28 | MAY 2 • 2024
J
N
A
strong and resilient Jewish com-
munity is the goal,
” said Matthew
Sikora, owner of TRUE Martial
Arts. With a mission to spread safety and
security throughout the community, TRUE
Martial Arts, a Jewish-owned martial arts
school with locations in West Bloomfield
and Birmingham, is providing self-defense
classes to Jewish youth across the state.
“My children studied with TRUE Martial
Arts when they were younger, and I was so
impressed with Matt Sikora and his team,
their philosophy, their warmth, their teach-
ing ability. There was no question that he
is who I wanted for Shaarey Zedek teens,
”
said Rabbi Aaron Starr, when asked about
choosing who would conduct a self-defense
class for Shaarey Zedek’s youth.
Rabbi Starr explained “given the rise in
antisemitism in our country, Congregation
Shaarey Zedek youth adviser Annie Klinger
and I created a series of learning opportu-
nities to help teenagers feel safe physically,
emotionally and spiritually, including
training on self-defense and situational
awareness.
”
Last month’s seminar at Shaarey Zedek
“included a brief lecture on situational
awareness before giving the teens basic
self-defense techniques. Then the teens
were given pads to practice,
” Starr said.
According to Sikora, “We aimed for par-
ticipants to walk away feeling empowered,
knowing they possess some very basic and
practical skills, and the confidence to han-
dle potential threats. Beyond physical tech-
niques, we hoped they gained a mindset of
assertiveness and resilience, feeling confi-
dent in their ability to protect themselves
and others in various situations.
”
Mission accomplished! Rabbi Star agreed
“everyone enjoyed the opportunity to gain
and to practice their self-defense skills on
the pads, but I think everyone also took
away meaningful reminders about situa-
tional awareness.
”
A few weeks ago, TRUE Martial Arts
participated in BBYO Michigan’s Spring
Convention, by offering a Krav Maga
seminar to BBYO teens. Although staff-
supported, BBYO teens take the lead on
planning this annual, two-day convention,
taking place at Tamarack Camps. A variety
of programming is offered every year at the
convention.
“In an effort to provide an activity that
was active, engaging and included some
sort of take-away, some teens suggested
Krav Maga,
” said Audrey Bloomberg,
BBYO Michigan’s Regional Director. Krav
Maga is an Israeli martial art developed for
the Israeli Defense Forces. It is known to
teach real-life, practical, self-defense skills.
The one-hour Krav Maga seminar was
well attended at the convention, with more
than 40 teens participating. The seminar
included information and handouts about
the origin of Krav Maga as well as a hands-
on component, where teens were able to
practice and role play. “The teens learned
something new and were able to take away
real-life applicable skills,
” Bloomberg said.
The convention allowed Jewish youth to
come together as a community and learn
something new. “It is so nice knowing we
have these resources in our community.
Here we have these professionals in our
community who not only have these skills
but are willing to teach them to others in
the community,
” Bloomberg said.
TRUE Martial Arts hopes to continue to
teach Jewish teens about self-defense. “Our
classes teach Jewish teens to take ownership
of their safety and well-being. Learning
practical techniques to defend themselves,
participants gain confidence and self-as-
surance. It empowers them to be proactive
rather than reactive in potentially danger-
ous situations. This empowerment extends
beyond the event itself, as attendees carry
these skills and mindset into their daily
lives, contributing to a safer and more resil-
ient Jewish community,
” Sikora said.
TRUE Martial Arts offers Krav Maga classes to the
community weekly, every Tuesday and Thursday eve-
ning. To learn more about TRUE Martial Arts’ Krav Maga
program, visit https://bloomfieldmartialarts.com/adult-
krav-maga-classes-west-bloomfield.
Self-Defense
Awareness
LINDSAY SIKORA SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
Local martial arts studio
empowers Jewish teens.
ALEC COHEN PHOTOGRAPHY
RIGHT: Matt Sikora teaches Krav
Maga to BBYO Teens at Camp
Tamarack. BELOW: Teens at
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
were taught self-defense.
OUR COMMUNITY