Arcadi Z., 91, is one of the most veteran artisans at Yad LaKashish.

Born in Kharkov, Ukraine in 1928, Arcadi was orphaned at the outset of World War II. Soon after, he joined the Navy, serving in a submarine unit, rising to the rank of lieutenant. After completing his military service, Arcadi worked in a factory manufacturing equipment for the Soviet Space Program. There he met a bookkeeper name Rosa and they got married in 1956. Rosa was also born Kharkov and recalls many hardships including her school being bombed and being evacuated to a camp with little food and a great deal of antisemetic abuse.

In 1991, the pair immigrated to Israel, leaving behind family, property and their pensions. They struggled to find meaningful work, given their advanced age and lack of Hebrew, and were forced to subsist on inadequate social security. In time they heard about Yad LaKashish, and in 1992, Arcadi joined the ceramics department, where he has been working ever since.

Arcadi provides the final quality control check as he carefully packages ceramic products for sale in the gift shop. He is humble and devoted to his work, and is held in high regard by his fellow artisans. In 2006, Rosa joined the textile department. Both enjoy their work very much, appreciate their daily hot nutritious lunch and are particularly grateful for the friendships they have formed at Yad LaKashish.