Donate Life is dedicated to the idea that each of us has the power to save a life by donating blood, registering as a donor on our driver license, or participating in medical research. These common actions exemplify the highest form of tzedakah (as defined by Maimonides) in which the donor and the receiver do not need to know one another, yet the gift enables the beneficiary to recovery and become a contributing member of society. Donating blood, becoming an organ donor, or participating in medical research can literally change a person’s life.
Post-consumer recycled tin cans, brass, sterling silver rivets, Plexiglas, paint, aluminum rivets, brass, and stainless screws.
Dimensions: 11” H x 8.5” W x 6” D
Available for purchase or exhibition
Tzedakah Side 1 - Institute for Medical Research
Tzedakah Side 2 - graffiti on I.Magnin & Co building
Tzedakah Top view - Donate Life
Tzedakah Side 3 Donate Life / Side 4 Organ Donation
The tin used for this tzedakah box portrays the iconic I. Magnin building in San Francisco, California.
The tin has been repurposed as a tzedakah box. This is similar to how older buildings in San Francisco are renovated for a new purpose. The theme highlights contemporary forms of tzedakah such as participating in medical research, donating blood, and being an organ donor. Contributions that can “Donate Life.”
Tzedakah Side 1 Institute of Medical Research. Learn more about the fabrication of the Institute of Medical Research below:
Original drawing for the Institute for Health Research.
This side was going to have a sign lower at the street level, but then I decided to move it higher up on the building.
Paper mock-up of the parts and awning. I decided I didn't like this awning idea next to the awning that said Save a Life.
I used this building in downtown San Francisco, near the Contemporary Jewish Museum, as a model for my tzedakah box.
This is a photo from my studio as I was working on putting together the building facade and window.
Close-up view of the faux building architecture. The black window panes were all cut out from black tin cans and placed on top of a metallic tin to give the impression of windows.
Tzedakah Side 2 Graffiti painting and balconies.
Close-up of the fire escape balcony in progress.
I chose these ones at first, but they broke and melted.
Close-up of the fire escape balcony in progress.
Original drawing for graffiti painting.
Graffiti painting in progress.
Finished graffiti painting.
Tzedakah Side 3 & 4 Donate Blood, Save A Life, Be A Donor. Read about the fabrication process below:
Taping on the lettering for the first version Donate Blood and Safe a Life.
Donate Blood taped on and a paper awning for Save a Life.
Save Life letters on the metal awning.
Parking Karma sketch and parking sign all in paper
Parking Karma in progress with be a donor in paper
Be A Donor sign in progress
Parking garage drawing
Closeup of finished parking garage detail.
Donate Life and 7 other Judaica pieces of mine are featured in Modern Judaica: Today’s Makers, Todays Sacred Objects*, by Jim Cohen.
*This is an affiliate link provided for your convenience.
Register online to become an organ donor at: http://organdonor.gov/index.html On this site you can register with your local state DMV to become an organ donor. All ages and health profiles are needed. Registration is free.