Krav Maga – Self Defense Skills

Krav Maga
Image: kravmaga.com

A resident of Lakewood, NJ, Avrahom Joseph, sometimes called Avrohom, is an accomplished entrepreneur and business owner. In his free time, Avrahom Joseph pursues a diverse range of hobbies that includes playing basketball, reading, and collecting rare coins and stamps. He also practices martial arts such as Tae Kwon Do and Krav Maga.

The discipline of Krav Maga, which means “close combat/contact” in Hebrew, is based on combat and self-defense techniques used by Israeli soldiers. Developed by Imi Lichtenfield after World War II, Krav Maga began being offered as a civilian martial art in 1972. Krav Maga emphasizes real-world scenarios and teaches situational awareness that helps students find escape routes and avoid combat whenever possible.

When combat is necessary, Krav Maga relies on simple, effective moves that enable practitioners to defend themselves against unarmed attackers, as well as to respond to attacks from assailants armed with knives or guns. Krav Maga students also learn to incapacitate an assailant quickly and effectively, regardless of size or training.

Chai Lifeline – Ways to Contribute

ChaiLifeline.org Logo
Image: ChaiLifeline.org

Active in his community, Avrahom Joseph donates to Jewish outreach organizations in and around Lakewood, NJ, and beyond. Avrahom Joseph of Lakewood, NJ, stands out as a regular donor to the Chai Lifeline organization.

Dedicated to helping families affected by serious pediatric illness, Chai Lifeline provides services and social support to ease the journey for children and parents alike. Those who wish to contribute to this effort may make a general donation to the organization, either in one’s own name or as a tribute to another. Donations may also be earmarked to sponsor a parents’ support group, to fund the fulfillment of a child’s dream, and to support a family’s attendance at the organization’s winter retreat.

Those who prefer to donate their time can volunteer in any number of capacities. Chai Lifeline welcomes volunteers at Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special, where children with severe chronic or life-threatening illnesses can play, make friends, and make memories that give them hope in their struggle. Volunteers are also welcome through the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, which allows children to develop caring friendships that offer stability and joy.

In addition, Chai Lifeline welcomes volunteers in the Martha Prince 6xChai program. These volunteers visit children in hospitals and in their homes, participate in toy drives and meal programs, and assist families in getting to medical appointments. The organization also depends on volunteers to staff its tutoring program, which works with children’s schools to support young patients’ education during treatment and recovery.

Krav Maga – A Basic Introduction

Formally trained in Talmudic studies in his youth, Avrahom Joseph has gone on to take an active role in the Jewish community in and around Lakewood, NJ. Avrahom Joseph of Lakewood, NJ, enjoys practicing martial arts in his free time and is experienced in the art of krav maga.

Developed as a self-defense system for the Israeli military, krav maga has since spread throughout the world. It has become a highly regarded set of skills for use by law enforcement and military units and has drawn a following among private citizens as well. Krav maga focuses on practical techniques for street fighting and, as such, prepares a person for any type of attack.

Using only hand-to-hand techniques, krav maga teaches practitioners to respond to such common attacks as grabs and chokes, as well as the use of weapons. It also teaches the art of remaining mentally responsive during a highly stressful and violent situation, a key element of effectiveness in self-defense. The techniques are simple and straightforward, although, with advanced study, a practitioner can learn to use them against increasingly more complex and intense attacks.

Joining Chai Lifeline’s Honey Engel Toy Drive for Lakewood Youth

A licensee of the New Jersey Commission of Higher Education and longtime advocate of education, Avrahom Joseph has been closely involved with traditional Jewish education establishments throughout the region over the past several years. A resident of Lakewood, NJ, Avrahom Joseph also lends his support to Chai Lifeline.

From its beginnings as a small summer camp program in New York City, Chai Lifeline has expanded in scope and size to care for children with illnesses from its regional offices in Lakewood, NJ; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Chicago, IL; and Los Angeles, CA; as well as a network of international affiliates. In order to bring holiday joy to children and their families during turbulent times, each year Chai Lifeline sponsors the Honey Engel Toy Drive, one of the largest charity drives of its kind in the Jewish world.

As part of the Toy Drive, Chai Lifeline accepts new, unwrapped gifts for boys and girls of all ages. In addition to donating toys at participating schools and drop-off locations, contributors can purchase gifts online through Engel Toy Drive partner stores to contribute a portion of sales directly to Chai Lifeline. As a result of the contributions of supporters, Chai Lifeline was able to distribute more than 50,000 gifts to children in 2014 alone.

Chai Lifeline’s Simcha Programs

A resident of Lakewood, New Jersey, Avrahom Joseph currently serves on the board of Yeshiva Meon Hatorah in Spring Valley, New York. Additionally, Avrahom Joseph contributes to a number of charitable organizations, including Chai Lifeline.

Located throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries around the world, Chai Lifeline is dedicated to supporting children with life-threatening illnesses, their families, and their communities. The nonprofit organization’s 24 year-round programs and services are offered free of charge for as long as the family is in need.

Every summer, Chai Lifeline hosts two overnight camps for hundreds of children. Camp Simcha welcomes campers with cancer and other blood disorders, while Camp Simcha Special is open to campers with other chronic conditions.

Specially designed to meet the campers’ needs, the popular camps provide a range of activities, from sports and water games to entertainment and arts and crafts. Both camps have state-of-the-art medical facilities to ensure that campers stay safe while they have fun and create memories. Led by experienced medical specialists, the facilities have full nursing and emergency technicians in addition to a fully staffed ambulance and an on-call Medevac helicopter. To accommodate children and teens with special needs and mobility issues, Camp Simcha Special staff can assist with wheelchairs, walkers, gastric tubes, and respirators.

Special Children’s Center – Programs and Events

An experienced salesman, Avrahom Joseph is a board member of Spring Valley, New York’s Yeshiva Meon Hatorah. Engaged with charitable organizations in and around Lakewood, New Jersey, Avrahom Joseph supports Special Children’s Center.

Founded in 1996, the nonprofit Special Children’s Center helps children and adults with complex developmental disabilities at every stage of their lives. Located in Lakewood, the center also offers programs for the families of people with special needs. With a network of teachers, volunteers, and trained aides, the organization provides a range of services, from case management and educational programs to respite programs and adult vocational resources, among others.

To sponsor its programs, the Special Children’s Center hosts a number of fundraising events throughout the year. Its major event, the annual Jog4Center, is a 5K run ending with a barbecue and fireworks for race participants and their families. Other events include A Taste of Something Special, an annual tasting experience featuring kosher foods with a Chinese auction.

The Special Children’s Center Hosted a Food and Auction Fundraiser

Lakewood, New Jersey professional Avrahom Joseph enjoys spending his downtime outdoors hiking trails or boating. Dedicated to helping those around him, Avrahom Joseph regularly contributes to several charitable organizations, including the Special Children’s Center.

A nonprofit organization also located in Lakewood, the Special Children’s Center serves children and adults who have complex developmental disabilities. Established in 1996 by two teens, the organization has served more than 450 families with special needs. The organization provides developmentally disabled individuals with a chance to grow and progress while their families receive support from the local community.

During the year, the Special Children’s Center hosts events to help raise funds. On April 26, 2015, the organization sponsored A Taste of Something Special, where participants enjoyed a night out with friends, listened to a featured speaker, tasted the food industry’s newest products, and partook in a Chinese auction. Numerous food vendors offered kosher food brands, and the event raised money for the center to continue its services.

Chai Lifeline’s Camp Simcha

Avrahom Joseph, a board member of Yeshiva Meon Hatorah, maintains an active presence in his Lakewood, New Jersey community. Avrahom Joseph supports a wide array of community and charitable organizations, including Chai Lifeline, an organization that helps children who are seriously ill have the happiest and most normal childhood possible.

Chai Lifeline offers a wide range of free family-centered programs and services to the communities it serves. Camp Simcha is just one of Chai Lifeline’s many programs. Every summer, 400 children are welcomed to Camp Simcha, a medically supervised overnight camp designed for children who are battling blood disorders or cancer. The organization also operates Camp Simcha Special for children with debilitating chronic conditions.

Camp Simcha is located on 125 acres in New York’s Catskill Mountains, and children and teens in all treatment stages are allowed to attend. Campers can participate in activities such as talent shows, helicopter rides, arts and crafts, and adaptive sports. Every camper has their own counselor to make sure they get the most out of their time at Camp Simcha and away from hospital rooms.

The Psychological Benefits of Regular Martial Arts Practice

A resident of Lakewood, New Jersey, Avrahom Joseph currently serves on the board of Yeshiva Meon Hatorah in Spring Valley, New York. As a board member, he provides the organization with business guidance, ensures payroll deadlines are met, and resolves accounts payable. In his free time, Avrahom Joseph is an avid martial artist who practices Tai Chi, Krav Maga, and Tae Kwon Do.

Martial arts is frequently recognized for the many physical benefits it offers, but regular martial arts training may also provide psychological benefits. Scientific studies have shown that martial arts have a variety of positive effects on individuals. For example, learning martial arts can improve practitioners’ self-confidence and, in turn, help them remain calm in stressful circumstances.

Practicing martial arts has also been shown to improve mood. Long-time practitioners have reported lower levels of anxiety and aggression along with high levels of self-reliance and independence. These effects increase with time, assuming individuals continue to practice regularly. Beyond this, martial arts have been shown to improve discipline and focus, enhance self-control, and reduce stress levels.

New Jersey Hike to Pinwheel’s Vista

An accomplished businessman, Avrahom Joseph has owned several companies in the Lakewood, New Jersey, area. In his leisure time, Avrahom Joseph enjoys hiking throughout the state.

Experienced hikers in New Jersey may wish to try Pinwheel’s Vista. This 9-mile round-trip hike mostly follows level ground, with a few steep sections ascending and descending from its start at the Wawayanda State Park headquarters. The trail offers views of the New Jersey and New York mountains, a steel bridge over a stream, a waterfall, and other spectacular features.

After leaving the Wawayanda State Park, the Pinwheel’s Vista trail follows blue blaze markers for 0.3 miles and then turns left at the first trail juncture, continuing along the A.T. trail marked with white blazes. It continues along the A.T. Trail, past the Wawayanda Shelter, along park roads, over the steel bridge, and through the forest. After crossing a stone wall and reaching the 4.3-mile marker, the path returns to the blue-blazed Wawayanda Ridge Trail, which continues the rest of the way to the overlook at Pinwheel’s Vista.