Starting Sunday, August 23, through Thursday August 27, in Congregation Bnai Yeshurun, there will be a week-long Krav Maga immersion program for frum teenage boys. The program will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will be led by Captain Eilon Even-Esh, founder of Shomer360, an organization designed specifically to teach self-defense to the frum community (see www.shomer360.com).

Krav Maga is the Israeli military’s martial arts system and is also used and learned by other militaries and elite organizations around the world.

According to Even-Esh, who served both in the IDF as well as in the U.S. Marine Corps, “the program will be ideal for bochurs who will go to learn in a potentially dangerous area, for example Israel or in a yeshiva near a bad neighborhood. Bochurs who experienced bullying, mugging or whose parents just want to direct their son’s physical energy in a positive direction, will also greatly benefit and enjoy the program. The program will be deep and varied enough to benefit the complete beginner as well as a black belt.” Techniques taught will focus on weapons defense (gun, knife and stick), striking skills and ground defense tactics. Middos and responsibility will be emphasized throughout, as is appropriate for a ben Torah.

Captain Even-Esh argued, “Part of a parent’s responsibility is to give their children the tools to succeed when they go out into the world on their own. For example, the responsibility to teach a profession and teach how to swim (Kiddushin 29A-30B). I would humbly put forward that teaching your child to defend himself can be considered in the same category as teaching him how to swim, since swimming and self-defense are both lifesaving skills.”

For further information or to sign up for the program, please contact Yael Even-Esh at 917-376-3637.