Raz Chen, at The Blogs

Sep 21, 2023, 10:37 AM

Free to use under the Unsplash License Pontus Wellgraf

Tzom Gedaliah is a minor fast day in Judaism and one I didn’t learn about as a child. When I learned about it this year, I was surprised by how much this fast day has to teach the Jews...

Apr 25, 2023, 9:40 PM

Celebrating the Spirit of Independence

Yom Ha'atzmaut means the Day of Independence, and that is something to be celebrated. Independence meant the Jewish people were masters of their own fate. That is a tremendous responsibility, but also a tremendous privilege. Our survival depends on...

Apr 25, 2023, 6:17 AM

The Titanium Jubilee

Before her death, Queen Elizabeth II had her Platinum Jubilee, celebrating 70 years on the throne. For the 75th Jubilee of Israel, I nominate we call it the Titanium Jubilee, after one of the world’s strongest metals. After one...

Apr 17, 2023, 2:08 PM

To the Lost Four Hundred

Supporting the World Jewish Congress's campaign (picture copyright owned by Raz Chen)

In the last few years, I’ve been privileged to study history with my co-writer, due to her impromptu lectures. I’ve learned a lot of interesting stories. Some stories have made me proud. Some stories have made me frustrated and...

Mar 5, 2023, 6:15 PM

The Real Meaning of Purim

This totally counts as a Purim costume if I'm pretending to be a spy.

I only intended to write the one Purim post yesterday. Even though I wrote about how to do it right, I still regarded it as a great holiday for the kids. I wasn’t planning on making a big deal...

Mar 3, 2023, 11:37 PM

Improving Purim

Yes, I even like to get into costume. (My own picture from a costume event)

I know I’m about to become a Scrooge, (do Jews have that?) but holidays have gotten out of control here in the United States. My disapproval began with watching my neighbors celebrate Halloween. I asked my co-author to explain this...

Feb 22, 2023, 11:24 PM

If Not Me, Then Who?

Creating a new program for Guardian Self-Defense has become a passion project for me. Although it’s billed as a self-defense organization, it’s actually meant to be leadership training through the lens of Krav Maga. Each week for eight-week cycles,...

Nov 28, 2022, 11:07 AM

The value of integrity

To Idan Oganov, I want to say Mazal Tov on taking third place at the World Championships in Slovenia. You brought home a medal for your country, winning a top position even with an injury. You made Israel proud. You made...

May 21, 2021, 6:43 PM

No fear

Going to the Pro-Israel rally in Times Square last week was a very beautiful experience for me. It meant so much to see such love and solidarity for Israel. It was also scary. Normally, people can’t tell just by looking...

Apr 29, 2021, 6:25 PM

L’ag B’Omer teaches us what is worth celebrating

L’Ag B’Omer is a holiday in honor of the Bar Kochba rebellion against the Romans for Jewish Independence, which happened in 132 AD. Unfortunately, the victory was short-lived. 4 years later, the Jewish rebellion was mercilessly put down. According to...

About Me

Raz Chen is an expert in Krav Maga, teaching in New York City, with multiple certifications from the Sports Academy in Israel, and Wingate Institute. A former special operations infantry combatant and Senior military Krav Maga instructor, Raz taught over 10,000 soldiers, including top special forces counter-terrorism and US Marines. He currently teaches classes and seminars for the army, police, and civilians on topics like counter-terrorism, rape prevention, Krav Maga instructor certification, Krav Maga combat, and fitness. He is the creator of AVIIR, a company dedicated to functional training, protection, regeneration, and longevity. Credit and gratitude to his co-writer and senior student Elke Weiss, whose research, writing, and editing are instrumental to this column and all my other writings.