• Interview on svinews.com with Mitchell Schwab and my three trips into Israel.
This week we have an interview on SVInews.com as it pertains to all thats happening in and around Israel.
He is currently a member of the 2023 Senate Labor, Health & Social Services Committee and Chairman of the 2023 Senate Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee
Star Valley attorney Mitchell Schwab shared his experiences as he joined an organization, Philos Project, that offered in-depth educational experiences by studying and visiting Israel, the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
This has been an interesting part of the world, throughout history, and as it continues to be that way in our day.
I found that to be case in my three different trips into Israel over the years.
I was introduced to the country by my late Jewish friend Norman Mogul.
Norm, as I called him, helped Star Valley Health (Star Valley Medical Center) with their foundation. It was through that position that I got to know him.
Norm noticed my interest in traveling to unique places around the world, three times into Africa, Romania and Mongolia to name a few.
One day he asked if I would like to meet his friends on a trip into Israel.
I asked my wife Kim if she was interested in making the trip with me? At the time it was unsettled in region, so she passed.
With my oldest son’s Aaron’s high school graduation nearing, I asked if I might bring him along for the experience. With hesitation she agreed, noting the simple instructions, “bring him home safe.”
Norm, and his friends Yacov and Arik showed Aaron and I around the country with overnight accommodations at wonderful Jewish family homes in various Kibbutz.
I can recall sitting out on the porch one night of one family home and asking what the lights were across this little valley, about the distance of Grover to Auburn.
They responded, “Ramallah.”
Shocked at the proximity, I asked, “The headquarters of the PLO?”
They acknowledged some problems for their neighbors coming and going from their Kibbutz over the years. One had recently lost their life to a sniper while traveling to a nearby community.
Can you imagine if we feared something like that in our travels between Alpine and Thayne or Smoot to Afton. We don’t understand that kind of fear and tensions.
So for the time period we are experiencing today, I hope and pray for the families in Israel and Gaza.
I wish we could say there will be a conclusion, but I don’t know that we’ll experience it this time around.
