Community leaders turned out to the Museum of Tolerance on Nov. 15 to celebrate Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder and outgoing CEO of the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC), and for the unveiling of artwork honoring Hier.
Artist Marc Bennett’s work, “Into the Light,” is an original art piece, featuring a rich tapestry of archived images of Hier that form a collage assembled on angled metal panels. In the images, spanning decades, Hier appears with dignitaries in notable moments and as part of historical events. The mirrored panels create an intimate connection between the viewer and the depicted scenes.
The artwork is now a permanent piece in the main lobby of the museum for all to see and experience.
The event, meanwhile, honored Hier’s lifetime of service. It was held as Hier transitions at SWC to the role of founder and dean emeritus, as SWC recently announced Hier’s successor, media executive Jim Berk.
Marlene Hier in front of the artwork. Photo by Rich Prugh
