Krav Maga is a self-defense system developed for the IDF based on techniques sourced from boxing, wrestling, aikido, judo and karate. It is known for its focus on real-world situations and extreme efficiency at disarming an attacker.
As a concerned Flatbush resident, I contacted the Krav Maga Academy in the City regarding the possibility of creating a specialized program for the community.
The Founder and chief instructor of the Academy is Matan Gavish, a former Krav Maga officer for a special-ops unit in the IDF. Matan has trained US Navy Seals, US Army Rangers and is actively working with NYPD Tactical Training Unit in design, practice and implementation of Krav Maga for the New York Police Academy. He brings over 15 years of military, law enforcement and civilian training experience, and his training style has been featured in National Geographic, CBS, FOX, Anderson Cooper, the British BBC, Shape Magazine, New York Times, Woman’s Day, and the Washington Post.
His Academy is willing to come to Flatbush to train individuals interested in self-defense, in a location and atmosphere appropriate for bnei Torah.
The program would be serious, lasting roughly three months. Participants to the program will gain a heightened sense of awareness on the street and real-life tools to disable people with knives and other dangerous weapons.
If you are interested, please reach out to [email protected].
-A Concerned Flatbush Resident
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7 Responses
Q: What do you call anyone who thinks a minimal amount martial arts training can overcome a crazy person with a weapon?
A: Really dumb.
Much hatzlacha!
What about women? (I’m serious)
Yes, krav maga is good for close-up combat, but the serious incidents we’ve experienced all involve weapons, usually guns. Krav maga could theoretically help against someone armed with a knife/machete, but it would require more training than this program could offer, and it would be totally useless against someone armed with a gun. I’ve carried a firearm as a volunteer security guard in Israel (and been on the wrong end of one in a holdup) and I can tell you that the only defense an unarmed person has against a gun is, “Run if you can.” Otherwise follow the “hide or distract” script that police are advising. And if there’s no murderous intent – just hand over your wallet. Your life is worth more than your credit cards.
The downside to this training is that someone who has completed it may feel confident taking risks that they wouldn’t otherwise, and wind up in serious trouble. Prevent/avoid trouble whenever you can – superheroes only exist in comic books and their films.
arizona,
Even dumber?
…Doing nothing
Arizona, you mean they teach krav maga and hand-to-hand combat in the army for nothing?
Of course, only if frum Jews want to learn it then it’s not worth anything …
A lot of people think learning unarmed combat skills is something you can do in a few classes, then forget about it until you need it. Not so. I trained traditional Shodokan karate and know people who have trained in other disciplines including krav maga. Becoming proficient in a martial art takes time, discipline and dedication. And if you don’t keep in training your skills degenerate alarmingly fast. Very few busy frum people will have the time or motivation to train adequately. Between working, family and learning, there are already not enough hours in the day.
The same goes for firearms training. You have to learn about the weapon, learn how to shoot it accurately, develop a familiarity with its use so that you can function in an emergency, and most of all keep in practice. Again, how many frum people have that time? Remember that the person who killed the church shooter had been trained in law enforcement previously and was part of a designated security team. He wasn’t just some volunteer who showed up for some weapons classes and went to the range every month or so.
What we need, and are beginning to have, are trained armed guards at shuls and schools. Yes, it costs money, but the government is now beginning to give grants for safety programs. And at the very least, guns should only be in the hands of designated shul members who have had adequate training.
And then there’s the matter of gun safety. You can’t leave the things just lying around. Kids pick them up and play with them, no matter how often you tell them not to. A certain number of children are killed in this country every year by their parents’ guns – either by accident themselves or by “playing” at shooting their siblings or friends. In several memorable cases they have even shot their parents by accident.
We need common sense, good planning and siyata d’shamaya. Wannabe cowboys need not apply.