Israeli Martial Arts and Defense System To Be Demonstrated at Book Signing

Matthew Hersh

David Kahn, Princeton native and leading expert in krav maga, an Israeli fighting system, will be at the Princeton University Bookstore tomorrow to discuss his new book, Krav Maga: The Contact Combat System of the Israel Defense Forces (St. Martin's Griffin, 2004) and to offer a demonstration of the defense system.

"Krav maga prepares you with the mindset and physical skills needed to combat most types of physical onslaught," Mr. Kahn said. "But the philosophy behind it differs greatly from other types of martial arts and self-defense systems."

The difference, he said, is that this kind of fighting, which Mr. Kahn is currently teaching to members of the Princeton Township Police force, contains maneuvers that are simultaneously defensive and offensive. "If someone is choking you, not only will you remove his or her hands from your throat, but you will simultaneously counterattack to the eyes, groin, or throat," he said. "If you merely reacted defensively by removing the attacker's hands, your attacker would simply move on to some other type of attack."

Mr. Kahn went on to say that krav maga's creator, Imi Lichtenfeld, a 20-year veteran of the Israeli army, devised the system to help fighters overcome fear, panic, and rage. "You learn effective physical techniques while mentally adjusting to a harsh, violent reality," Mr. Kahn said.

Mr. Kahn's appearance will take place on the third floor of the Princeton University Bookstore tomorrow night at 7 p.m. For information, call (609) 921-8500.