Meet Benny, Yonit, & Shakeid from Israel

Meet Benny (grandfather), Yonit (grandmother), Shakeid (granddaughter) from Israel Benny and Yonit met in the Israeli Army 45 years ago. Last week they celebrated 41 years of marriage. As children, they both attended boarding schools where they primarily learned about agriculture. In school, Yonit was drawn to art and Benny was drawn to mechanics. When Yonit graduated, she entered into the military as a map painter and Benny became specialized in mechanics. After her service, Yonit went on to have a career in graphic design and now owns her own studio where she teaches modern embroidery. Her art encompasses both modern and traditional techniques. She works with many different styles and mediums. Incredibly, some of her work is painstakingly crafted on delicate leaves. Benny is now a project manager for computer systems at Motorola. They currently are in the United States for two weeks to visit family. Shakeid, her two siblings, and her mother moved to the United States a year ago to flee the war. Her father is still working in Israel and travels back and forth between the two countries to see his wife and children. Shakeid is very musically inclined. She plays piano and violin fluently. She said, “I miss home. I have a dog at home named Pistachio. He lives with my grandparents for now. We couldn’t bring him to the United States. I also have friends back home that I miss very much. I look forward to the day when we can return home.” When Shakeid grows up she hopes to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and become an artist. The language of art is one of the most profound and universal forms of communication. It transcends borders, cultures, and spoken language, while speaking directly to the human experience. It has the power to express what is difficult or impossible to say in words. It captures emotions, injustices, beauty, and complexity in a way that is felt rather than just understood. Through color, form, sound, or movement, it stirs empathy, reflection, or even discomfort. It builds bridges and fosters connection. Whether it’s through shared stories, cultural traditions, or global exhibitions, it creates common ground. In a divided world, the language of art can be a force of unity, creating empathy and mutual understanding where words often divide. It holds memory and preserves the past, reflects the present, and can even project the future. The stories told through cave paintings, symphonies, or virtual reality experiences show that art evolves with humanity, always finding new ways to speak. While art might not “change the world” in a traditional sense like policy or science might, it can spark change in people and people change the world. The one thing Shakeid wants to tell the world is, “Love really does matter. Love creates peace.” Thank you so much for visiting.