The Bublil family unveiled a new commemorative artwork, “The Living Light,” at the Club Hotel Eilat Lighthouse in memory of the late Moshe Bublil, the entrepreneur, businessman and owner of the Club Hotel chain, who was often referred to by relatives as the “Israeli Walt Disney.”
The ceremony was held on June 20, marking what would have been Bublil’s 72nd birthday, two years after his passing. According to the family, the artwork was created by Dan Spinella of the United States, described by the family as a Disney engineer of 36 years who designed the lighthouse lens used in A24’s 2019 film The Lighthouse, starring Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson.
A tribute built around ‘chai’
The artwork was designed around the number 18, which corresponds to the Hebrew word “chai,” meaning life. The family said the number, and its multiples, guided the creative concept behind the work, reflecting a theme that they said was central to Bublil’s life and philosophy.
The ceremony also marked a broader effort by the family to preserve Bublil’s legacy at Club Hotel Eilat, one of the flagship properties associated with his career in Israeli hospitality and family tourism.
‘The light of Moshe Bublil lives on’
Ben Bublil said the artwork was intended to bring his father’s spirit into the space in a visible and emotional way.
“The Living Light is an artwork that brings my father’s magic to life,” he said. “The light operates in the same manner as the flame of a historic lighthouse, emitting a warm 1800K glow.”
He said the illuminated body measures 18 inches in height, is positioned 1.80 meters above the floor and shines through two lenses covering a 180-degree angle, illuminating every 18 seconds.
“Today, the light of Moshe Bublil, the Israeli Walt Disney, lives on and shines upon all of us in a moving and magical way, just as my father illuminated the lives of others throughout his lifetime,” Ben Bublil added.
Legacy of family tourism
Moshe Bublil was closely associated with the development of the Club Hotel chain and with the growth of Club Hotel Eilat as a family-centered resort. Relatives and associates have described him as a businessman whose work combined hospitality, entertainment and a strong focus on families.
The new installation is part of the family’s effort to keep that image alive at the Eilat property, placing Bublil’s memory within the same hotel environment that became central to his public and business legacy.