Guardian Self Defense (GSD) is a disciplined, fearless community organization designed to proactively confront antisemitism on all fronts—physical, intellectual, spiritual, and strategic. Founded in December 2019 as a response to the ongoing attacks on Jews in New York City, it started with a pilot program of forty men training Krav Maga in Crown Heights. GSD’s mission is to safeguard and empower the Jewish community, particularly in the face of rising antisemitism.
Traditional Krav Maga (TKM) was brought in to teach the program, which – despite launching right before the COVID-19 pandemic – rapidly grew to weekly classes taught in its headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Following the success of the men’s program, GSD launched a women’s only program, which also quickly grew to classes of 30 women each cycle.
The partnership between TKM and GSD, with strong instructional support led by TKM’s many seasoned instructors, has flourished over the past six years. With locations opening in Manhattan, Florida, and Austin, mirroring the Crown Heights model, GSD serves men and women in all communities to learn self-defense skills and build confidence to protect themselves and others.
Dozens of students have achieved their belt ranks through the GSD program under the TKM model, and a handful have completed the Instructor Courses with the goal of leading the community program from within – of course, with TKM’s unwavering support and proven methods.