Krav Maga & Hisardut

Krav Maga Books By Gershon Ben Keren

Krav Maga Yashir Boston Head Instructor

Krav Maga & Hisardut in Boston

Hisardut, meaning “Survival” in Hebrew is a fighting method that is used by Israel’s elite military units. It was created and continues to be developed by Dennis Hanover (when taught within the IDF it is often simply referred to as Krav Maga. Dennis’s life has spanned over 60 years in the martial arts and he has promoted over 1000 black belts and countless other grades. He was responsible for bringing Judo to the Jewish Olympics (the Macabai) in 1961 – only a year after he first immigrated to Israel – bringing teams from South Africa and Italy to compete. As well as being on the organizing committee he also competed winning one Gold and a Silver (he continued to compete in the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th Maccabais). From 1965 to 1971 Dennis was champion or runner up six times in the Israeli Judo Federation and received the No 1-grading card. His Judo training actually started in South Africa in 1957 with the Jewish youth organization "Hashomer Hazair" going on to receive his 1st Dan in Judo from Professor Jack Robinson (former SAS), 10th Dan and in 1959 his 2nd Dan. In 1959 he was elected "Springbok" - the S.A. Judo National team. In 1960 when he immigrated to Israel and started the first Judo training courses in "Moledet" village as well as Karate with Shlomo Faiga.

Not only an exceptional Judoka (Judo practitioner) He also excelled at Karate and in 1972 when Israel Karate Federation was formed and Dennis received the No1-grading card and was an active member on the Federation Committee. In 1974 a year after the Yom Kippur/October War Dennis started an annual championship (which still runs to this day) to commemorate and remember the fallen pupils who were killed whilst defending their country, Israel. Each year Dennis visits the graves of his former students and “Survival Family” members who have fallen in the wars and conflicts that Israel has had to endure and lays a medal on their graves.

In 1975, the Israeli Karate team invited Dennis to participate in the First World Knock Down Oyama Kyokushin championship. Dennis ended up fighting William Oliver, the American captain and champion, and was rated one of the seven best fighters in the world. The fight was seen as being won by Dennis, but was designated as a draw for political reasons as many of the countries participating in the championship were not happy about Israel being invited in the first place and in 1979 Israel’s invitation to the 2nd Championship was withdrawn after the organizers came under political pressure to exclude Israel’s inclusion. As a result of the way Dennis fought in his fight(s), Dennis received his 3rd Dan from Kancho Mas Oyama and was established as President of the Israeli Kyokushin Federation and also received his 4th Dan from the Israeli Karate, Federation. In 1977, he was appointed President of the Israeli Karate Federation and in 1979 received his 5th Dan.

In 1983 Dennis received his 5th Dan Ju-Jitsu from the Original European Ju-Jitsu Union, by Mr Bell - life President, Dennis Survival Ju Jitsu was recognized as a modern style of Ju Jitsu and Dennis Hanover as its founder. In 1984 he received his 7th Dan and then his 8th, 9th and 10th Dan OEJJU. In 2004, Mr Bell, before he passed away, appointed Dr. Dennis Hanover as his successor - the Life President of the OEJJU. The Hisardut system is a mix of Judo, Karate, and traditional Ju-Jitsu. In many ways it was the first mixed martial arts, as it draws its techniques and skills from other martial arts combining them into one unique and integrated system. In many ways this apprach resembles that of KAPAP, Israel's first martial art/fighting system.

Book Class