Jacaruso family collaborates to tell Ahmed’s story

The Jacarusos are a family bound together by the arts. Father Jac and son Luca are musicians who both also work in the technology space, and Mimi is a poet and a visual artist, known for her organic textile sculptures and wall hangings, prints and collages. The three have woven their individual talents, and commitment to the human community, into a song based on a poem by Mimi, which finds hope and inspiration in another family’s loving response to a terrible loss.

“Ahmed” is the story of Ahmed Khatib, a 12-year-old Palestinian boy shot and killed by an Israeli sniper in a camp in Jenin in 2005. His parents decided to donate his organs, knowing they would save Israeli lives, and hoping this would advance the cause for peace. A story in the Chicago Tribune reported that at least eight Israeli lives were saved by this gift. Ahmed’s father, Ismail, was quoted as saying “Maybe a child who received an organ from my son will grow up to be a leader and put an end to this aggression.”

Mimi says that the goal of the project is to “honor the children killed in war and symbolize what we need to change to build a better world,” in the hope that Ahmed, and “the multitude of lost children will not have died in vain.” She says that Jac has been testing the song at his live shows, and that he will record it soon with Luca, a pianist who graduated from the Idyllwild Arts Academy and the USC Thornton School of Music. Jac adds that he is more focused on performing now, and Luca on recording his own original compositions.

The Jacarusos came to Idyllwild 14 years ago searching for an arts school for Luca. Jac says that “IAA was an incredible fit. Luca worked with Marshall (Hawkins) and Paul (Carman.) We thought we would be going home when he graduated.” Jac was deeply rooted in New York. His grandmother had come over from Italy through Ellis Island and settled in Brooklyn. Jac established himself in the live and studio music scenes on the east coast. “I made a million friends there that I still talk to.”

While Luca studied, Jac continued to work in the tech field on the east coast, commuting from Idyllwild, which was working its magic on the elder Jacarusos. “We were drawn to the vibration of the community. I think the power of this community was compelling me to keep me here and leave my past, my roots.”

Jac says that Luca is now “finding his niche as a composer.” Like his father, Luca also works in computer technology. “He’s publishing scientific papers, one in conjunction with Harvard. He’s writing music and working as a senior developer and programmer, developing applications in the entrepreneurial path, people are using these tools. Mimi and I very proud, wishing him much success.”

But Jac is quick to turn around the question of a son following in his father’s footsteps. “I’m following in his footsteps. He brought us out here. He is always turning us on to new things. He had an artist’s residency in Iceland and turned us on to the beauty of that place. The papers he is writing are very AI-based. My living was running technology for some very big companies, he is leading the way there. We continue to grow as a family, and he is leading the charge.”

Ahmed

Lyrics by Mimi Jacaruso

Oh Ahmed

When the future rests on your father broken heart

Life redeemed by a child

So that peace could endure

Oh Ahmed

When on both sides now

People will stop and open wide

It should not be so difficult

Oh Ahmed

When the red rivers run dry

Peace could endure

It should not be so difficult

Oh Ahmed

When all the checkpoints will fall

All will forget

They never saw a good day

Peace will endure

It should not be so difficult

Sins Forgiven

Tears forgotten

Fathers and sons

Lives worth living

Actions redeemed

Past will be learned

And peace will earn