Susan Felix redux (readable version)

Below is a larger font version of my note about Susan Felix's contribution to the First Gathering event.

Note: I first met Susan Felix in R. Diane Elliot’s class on Joy, shortly after moving to the Bay area in 2009. In class, and when we would cross path’s at Chochmat Halev (where I often visualize her joyfully dancing) and elsewhere, she struck me as a warm loving spirit, someone good to know. It didn’t sink in until a bit later that Susan was also the gifted artist whose YHVH, along with other wonderful pieces, had been installed at Chochmat. I had been deeply touched by her YHVH, and found it to be a deep and profound compliment to the Susan I thought I knew. How wonderful, I thought, to capture all of that energy, all of the G-d spark, in my new home. I told Susan I would like to know whether she might have a piece of her work for when I moved in, and she warmly invited me to her studio to take a look. I had never imagined her one remaining YHVH would be waiting there for me. I felt both happiness and daunted by my good fortune. After all, YHVH is the unpronounceable name of G-d, considered by many too sacred to be used for common activities, some believe even including ordinary prayer. Heavy stuff. Susan understood perfectly my concerns and offered that she explains to her non-Jewish mystical friends that YHVH means “The Mystery.” I immediately knew that she had gifted me a powerful way to think about “All That Is” (akin to a variation of the same four letters, the Name of Havayah, or “the Name of Being/Existence,” from Kabbalah), embracing everything I had seen in her. What Susan didn’t know at that moment was that Sicily DeMiglio and I had a few days prior set sail on “The Tree of Life” project, the starting point and foundation for which was our shared appreciation for the Mystery of All That Is. The Mystery that among other things brought these two gifted artists together through me, each of them in their own way bringing light and love into my home, as part of creating a safe, sacred space both for self and community. It was and is perfect.

Mark 2010