IDF Vet Trainers in NY: Jewish Combat Camp

[techres]

I would be there if it weren't for money, family, debt, kids, debt, and work:

IDF vets train NY Jewish paramilitaries

Yonatan Stern, the "Sgan Mefaked Hakita" (deputy squad commander) of Kitat Konenut New York, insists his "paramilitary emergency armed response team" is no "group of vigilantes or a JDL [Jewish Defense League]."

"The goal of the organization is to have a competent and professional group of armed volunteers ready to respond to a threat at a moment's notice in any area where Jews reside," explains the Israeli combat veteran.

"We do not carry out demonstrations or political activity of any kind as we have no political agenda. Our agenda is to protect Jews wherever and whenever necessary and by any means needed."

On Friday, the third session of the group's training camp will begin in the Catskills woodlands of upstate New York, on land belonging to a Jewish supporter of the organization. With tuition at $400, the group expects 15 participants and five instructors for the 10 days of training. Participation has doubled since the group began three years ago.

Kitat Konenut New York is modeled on the rapid response teams in the West Bank settlements that are often the first to act when terrorist attacks or other emergencies take place. The group bills itself as religious-Zionist but nonpolitical.

American Jews have "felt a false sense of security in the United States," Stern believes, "because historically there has been less anti-Semitism than in other countries. But there have been incidents - neo-Nazi terrorist attacks, Arab terrorist attacks. Jews have to be vigilant."

-snip-

The group was founded in the summer of 2006 in response to the shooting attack at the Jewish federation of Seattle premises by local Muslim Naveed Haq.

"We realized there is a need for this kind of organization, and as Israeli combat veterans living in the US, we have the skills and ability to respond to this," Stern says.

The group's MySpace page details the camp's regimen, which includes training in the IDF's Krav Maga martial art, use of non-lethal weapons and identification of suspicious objects, but also sharpshooter and assault rifle training, infantry exercises and endurance marches. Explanatory literature lists a large number of weapons with which participants can expect to train.

"We believe all Jews in the US must be legally armed and trained," Stern says, "and towards this goal we hold paramilitary training camps to train and equip Jewish American youth."

The group's literature notes emphatically that all firearms used in training "are 100% legal and in compliance with all federal, state and local laws."

"We strongly believe in the constitutional right to bear arms and we express this right to its fullest," it adds.

-snip-

Stern says, "We are all legally armed and carry radios and cellphones" during all hours of the day, and even on Shabbat, "as we need to be constantly ready to respond to any incident."

-snip-

Funded by tuition money and a handful of private donors, the group does not exclude secular Jews, Stern says, but asks that they respect the Orthodox nature of the camp by observing Shabbat in public and refraining from bringing non-kosher food.

"We wouldn't have a problem with non-Jews coming either," says Stern, "but no non-Jew has applied thus far."

And I am constantly getting asked about why American Jews hate guns as if we all do...

Maybe I will send them an email inquiry...

[JcJ]

We wouldn't have a problem with non-Jews coming either,

I would attend in a heartbeat,,

[Shay VanVlymen]

There are several quality training opportunities right here in Indiana. Don't wish for "someday" training. Take advantage of local classes.

Now, $400 for 10 days is a great deal if the training isn't awful. I think it's wonderful when any individual or group in this country takes responsibly for their own defense. I support this group and their mission 100%.

[SilentWarrior1]

$400 for 10 days? That's worth the trip to NY. Even if the training DOES suck.

I think I'll save up for this and make every attempt to go.

[techres]

Originally Posted by SilentWarrior1

$400 for 10 days? That's worth the trip to NY. Even if the training DOES suck.

I think I'll save up for this and make every attempt to go.

I dropped them an email and will see how they respond.

As for local training, you bet we have some of the best in the country all within a one state area. From TDI to Appleseed, I would never say otherwise. I was interested in this as a rather unique training group with a niche market that I fall into as a demographic. I.E. It caught my eye.

They may be complete cooks, or they may be the next best thing to LFI. No way to know until I, or someone I know, goes and gives a report back.

[techres]

Originally Posted by techres

No way to know until I, or someone I know, goes and gives a report back.

Should have edited this to read:

"Let's send Rhino, he knows good training."