By Ben Vorspan
On July 17, 1955, Walt Disney stood before an eager crowd at the grand opening of Disneyland and delivered an address that would resonate through the ages. In his speech, Disney said, “Here age relives fond memories of the past… and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future.” Notably, he emphasized the past and the future but did not mention the present. This omission is more than a rhetorical choice; it is a profound statement about the role that we play as creatives and dreamers in society.
Disney’s focus on the past and future underscores the idea that our present is a fleeting moment, a bridge between what has been and what can be. At the Sulam for Imagineers, we have often recognized that our job is to honor the legacy of the past while envisioning and building a better future. This forward-thinking mindset encourages us to be perpetual learners, innovators, and visionaries, never content to simply exist in the present but always striving to create something new and meaningful.
Being perpetual innovators, or “dreamers,” is no small feat. It requires a relentless pursuit of new ideas, unwavering commitment to creativity, and the courage to take risks and face failures. Let’s be honest—our board and staff meetings may be filled with risk-tolerant individuals eager to share and pursue bold ideas, but we rarely see that side of them surface. Our primary focus on guiding our synagogues often keeps us grounded in the present, pushing the challenges and promises of the future to the back burner.
Even for those eager to be dreamers, the task is far from easy. As the former Creative Director at Temple Aliyah, I’ve seen how my own lack of open-mindedness and fear of failure could quickly stifle creativity, even among those of us with “creative” in our job titles.
As Jews, we have a concise list of 10 values to guide our moral compass. It’s time we have one to guide our creative compass as well!
At the start of each Sulam for Imagineers session, our teams of dreamers will review our 10 Commandments of Creativity.
The Sulam for Imagineers 10 Commandments of Creativity
- We Shall Embrace Curiosity: Always question, explore, and seek out new experiences and knowledge.
- We Shall Overcome Fear: Do not let the fear of failure or judgment hinder our creative expression.
- We Shall Experiment Boldly: Take risks and try new approaches without being afraid to make mistakes.
- We Shall Collaborate Freely: Engage with others, share ideas, and build on each other’s creativity.
- We Shall Stay Open-Minded: Welcome diverse perspectives and be willing to change our thinking.
- We Shall Nurture Imagination: Dedicate time to dream, visualize, and let our minds wander.
- We Shall Seek Inspiration: Draw inspiration from nature, art, people, and everyday life.
- We Shall Persist Relentlessly: Pursue our creative endeavors with determination and resilience.
- We Shall Value Playfulness: Incorporate play and fun into our creative process to spark innovation.
- We Shall Reflect Regularly: Take time to reflect on our creative journey, learn from experiences, and continuously improve.
Participants are encouraged to print this list and keep it visible not only during Sulam for Imagineers meetings but also in their daily lives. Inspiration can strike anywhere. Playfulness and experimentation should be constant. Reflection and collaboration shouldn’t be reserved for the third Wednesday of each month from 10-11:15am.
Whether you join the inaugural Sulam for Imagineers cohort or not, we invite you to make this list a part of your routine too! Click here to print a copy of the 10 Commandments of Creativity and keep it at your desk, laminate it for places where you think best—like the shower, treadmill, or car dashboard—or attach it to the back of your notebook for quick reference during meetings. If you’re feeling particularly extroverted, you might even use it as your Zoom background!
If you believe your synagogue could use a creativity boost, it’s not too late to join us by registering today for The Sulam for Imagineers. We’re going to achieve extraordinary things and apply lessons from the most innovative thinkers, including Disney Imagineers. We’re also going to set the present aside and focus on the future – not just on what has yet to be done, but on what has never been done.
Each session will capture the same sense of childlike wonder and excitement inspired by Walt Disney’s opening day remarks and echoed by the plaque above the Magic Kingdom’s entrance: “Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.”
Ben Vorspan is the former Creative Director at Temple Aliyah (now HaMakom), author of The Nonprofit Imagineers, and is creating and running The Sulam for Imagineers, which will kick off November 2024.
Sulam for Imagineers (SFI) will be co-led by Linda Sussman, METNY Synagogue Consultant.
