This blog (by Zeev Barkan) is dedicated to the Star of David, its history, its various meanings and usages in different cultures. It includes thousands of pictures of Star of David, six-pointed stars, hexagrams, Solomon's Seals, Magen Davids and yellow badges,and served as a resource for three books and four art exhibitions.
Photo of Star of David made from matches is courtesy of Hayim Shtayer. Eyal Gershon, second year student in Wizo Design Academy in Haifa, under the instruction of Hayim Shtayer, designed it in 2005 while there was in the air in Israel a possibility of war between brothers because of the evacuation of settlements in Gaza Strip.I wonder if there is a divide between Judaism and Israel as it is now. Last year, I helped create a series of workshops for Muslim youth, with a few Jews and Christians participating. At the end, they created a mural about their hopes for the future. On the mural was the Star of David. One of the young men who helped with the project said that a few of the children felt very comfortable acknowledging Judaism through the Star of David, but not the Israeli flag. One of the boys said he sees the flag as an oppressive symbol, but sees the Star of David as a religious symbol that in Islam must be respected and honored, because the Jews are the people of the Book. It's amazing that children can distinguish between the religion, the people, and the political situation, while adults have a hard seeing the difference.
Picture is courtesy of artist Ofer Rubin. This work takes part in an exhibition titled 60 years old [Israel] opens its eyesWood, glass, mirrors and candles
50 cm – 150 cm
This piece reflects the reality of living in Israel today showing the real side of our lives in wood and the illusionary side in mirrors and glass. Future abundance is represented in silver coins and crystals. In the center the Star of David symbolizes the end that is known to all of us.
Ofer Rubin, 45, from Rosh Pina, creates “Jerusalem Wind- chims” some of which are found all across Israel as memorials or as environmental sculptures.
