Diane Turns Toward the Future
Donation protected
these are the days of turning
nights turn cold
leaves turn to yellow parchment
children turn to yell in the street
trucks turn left from the wrong lane
have you ever turned so fast, so long
that you felt still?
start slow, turn carefully
foot over foot
at this speed
you see everything
three hundred sixty degrees
the whole sphere
you see the direction you came from
and where you’re going
and the infinity of points between—
the possibles
now turn faster
peddling the feet
never stopping, speeding
’til all becomes a blur
moving color, formless form
’til what you see’s not outside
but within, the core round which you turn
that inside place of constant motion
which is also still
a deep place
from which you move out to embrace
and in to rest
o let us turn and turn
until we feel that place
simple sentient soul
steeped in grace
not afraid but wordless, awe-filled
whole
let us find that moving steady space
from which we can spin out
and grow
—Diane Elliot, New York City, 1978
Dear friends,
I wrote the poem above 40 years ago, at the age of 29, living in Manhattan, immersed in my international career as a dancer, choreographer, and movement teacher. “Turning,” then, meant something very specific, very visceral for me—the actual rotation of my body around its own central axis—though I clearly already had a sense of turning as something more, a kind of transformative act, a prayer.
It would be many years before I would come to understand “turning” as the core Jewish practice of teshuvah, that essential process of renewal and return that, as Jewish tradition teaches, makes the very existence of this world possible.
I’ve spent these past 20 years delving deeply into the rich legacies of Jewish wisdom, steeping in the texts and practices that many of my family members set aside when they made the arduous journey from various parts of Central Europe to America’s shores. I’ve felt compelled to live in the intersection of my very embodied dancer’s experience and the wisdom of both ancient sages and more contemporary teachers—to immerse myself as fully as I could in Yam Ha-Torah, the sea of Jewish learning, so that I could serve those of all generations seeking connection with the often-hidden riches of the Jewish path.
Your support over these years has buoyed and supported me in more ways than I can name, inspiring me to create and share new liturgy, poetry, movement practices and music, and to develop new teaching and leadership styles—new ways of rabbi-ing. In short, you’ve made it possible for me to contribute to the exciting and joyful healing and renewal of Jewish life in the second half of the 20th and now the 21st century.
As I approach my 70th birthday next April, I’m asking for your support again, to help me embark on an extended period of creative renewal—time to begin to organize my many writings and original music; time for personal reflection—to wander and dream; space to imagine my way into my next decade of learning and practice.
I’ve set a personal fundraising goal of $10,000 to support my 70th birthday sabbatical, my real first sabbatical in 20 years! Your generosity will help me dedicate a two-month period to breathing deeply, walking in the hills, meditating on the sky, preparing my two poetry manuscripts, beginning to record some original musical liturgy, and…..
Toward that end, here are some suggested levels of contribution, but please know that your support at any level is most appreciated.
$ 36+: Aretz (Earth), ground to stand on
$ 100+: Yam (Sea), awaken the flow
$ 250+: Shamayim (Sky), expand the vista
$ 500+: Raki’ah (Stratosphere), taking off
$1,000+: Kisey ha-Kavod (Throne of Glory), beyond the beyond
Any supporter willing to invest $70 or more will be acknowledged in writing in the next collection to roll off the presses. Stay tuned for more information – because you are partners in this sacred, creative process. And if you are able to contribute $500 or more (wow!), we’ll arrange something truly unique–a personally inscribed poem, a teaching session via zoom or phone, a copy of a liturgical song or niggun as it comes to life.
So many thanks in advance for your support.
With blessings and best wishes for the new year,
Diane
nights turn cold
leaves turn to yellow parchment
children turn to yell in the street
trucks turn left from the wrong lane
have you ever turned so fast, so long
that you felt still?
start slow, turn carefully
foot over foot
at this speed
you see everything
three hundred sixty degrees
the whole sphere
you see the direction you came from
and where you’re going
and the infinity of points between—
the possibles
now turn faster
peddling the feet
never stopping, speeding
’til all becomes a blur
moving color, formless form
’til what you see’s not outside
but within, the core round which you turn
that inside place of constant motion
which is also still
a deep place
from which you move out to embrace
and in to rest
o let us turn and turn
until we feel that place
simple sentient soul
steeped in grace
not afraid but wordless, awe-filled
whole
let us find that moving steady space
from which we can spin out
and grow
—Diane Elliot, New York City, 1978
Dear friends,
I wrote the poem above 40 years ago, at the age of 29, living in Manhattan, immersed in my international career as a dancer, choreographer, and movement teacher. “Turning,” then, meant something very specific, very visceral for me—the actual rotation of my body around its own central axis—though I clearly already had a sense of turning as something more, a kind of transformative act, a prayer.
It would be many years before I would come to understand “turning” as the core Jewish practice of teshuvah, that essential process of renewal and return that, as Jewish tradition teaches, makes the very existence of this world possible.
I’ve spent these past 20 years delving deeply into the rich legacies of Jewish wisdom, steeping in the texts and practices that many of my family members set aside when they made the arduous journey from various parts of Central Europe to America’s shores. I’ve felt compelled to live in the intersection of my very embodied dancer’s experience and the wisdom of both ancient sages and more contemporary teachers—to immerse myself as fully as I could in Yam Ha-Torah, the sea of Jewish learning, so that I could serve those of all generations seeking connection with the often-hidden riches of the Jewish path.
Your support over these years has buoyed and supported me in more ways than I can name, inspiring me to create and share new liturgy, poetry, movement practices and music, and to develop new teaching and leadership styles—new ways of rabbi-ing. In short, you’ve made it possible for me to contribute to the exciting and joyful healing and renewal of Jewish life in the second half of the 20th and now the 21st century.
As I approach my 70th birthday next April, I’m asking for your support again, to help me embark on an extended period of creative renewal—time to begin to organize my many writings and original music; time for personal reflection—to wander and dream; space to imagine my way into my next decade of learning and practice.
I’ve set a personal fundraising goal of $10,000 to support my 70th birthday sabbatical, my real first sabbatical in 20 years! Your generosity will help me dedicate a two-month period to breathing deeply, walking in the hills, meditating on the sky, preparing my two poetry manuscripts, beginning to record some original musical liturgy, and…..
Toward that end, here are some suggested levels of contribution, but please know that your support at any level is most appreciated.
$ 36+: Aretz (Earth), ground to stand on
$ 100+: Yam (Sea), awaken the flow
$ 250+: Shamayim (Sky), expand the vista
$ 500+: Raki’ah (Stratosphere), taking off
$1,000+: Kisey ha-Kavod (Throne of Glory), beyond the beyond
Any supporter willing to invest $70 or more will be acknowledged in writing in the next collection to roll off the presses. Stay tuned for more information – because you are partners in this sacred, creative process. And if you are able to contribute $500 or more (wow!), we’ll arrange something truly unique–a personally inscribed poem, a teaching session via zoom or phone, a copy of a liturgical song or niggun as it comes to life.
So many thanks in advance for your support.
With blessings and best wishes for the new year,
Diane
Organizer
Diane Elliot
Organizer
El Sobrante, CA
