Antisemitism and Self-Defense for the Jewish Community

Since October 7, Jews around the world have felt scared – for their safety, for their communities, for Israel. Though it’s a harrowing time, many Jews have pledged to fight back by calling out antisemitism, defeating disparaging politicians at the polls and suing universities for discrimination.

They’ve also been learning self-defense, something that martial arts legend Daniel “Tiger” Schulmann has been teaching for decades. Now, he’s advocating for Jews to learn it as well.

“Historically, Jews have prioritized education above all else,” he said. “Martial arts should be integrated into that education.” After all, the right to defend oneself and one's property is a fundamental principle in Jewish law, as the Talmud teaches, "If someone comes to kill you, rise up and kill him first" (Sanhedrin, 72a).

Who Is Daniel “Tiger” Schulmann?

Schulmann started studying kyokushin karate, a form of martial arts, when he was 6 years old. His father enrolled him in karate classes after Schulmann’s older brother was the victim of extreme bullying. Shigeru Oyama, the boy’s instructor, quickly saw that he was a prodigy; he was fast, strong, and fearless. Schulmann was given the nickname Tiger not only because of these qualities, but also because he was born in the year of the Tiger.

At age 12, he got his first black belt, the highest honor in karate, and he went on to represent the U.S. in the 2nd World Open Championships in Tokyo when he was 17. He then became the North American Full Contact Champion and competed for six years in a row.

When he retired from competition, he opened up Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts which, after four decades, is now the largest martial arts school in the U.S. Over 300,000 people of all ages have participated in his school, which has locations in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.

“Our curriculum emphasizes leverage and technique, providing a distinct advantage to our students in a relatively short time,” Schulmann said. “Classes are tailored by age and skill level, ensuring adults and children train appropriately.”

The school’s motto? “Live fearlessly” – just like Tiger.

“We've empowered thousands of adults to defend themselves and their families,” said Schulmann. “Many children have overcome bullying, simply by gaining the confidence to stand up to bullies or, when necessary, fight back—with both approaches proving effective in ending harassment.”

How to Defend Yourself

Of course, if you’re in the NY-NJ-PA-CT metropolitan region, Schulmann recommends enrolling in one of his 50 different schools.

“Antisemitic attacks are surging at an alarming rate—on our streets, college campuses, outside synagogues, and at protests,” he said. “Shockingly, school administrators are turning a blind eye, and police intervention before violence erupts is highly unlikely. In these uncertain times, it is extremely important for Jewish people to train in martial arts for the purpose of self-defense.”

Additionally, it’s important not to just film someone doing something wrong and then post it – it reinforces the idea that it’s acceptable, in a way.

Schulmann said, “Why do people brazenly tear down posters of Israeli hostages in front of Jews who just put them up? Why do they feel emboldened to verbally or physically assault Jews? The answer is simple: they believe they can do so without consequences. In order to boost their egos, bullies target those whom they perceive won't fight back. Often, victims of these attacks film these incidents, but instead of deterring antisemitism, these videos inadvertently showcase vulnerability, reinforcing the notion that perpetrators can act with impunity, inviting it to repeat.”

Along with learning self-defense, he believes in being an assertive communicator if you’re in a situation where someone is tearing down posters or doing something else that’s wrong.

“Many of these assaults could be halted with assertive communication,” he said. “Confidence in handling oneself physically, if necessary, enables assertiveness and discourages aggressors. This self-assurance reduces fear and projects strength and self-respect, deterring potential altercations.”

If you don’t live near any of Schulmann’s training centers, see if other self-defense classes are being offered to your Jewish community. Perhaps it’s through a local Jewish security team or your local Jewish Federation. If you still can’t find anything, look into a self defense school that incorporates Kickboxing and Jiu Jitsu.

“Learning self-defense is transformative, not just in physical capability but in projecting confidence and self-respect,” Schulmann said. “Weakness leaves one vulnerable while strength and confidence act as a deterrent. Assertiveness backed by the ability to defend oneself physically can de-escalate situations and prevent future attacks.”

According to the martial arts master, self-defense is about more than reacting – it’s about feeling empowered to stand firm against antisemitism.

“By integrating martial arts into our education, we reclaim our security and assert our right to live without fear,” he said. “Strength not only protects us, but also sends a powerful message that we refuse to be victims. Let's take charge of our safety and ensure that our communities thrive with resilience and courage.”