18 | APRIL 25 • 2024 
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N

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n a proactive response 
to growing rates of 
antisemitic threats and 
violence, Congregation 
Shaarey Zedek (CSZ) recently 
organized a self-defense 
class tailored specifically for 
teenagers. 
Held on Sunday afternoon, 
March 17, the congregation’s 
teens enjoyed lunch and 
learning from Senseis 
Matthew Sikora and Richard 
Dristy of TRUE Martial Arts, 
alongside CSZ’s Rabbi Aaron 
Starr. The event was a part 
of Shaarey Zedek’s Kulanu 
Initiative, a series of programs 
to combat antisemitism in 
association with the Anti- 
Defamation League (ADL). 
Wanting to take a bold 
step in empowering young 
individuals, this program was 
designed to instill confidence 
and resilience in the face of 
prejudice, discrimination and 
the threat of violence. 
To begin the class, the 
instructors introduced 

their specialized “Live Safe” 
program featuring the five 
personal rules of safety 
developed for everyday 
personal awareness. By 
fostering open dialogue 
and raising awareness, the 
program not only promoted 
self-defense but also served 
as a platform for education 
and advocacy. Teens were 
encouraged to practice these 
basic safety habits at home. 
A range of self-defense 
techniques were covered, 
including varying 
situational awareness, verbal 
de-escalation strategies 
and physical techniques for 
defending against attacks. 
Participants were taught 
how to assess potentially 
dangerous situations, 
assertively communicate 
boundaries and, if necessary, 
physically defend themselves. 
The instructors did an 
excellent job ensuring the 
teens knew if and when to use 
physical measures and how 

to safely do so. Additionally, 
they made it more relatable 
by allowing the teens the 
space to incorporate their 
real-life experiences into the 
class. 
At a time when standing up 
against hate is more crucial 
than ever, initiatives like 
the self-defense class serve 
as an opportunity to equip 
teenagers with invaluable life 
skills in today’s challenging 
social climate. Shaarey 
Zedek has plans to continue 
offering unique, inclusive 
and educational programs for 
those teens looking to combat 
antisemitism and to keep 
themselves and their fellow 
Jews safe. 

Annie Klinger is the youth adviser at 

Congregation Shaarey Zedek. To find 

out more about the Live Safe program 

or TRUE Martial Arts, visit the locations 

in West Bloomfield or Birmingham or 

email info@true-ma.com. For more 

information about Congregation 

Shaarey Zedek’s teen programming, 

contact Annie Klinger at aklinger@

shaareyzedek.org. 

Shaarey Zedek teens learn self-defense 
skills to combat antisemitism.

Confidence in 
the Face of Prejudice

ANNIE KLINGER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS 

OUR COMMUNITY

CSZ teens learn new skills from the senseis at TRUE Martial Arts.

Help People Learn 
to Read

Would you like to help young 
students in Detroit Public 
Schools learn to read? Vernor 
Elementary-Middle School 
in northwest Detroit is in 
need of tutors for kindergar-
ten through first-grade stu-
dents, through a partnership 
with the Detroit Interfaith 
Outreach Network. 
 If you can give one hour of 
your time once a week, pref-
erably on Thursday or Friday, 
contact Rabbi Dorit Edut at 
(248) 556-6316. 
You do not need to have a 
teaching background to do 
this. Volunteers will be trained 
and provided materials. This 
program will run till the 
beginning of June and restart 
in the end of September. 

JSL Financial 
Lunch and Learn

Jewish Senior Life of 
Metropolitan Detroit will 
host a free Dollars + Sense 
Lunch and Learn event 
on Thursday, May 9, at 
11:30 a.m. at Hechtman 
Apartments (6690 W. Maple 
Road in West Bloomfield) 
to help older adults create a 
secure financial future. 
Marc H. Wander, a local 
estate planning attorney, 
will talk about elder law 
and how to avoid common 
mistakes in estate planning. 
Michael Masserant, financial 
instructor with Retirement 
Education Foundation, will 
share information and tips to 
those nearing or already in 
retirement to develop com-
prehensive plans that best fit 
their needs. 
Seating is limited and reg-
istration is required. For res-
ervations, call Beth at (248) 
592-5026 or email info@
jslmi.org to register. 

