Raz.maga

GSD
Creators of protectors

NYC 🗽
Midtown
LET'S GO! 🥊💪🏽

Honored to be launched into cycle #17 by 🌪️ at our Manhattan location.

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& .maga

This morning on the subway, I was reminded how powerful “means restriction” really is.
Those new platform-edge barriers aren’t just metal—they’re smart prevention. Research from Japan shows that even partial barriers on train platforms reduced su***de attempts by over 70%. That’s the power of interrupting an impulsive moment.

In self-defense, the same principle applies. A barrier—any barrier—changes the entire equation. Parking your car between you and a threat, stepping behind a bench, using a tree, your backpack, or even your own arms and legs can buy you seconds, and seconds save lives. And when the situation escalates further, a force multiplier or a legal self-defense tool becomes an even stronger kind of barrier—creating distance, deterrence, and a line the attacker must think twice before crossing.

But here’s the deeper truth: Awareness is the most superior state of being. Barriers only help once you notice the danger. The earlier you perceive a change in behavior, intention, or environment, the more options you have. Prevention begins long before confrontation—and it’s built on the discipline of seeing what others ignore.

Stay aware
Stay ahead
Stay safe

Join us 👊🏽🥊🛡️⚔️


🔗 Study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25770476/

A couple of weeks ago, an aggressive and openly antisemitic pro-Hamas protest erupted outside Park East Synagogue during a Nefesh B’Nefesh event.
The entrance was left unprotected. Community members, families, and leaders were forced to walk through a storm of intimidation and hate simply to attend a Jewish gathering. That moment was a painful reminder of the reality we are facing: our institutions and events are not immune to threat, and security cannot be treated as an afterthought.
Silence and vulnerability cannot be the price of Jewish life.

Just yesterday, in that very same location, the atmosphere was transformed.
At the request of the organizers, CSS volunteers were present, trained, visible, and ready. Parents, elders, and young people reported feeling safe, proud, and empowered. There was strength in our stance and confidence in our presence. This is what proactive leadership looks like.

I am calling on rabbis, board members, educators, and community leaders to partner with , to train, to volunteer, and to stand guard over our people. Jewish safety is not optional — it is a responsibility. Together, we protect not only our spaces, but our identity, our dignity, and our future.

As Thanksgiving arrived, I’m reminded that every generation has a moment when it must decide who it chooses to be—silent observers or prepared protectors.
For our community, that moment is now.

My path began as a Krav Maga instructor and an IDF combatant, defending civilians of every background from terror. Over the past decade in the US, that mission has evolved into empowering the Jewish community and our allies with the skills, mindset, and readiness needed in a time of rising antisemitism.

This week, I taught two Krav & Kesher seminars—at the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago. The intensity, focus, and courage these students brought into the room were powerful. Many told me afterward how the training felt transformative: practical, energizing, and confidence-building. Moments like these remind me why this work matters.

We are the People of the Book—but also descendants of the Maccabim and Chashmonaim, warriors who stood their ground when it counted. Krav & Kesher brings that legacy forward, teaching awareness, de-escalation, and decisive action when life demands it.

CSS lives this purpose daily, with thousands of volunteers who choose responsibility over fear and action over dependence. Their commitment strengthens ours.

This Thanksgiving, my focus is clear:
To build a generation that walks in peace because it knows how to stand with strength.

If your campus or organization is ready to train, reach out.
The mission continues—and so does our resolve.

“It’s better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.”

Krav Maga teaches us to harness strength through preparation, not aggression. Central to this is cultivating situational awareness—the ability to read your surroundings and spot potential threats early, enabling you to avoid conflict whenever possible. Awareness gives you control over the timeline of violence, allowing you to act decisively before danger escalates.

When avoidance isn’t an option, we establish boundaries to protect ourselves, using verbal and physical barriers to de-escalate. If all else fails, we rely on combat skills—simple, effective techniques to neutralize the threat and survive.
This is the essence of Krav Maga: staying calm and prepared to defend when necessary.

A warrior’s strength lies in maintaining peace while being prepared for anything.

Stay aware, stay ready.

Raz

As another year wraps up, I find myself reflecting on the incredible experiences and challenges that shaped me over the past 365 days. It’s not just about the lessons I’ve learned but about the people who continue to inspire me to push harder and be better—both in and out of the gym.

Every class, every moment I see you face your fears, tackle your traumas, or square off in sparring against someone bigger, stronger, or more experienced—I’m fired up. Watching you grow, adapt, and stay sharp under pressure reminds me why I love what I do. You’re not just learning skills; you’re evolving into stronger, more confident versions of yourselves.

2025 is another chapter to level up. Keep pushing. Keep challenging yourself. Keep making those around you better. And remember, the hero you’re looking for? That’s YOU.

Wishing you a New Year packed with health, strength, resilience, joy, and growth.
Let’s make it unforgettable.

See you on the mats💪🏽 Chazak!

One year ago, on October 7, we witnessed one of the darkest days in our history since the Holocaust. Innocent men, women, and children were brutally murdered, kidnapped, and violated by terrorists simply for being Jewish or for being in Israel. There were victims and hostages from over 40 countries all over the world of varying faiths and nationalities. The cruelty inflicted on our people that day is beyond words.

We mourn the dead, hold the wounded in our hearts, and advocate for the return of the kidnapped. But we also stand united. We, the people of Israel, alongside Jews, Muslims, Christians, and others, will never forget nor forgive.

This is our homeland. We are not going anywhere. We will stand tall, defend ourselves, and ensure that Israel lives forever.

One year after October 7, we must stay vigilant, not just in Israel but here in NYC, where we are also seeing pro-terror protests in the streets and on university campuses. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to be proactive about our safety and stand strong against hate. This is why training Krav Maga is essential. It’s not just about physical defense—it’s about building the confidence to walk through life empowered, prepared, and resilient. Whether in Israel or New York, we have the right and the responsibility to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities.

Am Israel Chai
God bless Israel 🇮🇱
Chazak 💪🏽

Shalom,

Raz

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