We have all felt the tension of the recent antisemitic and “lone wolf” attacks both abroad and near home, be it the massacre in Har Nof, the hatchet attack against four police officers in Jamaica, Queens, and the countless attacks in Israel and in our communities in Europe. And by the way, have you seen the recent Hamas video going viral on YouTube, “How to stab a Jew?”
Abraham H. Foxman, the national director of the Anti-Defamation League, has recently commented that we are experiencing “the worst antisemitism since World War II.” The ADL’s recent survey of world antisemitic sentiment in over 100 countries revealed that 26% or 1.09 billion people harbor antisemitic feelings. Given the current climate, a prudent person would come to the conclusion that avoiding the topic of antisemitism is senseless and potentially dangerous on a very personal level. After the recent stabbing in Chabad headquarters on 770 Eastern Parkway, Assemblyman Dov Hikind suggested, “Maybe it’s time for synagogues…to figure out, if someone walks in with a knife, how do you defend yourself?”
Okay, but what can we as regular people do about it? Where do we start? Congregation Bnei Yeshurun and Eilon Even-Esh of Shomer360 are offering an answer to that question. This Motzei Shabbos, January 3rd, the shul, located at 641 West Englewood Avenue in Teaneck, will sponsor a Krav Maga seminar, open to the community, focusing on gun and knife defense. The hours are officially between 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with extra time after the event for a Q&A. The cost of admission is $36 with all proceeds to go to victims of terror and their families in Israel. Space will be limited to the first 100 registrants, but anyone can observe and/or make a donation. The event will be open to adults and teenagers 13 and up.
Steven Marguiles, president of Bnei Yeshurun comments, “In light of recent events around the world, many of our local institutions have increased their focus on security. As part of our broader, overall security plans, we thought it appropriate to offer the community the opportunity to further enhance our security preparedness by learning self-defense as well.”
Eilon Even-Esh, the head instructor of Shomer360 (www.shomer360.com) commented, “The two-hour seminar will focus on Krav Maga gun and knife defense and give some real tools for the participants on how to fend off an attacker. You don’t have to be a heavy weight champion or a black belt to have the tools to protect yourself. While we can’t predict every situation, we can with some basic techniques develop a level of confidence and skill to protect and defend ourselves and our communities to the best of our abilities.”
Even-Esh received Special Forces training while serving in the IDF and also served as a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. He now focuses his energy on training the Jewish community.
The seminar is sure to be informative and relevant. It is asked to please register by emailing your name and number of people attending to [email protected]. People who show up to participate and learn will not be turned away.
By Eilon Even-Esh
