While visiting the Tel Aviv boardwalk with my sister back in March 2024, we stopped to watch a small child playing with a balloon. The child was completely unaware of the collective sadness surrounding us, moving with pure joy and freedom.
 
After centuries of persecution, you might expect our spirit to be dark and jaded, yet we continue to carry light in our souls, a joy that lets us sing loud and stand proud. As I kept painting this series, I felt that same lightness growing within me. I became more playful, more open, and stronger.
 
I chose not to paint the hand of persecution here, because I felt that even its shadow could not touch this child. Nothing could pull their attention away from the wonder of that balloon.