Star of David Art Shines on the Negev as a Beacon of Hope and Healing

 

Soroka Medical Center Unveils Monumental Public Art Installation by Marc Bennett

The History of the Star of David art installation has
remained on track with strong stakeholder support and is now on view in its permanent home at Soroka Medical Center. Artist and filmmaker Marc Bennett’s monumental artwork greets visitors, patients, and their families with its uplifting color palette depicting the enduring journey of the world’s most recognizable star. American Friends of Soroka Medical Center commissioned Bennett to create this installation, which is the largest of its kind, standing 16 feet tall and spanning 24 feet wide. This permanent public art installation produced on a striking stainless steel material shines as a beacon of hope throughout the redesigned Healing Garden adjacent to the Legacy Heritage Oncology Center and Dr. Larry Norton Institute at the campus in Be’er Sheva.

“This is a significant opportunity for Soroka to support its lifesaving mission through the healing power of art,” states Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld, Executive Director for
the American Friends of Soroka Medical Center. “While I’m in chemo treatment, I can look out of my room and see these gorgeous colors and imagine that I’m as strong as those stars looking back at me,” remarks an anonymous patient at Soroka.
The History of the Star of David installation at Soroka provides visitors with a unique cultural
experience that honors three pillars of Jewish heritage: education, tolerance, and giving. It is in
this spirit that Marc Bennett has partnered with Soroka Medical Center to share a powerful
message of hope and healing. Accompanying the installation will be an educational panel and
scannable QR code that reveals the many stories of perseverance as witnessed by Judaism’s
iconic star throughout the ages. In order to serve its multicultural population, all related
information is published in Hebrew, Arabic, and English. Soroka’s public art initiative is also
exploring collaborations with local and national tourism boards to welcome visiting tour groups,
student-led art tours, children’s art workshops, and other educational programs to enhance the
learning value of Bennett’s art. Soroka’s proximity to and partnership with Ben Gurion University places The History of the Star of David artwork at the center of Negev’s cultural hub, uniquely positioning the work to inspire visitors and promote cross-cultural engagement.

Prof. Itzhak Avital, Executive Medical Director of Soroka’s Comprehensive Cancer Center and
The Chairman of Surgery has shown enthusiasm for the project from its inception. Now that it is part of the campus he is moved by watching visitors, patients, and staff connect with the
powerful piece.
“This masterpiece is just what our garden needed. It’s a place to relax, ponder and gain
hope,” explains Avital. “If the Magan David survived so many tribulations, so too can the
cancer patient. It goes way beyond art.” Art in this case is healing, emotional,
inspirational, and may also be a source of sought-after supplemental funding. This installation
brings notoriety to the institution which helps with global donor development. There is also a
long-term vision for support through the assets of the art itself.
“The History of the Star of David art’s vibrant jewel-tone colors and images provide a plethora of
licensing opportunities for associated merchandise,” remarks Mindy Gale, CEO of Gale
Branding. “From charm bracelets to treasured tabletop items and Judaica pieces, these will
provide Soroka with a steady stream of support for generations to come.”

Looking to the future, the work of art is expected to generate significant revenue. Ten percent of worldwide art and art-related merchandise sales will go directly to Soroka. Branded
merchandise will be available for purchase on-site, online e-com, museum gift shops, Jewish
centers, and specialty stores around the world. The universal message of hope for the future told by each of the 18 stars featured in the piece reminds viewers that they too have the power to endure adversity through strength, perseverance, and faith.

About
The History of the Star of David by Marc Bennett is an artwork that explores the long and complex history of the
Star of David through 18 iterations of its use spanning centuries. The artwork allows viewers to bear witness to the
depths and heights of the journey of the Jewish people. The History of the Star of David artwork both inspires and
educates the public on the development of this symbol and the meanings it has come to represent as a result of its
proliferation from remote antiquity up to the current State of Israel in the twenty-first century. It evokes a sense of
survival and determination, as well as a celebration of Jewish culture, tradition, and faith. StarofDavidArt.com creative | pr | digital 531 West 25th Street NY, NY 10001 2 1 2 . 9 9 3 . 5 8 1 5 info@galebranding.com
galebranding.com

Marc Bennett is an artist and filmmaker from Brooklyn, NY, and is a member of the Directors Guild of America. He received his education at The Brooklyn Museum Art School and The School of Visual Arts in New York City. Bennett has been honored with the Art of California Magazine’s “Discovery Award,” the Stamford Art Association’s “Color The award,” the World Medal from the New York Festival’s Television Advertising Awards, and the Best Shorts
Competition “Outstanding Achievement Humanitarian Award,” which honors filmmakers who are bringing awareness to important issues and committed to making a difference in the world. His artwork has been used in campaigns to raise money and awareness for organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League, Hadassah, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and the Museum of Tolerance. Bennett’s artwork is part of many private and public collections and is on
display throughout the US and Israel. His directorial projects include the animated short film “The Tattooed Torah,” narrated by Ed Asner, which was named one of the tops “10 Films That Keep the Holocaust Fresh in Our Memories,” by The Wrap, and the upcoming feature-length documentary “For the Living,” an inspirational story about the annual bike ride from Auschwitz to the JCC Krakow. Bennett is committed to art and film as visual languages that entertain,
educate, enlighten, and inspire positive change worldwide. StarofDavidArt.com/the-artist
American Friends of Soroka Medical Center (AFS) is a New York State 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. AFS is a community of individuals, families, foundations, and businesses dedicated to supporting the vision and lifesaving work of Soroka Medical Center. AFS educates the U.S. public about Soroka’s breakthrough research and global impact, as well as cultivates philanthropic funding to ensure Soroka achieves its goals.

Soroka.org Soroka Medical Center is Israel’s leading healthcare institution, providing world-class healthcare for all. Located in Be’er Sheva, is the sole medical center for Negev, one of the country’s most diverse and fastest-growing regions. Soroka serves over 1.2 million residents, including over 400,000 children, servicing an area that comprises 60 percent of Israel’s landmass. With two medical schools, a proven record of producing groundbreaking research and life-saving treatments, as well as an extraordinary staff, Soroka offers exceptional healthcare for all, regardless of race, religion, or politics. This unique institution, founded in 1959, exemplifies a deep commitment to outstanding medical care, peaceful coexistence in action, and medical research and innovation that has a global impact.

New York Jewish Guide