Israeli family wants region to be known for more than war

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - 27 countries on four continents ought to do it.  When Chami and Oksana Zemach plotted their yearlong journey around the world, their goal was to meet as many people in as many places as possible.  During their visit to K.C. Tuesday they appeared to be well on their way. 

The Zemach's are making this journey to tout Israel as something other than a country that's being torn apart by the Arab-Israeli conflict.  To that end they are speaking to groups, showing a video, and trying to have as much face to face interaction as they can with people around the world.

Chami Zemach says the result has been a general realization that people from different places have much in common.  He and his family are making themselves available to answer questions about daily life in Israel while calling attention to the country's contributions in the knowledge economy and agriculture. 

They are not taking any formal position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict although they say they don't mind if people ask them about it.  Zemach says the family has no connection to any government or political organization, and is trying to meet people from all different faiths and backgrounds.

The Zemach children, Gali, 13, Tamar, 11, and Michal, 4, are being homeschooled while they travel.  The family visited 11 countries in Europe before coming to the U.S.   They are in the midst of driving from the east coast to California.  Chami and Oksana own a company that make sauces and jams in the Negev region of Israel.