“Yad LaKashish is our second home. It is wonderful to come here every day.”

Avraham (83) and Berta (83) immigrated to Israel from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Theirs is a tale of love spanning decades and continents. For over ten years, Avraham and Berta have come to Yad LaKashish together. Here he works in the paper mache department painting beads and she knits creative gifts.

Berta and Avraham were Zionists from a young age. Avraham was a master piano technician in both Argentina and Israel. As an educator in Argentina, Berta would meet visiting Israeli dignitaries, among them Prime Minister David Ben Gurion, who encouraged them to immigrate. Avraham and Berta immigrated in 1983.

In Israel, Berta taught adults and new immigrants and greatly enjoyed the experience. “We came to Israel as Zionists, and were welcomed with great love. There were also difficult moments, but I’m deeply tied to our homeland.”

The couple heard of Yad LaKashish from a sister-in-law who worked in the embroidery department and Berta decided to join her. When Berta started, she was placed in the ceramics department. Her many years as a Jewish text teacher gave her familiarity with the Hebrew alphabet and she enjoyed writing the letters. Later, as her eyesight began to weaken, she transferred to the knitting department.

At first, Avraham did not work at Yad LaKashish. He would bring Berta to work each day and then go into town and return later to pick her up. After a short while of doing this, he realized, “if I am already going there each day I might as well work!” So, Avraham started in the paper mache workshop.

Avraham and Berta live in Gilo and enjoy their time on the bus. They have fun people watching and looking at all of the scenery on their way to work. Avraham speaks great Hebrew and enjoys talking to his work partner, Subhee, who is originally from the Galilee. Avraham also loves to greet groups and tell them about his sons who live around the world.

Avraham says: “Yad LaKashish is our second home. It is wonderful to come here every day.” Berta and Avraham take great pride in their craft and inspire visitors!