Krav Maga (“Contact Combat” in Hebrew) was developed by Imi Litchenfield in the 1930’s in what is now Slovakia as a means for Jewish partisans to defend themselves against fascists many of whom supported the Nazis. Later, Krav Maga became the standard hand-to-hand combat system for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Krav Maga as a martial art system began its migration to the United States in the early 1980s.
Unfortunately, since its arrival Krav Maga has devolved for many into a money-making operation with little regard for the traditional roots of Krav Maga and its significant evolutionary improvements. In my humble opinion, the main group responsible for the devolution of American Krav Maga into an out-dated, bastardized system is Krav Maga Worldwide (KMW) based in Los Angeles.
Krav Maga Worldwide, Inc. was founded by Darren Levine. Mr. Levine is not a lifelong devotee of Krav Maga but rather a prosecutor in the Los Angeles courts for more than two (2) decades. As an example of Mr. Levine’s economic motivations, KMW once tried (and FAILED) to obtain a trademark on the phrase “Krav Maga.” This is akin to trying to be the exclusive owner and user of the words Karate, Boxing, or Kungfu.
While it has never been my desire to denigrate other Krav Maga systems – everything has its good parts and everything has its not so good parts – and while KMW has brought great exposure to Krav Maga in the United States, it is the purely economic motivations, in my opinion, that causes me great dismay. KMW licenses its name and training program to nearly anyone who can afford to buy the license. For example, in Maryland, KMW licensed the name and KMW program to David Buscher, a wealthy entrepreneur with little or no Krav Maga training.
Formerly, I worked for Krav Maga Maryland. I was the General Manager and Chief Instructor of Krav Maga Maryland in Owings Mills. As part of my employment, I signed a “Personal Services Contract” with Krav Maga Maryland that contained a “Non-Compete Clause” (NCC). When I left KMW and founded what later became Masada Tactical, KMW sued me for violating the NCC. We eventually reached a settlement in which neither party “won”.
KMW is an economic powerhouse that dedicates its extensive financial resources NOT to advancing the development of Krav Maga in the United States and sending its instructors to Israel to learn the extensive improvements to the Krav Maga system that have occurred since KMW was founded, BUT rather took a system originally developed to allow Jews and others to protect themselves from slaughter by pro-Nazi sympathizers and used it to attack an individual who believes that Krav Maga and the independent Israeli Combat System (that I developed) should be used for civilians, law enforcement and the military alike to defend themselves from criminals and terrorists.
In 2007, I founded Masada Tactical, LLC whose goal is to bring the most up-to-date, practical, and professional training to civilians and our contracting law-enforcement and military agencies. The Israeli Combat System taught at Masada Tactical was developed by incorporating only the best techniques and tactics from military, law-enforcement, and security tactics and operations worldwide. The Civilian, as opposed to the Tactical Division of Masada Tactical, is designed to bring the most current and comprehensive system of self-defense (and defense of others) to the public. I developed the Israeli Combat System, not based upon the outdated and limited techniques of KMW, but by drawing upon decades of techniques proven to be most effective in defending against criminal attackers. My system is largely influenced by ongoing training I am given and provide in Israel to this day.
Last year, I co-authored a book, Survival Training for Law-Enforcement: The Israeli Combat System for the Urban Warrior, not for financial gain but in order to provide an effective manual for our dedicated law-enforcement officers to protect themselves and others in life-or-death situations.
Krav Maga Worldwide, with its immense financial resources, has taken exception to my book. Just last week, my publisher received from Darren Levine correspondence that, if properly drafted by a man claiming more than twenty-five (25) years experience in practicing law, could be deemed a “Cease and Desist” letter. Amongst the bluster of Mr. Levine’s letter, he threatens legal action if we go forward with publication of the book. In the letter he implies that I am making use of copyrighted material owned by KMW.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Frankly, there is nothing copyrighted by KMW or written by Mr. Levine himself that I would feel comfortable using. The system of Krav Maga taught by KMW was developed in the 1980’s in order to promote aggression in young, new, IDF recruits. It was never intended to be a comprehensive system for use by civilians, law-enforcement, and the military alike to defend against threats of all types.
Furthermore, the book was co-authored by a law-enforcement professional and writer who has no former experience in Krav Maga. I was the technical consultant, but the text, and what is believed to be a copyright infringement, was written by a person who had no prior knowledge of KMW texts and materials.
Mr. Levine’s threats beg two (2) questions. First, what exactly is KMW afraid of? Are they afraid that my Israeli Combat System will expose the glaring failures of KMW’s system? Second, why, if not for economic reasons entirely, would Mr. Levine not want law-enforcement officers to learn a system that could protect both them and the public from harm?
Another question comes to mind. If Mr. Levine and KMW are only interested in promoting and teaching the premier Krav Maga system in the United States, why don’t they send their instructors to Israel to become acquainted with the most recent developments in the dynamic evolution of the world’s most effective fighting system?
Masada Tactical is dedicated to providing the highest level training available to military operatives, law-enforcement personnel, and civilians alike. We are an open system – open to suggestions and improvements from all martial art systems. We are a small but ever-growing organization. We do not try to stifle others that seek only to profit from what is near and dear to our hearts.
As for Mr. Levine, he should keep in mind that our legal representatives will defend Masada Tactical from all comers with the same ferocity of its namesake – those that valiantly died defending themselves against the invading Romans at Masada – and that often “the best defense is a good offense.” Masada Tactical will not be bullied or intimidated by anyone and Masada Tactical is here to stay.
Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
via David Palinsky, Esq.
www.MasadaTactical.com
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