner of my bedroom door and my heart melted. The path forward whether it is at home or work can be unexpected.

The third aspect of creativity is that of standing back. Lynne Raskin who is a DJC Board member and a friend is currently travelling in Turkey and Greece. In a recent email she wrote:

As I stood gazing at the three meter thick walls of Troy built to defend against attacks, I realized it takes moving away from the places in our lives where we are defended, to enable us to open up to feel without fear, to really see the beauty around us and to realign what needs to matter.

When we open up, we often step away from the familiar into uncharted water. This is the fourth aspect of creativity. For me this happens about every ten years and mostly it’s scary. Each time more of myself has come to life.

In 1989 I was married with two young children. I came out, left the marriage and began learning to co parent{sic] well.

In 1999 I wrote publically[sic] about the violence that shaped my childhood to challenge the dominance of medical models in framing sexual abuse.

In 2007 I became a Jew by Choice[sic]

In 2009, 20 years after the first stepping out, I hope for another.

These were both hard choices and good decisions that shaped my life, those of my children and challenged those around me.

Mine are tiny steps. My question is how do we make the link between what we know about living creatively to how we approach larger social issues such as war, economic and social disparities, and environmental destruction.

So, in the coming year how might we mobilize playfulness, taking stock, stepping out of line and courage through a long haul? I invite you to check out the next phase of the DJC Listening Campaign which will be thinking about diversity, caregiving struggles, or getting involved in environmental issues. Shana Tova.

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