"Restores a faith in life itself." - Dig Boston

Lilith is a study of the story of the first woman, created as Adam’s equal, who rebelled against Adam and fled Eden.  This character is explored as a figure from ancient texts who has been re-envisioned and reclaimed in modern feminist thought.​

In an outdoor, group version, Lilith involves dancers of all ages in an invocation of the spirit of resilient, untamed and indomitable femininity that Lilith embodies.  The group version of Lilith premiered at Boston University in May 2013.​   

As a solo, it begins with creation. In a space dark as a womb, Lilith appears to be suspended in and surrounded by this pre-creation environment.  She begins to take shape, and we  follow her through her early history, her conflict with Adam, her escape.  We view facets of her through the lenses that history, art and religion have viewed her – as the serpent who offers the apple to Eve, as a winged creature, a temptress, as an aggrieved mother a thousand times over.  We view these reflections through the mirror of Lilith's own mind, as she lives and re-lives her own memories.  The piece culminates with Lilith in her fully realized form, a combination of all of these facets – a dragon-like woman, magical and unconstrained.  The solo Lilith was premiered in NYC at Green Space in May 2013 as part of the Take Root presenting series.        ​

The creation of Lilith was originally inspired by the sculpture of the same title by Kiki Smith.  The development of the narrative has been inspired and accompanied by the poetry of Keith Tornheim, with whom Jehlen is collaborating to publish a book of poetry and images of Lilith, as well as extensive research into literary references dating back to the epic, Gilgamesh.​

Lilith's creation has been supported by the BU Jewish Cultural Endowment, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Boston Foundation's Brother Thomas Fellowship, the Cambridge Arts Council and a Commission from Connecticut College's Ammerman Center for Art and Technology.