Every year, the Israel division of the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF) holds its national championship. Recently, the annual event was held in Netanya. Rabbi Fishel Jacobs, from Kfar Chabad, was the guest of honor.
The event pitted schools and competitors of all ages and belt rankings and from the entire country, one against another. The action was fast paced, and lasted from morning till early evening.
The chairman of the Israeli section of ITKF is Iyal Nir, 5th degree black belt. He said, “It’s always an honor to have Fishel join us. His martial arts experience brings a professional atmosphere with him. His personality brings warmth.”
The head instructor of the national team, Moshe Rokach, owner of “Poleg Karate Institute” located in Netanya, said, “We are proud that our messages also fit our Jewish identity. When we opened our new gym, the first thing we did was a media publicized mezuzah placing ceremony. Things like that, and honoring all the holidays with some sort of celebration, brings a blessing into our gym.”
After the fighting, Rabbi Jacobs, who holds a black belt, spoke to the audience about some of his martial arts memories, and what it taught him to make him a better Jew.
A real kiddush HaShem. Fishel is a higher degree black belt in being a Chassid than in Karate! This is the way to bring Moshiach NOW!
Hey Fishel I am still alive downunder in Sydney Australia.
we had some good times in the back of the zal as well in Kfar Chabad.
besuros tovos
Elozer
Those were the days. And one of the people you mentioned above, R’ Mendel, would say, we are in the same days. A bochur once came up to R’ Mendel and asked him, “Where is this supposed to take us?” I remember R’ Mendel said, “No where. You’re not supposed to ‘go’ anywhere. The benoni, and all of us, have two souls. The job is to warm up the place.” Reb Mendel said, “Where do you go? The job is to warm up the place.” Yes. Those were the days. And, with G-d’s help, we can make these the days.… Read more »
we shmoozed ONLY during break time and it was always divrei Chassidus. Reb Mendel and Rav Gafnis Farbrengens and off course Rabbi Glukowskys shiurim. Those were the days….
you certainly the man.
On the one hand, I guess that was a meant as a (perhaps, undeserved) compliment: “…. nicer more studious yiras shomayim.”
Yet, further on you note how I “… sat in the back of the zal and shmoozed…”
I guess, you got me.
Thanks for kind words.
Kesiva kechosima tova to you (whoever it might be) and yours,
Fishel
I remember when Fishel was a student at Kfar Chabad years and eons ago. You can not find a nicer more studious yiras shomayim. Good luck Fishel I used to sit at the back of the zal and we shmoozed quite a bit.