06/16/2026
Back in Israel - Day 21
Graduation day.
Yesterday we woke up still not knowing who would pass and who would not.
Even with all my training, certifications, and instructor experience, I questioned myself. Not because I am incapable, but because this was a challenging program. My back went out, I had to fight through that, and I was tested with new content, new standards, and new pressure.
Yesterday was a day to process and take it all in.
As a team, we woke up later. Sadly, not me. I was still awake at 5:45 AM. We met around 8:45 and started a hike down into a natural spring in the desert of the West Bank, an area where Jeremiah traveled. We learned about the history of the land and how the desert is where some of the greatest leaders were forged.
Our instructor told us the reason we spent so much time in the desert, and the reason we were concluding our time in the desert, is because this is where leaders are forged.
So we hiked down into a large canyon and took a dip in the spring.
When we returned, we were asked three questions and given time to come up with our answers.
Question 1: One hard skill I am taking with me.
Learning how to use Jewish history, resilience, and lived experience to motivate communities to take action before a threat reaches them. Security is not just tactics, weapons, or procedures. It is helping people understand why preparation matters and creating the willingness to stand up and protect themselves, their families, and their communities before anything happens.
Question 2: One soft skill I learned about myself.
I learned that while I often have a way of doing things that works, there may be other ways to accomplish the same goal. By remaining open-minded and willing to learn from others, I create opportunities for better outcomes. Not because one way is necessarily right or wrong, but because different approaches can produce different results, and sometimes those results are better than what I originally imagined.
Question 3: Something I want to remember.
I want to remember the moment I watched the first group of Jewish people stand up and choose action over complacency. My hope is that this becomes an Aish, a spark that ignites many others to prepare, protect, and strengthen their communities before anything happens.
Some very kind words were said to me by the Jewish people in the group and by the instructors. They told me I reminded them of Yad Vashem, of the trees planted for non-Jewish people recognized as Righteous Among the Nations. They told me that, in their eyes, the work I have done for the Jewish people holds great meaning because I am choosing to do it before something happens.
That deeply impacted me.
As a non-Jewish man, to be welcomed, trusted, and honored in that way is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
After that, we cleared out our quarters and headed to the Mount of Olives for our graduation ceremony.
I am proud to share that I passed the program, completed the testing, and graduated after two weeks of intense training, stress, lessons, and growth.
There is more coming from this project that I cannot fully share yet, but please stay tuned.
Great things are ahead.
We will continue working to enhance safety, strengthen preparedness, and help the communities we serve become more resilient before anything happens.
