Sister Honors Kim Damati’s Life Through Glass Art After Her Tragic Death in Nova Festival Attack

Laura Damati, a student at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, created a glass art project commemorating her younger sister Kim Damati, who was brutally murdered during the Hamas attack at the Nova Festival on October 7. The project, displayed at Bezalel’s recent graduate exhibition, uses glass objects to narrate Kim’s life story and identity, symbolizing both fragility and resilience.

Kim Damati, 22, was killed while sheltering in a bunker near Kibbutz Re’im during the attack. Her close friend Omer Vankert, who was with her, was abducted to Gaza and released after 505 days in captivity in February 2025. Kim was born in Gedera in June 2001, was active in youth basketball and scouting, volunteered in Yeruham, and served as a naval simulator instructor in the Israeli Navy.

Laura described Kim as full of life, a supportive friend, and someone who always helped others. After military service, Kim worked in the family falafel business and planned to obtain a skipper license and study marine biology, a passion reflected in Laura’s artwork. The project features personal symbols such as the "Bird of Paradise" flower, representing strength and royalty, and the Irish clover, honoring their mother’s Irish heritage.

Laura explained that creating this memorial art has been her way to process grief and keep Kim’s memory alive amid the immense pain following the attack. She emphasized the difficulty of capturing a whole life in symbols but hopes the work allows others to connect with Kim’s generosity and spirit. Laura’s dedication aims to ensure Kim is not forgotten in the aftermath of the tragedy.