I was born at Tel-Aviv,
Israel, on August 1934.
During the 8 years from 1940
to 1948, I resided at a Kibbutz as a student, where
I first encountered the
subject of personal self defense and cold weapon fighting, from watching
the "Palmach" (the underground Jewish fighting brigades) practices
during the Israeli Independence War.
The Judo, at the time,
included contact fighting, boxing, cane fighting, knifes, and so on. I
was then at the ages of 11 to 14.
Later at Tel-Aviv, till my
army service in 1952, I instructed self-defense and cold-weapon fighting
to teenage youth in gymnastics courses at summer camps. In the army I
concluded with honors the physical education and self-defense
instructors' course, taught by Imi. I served as an instructor to the
Navy's Commando for several months.
After the release from the
army, I went to Wingate Institute's school for physical education for
six years, graduating the instructors program and teaching in youth
camps and summer camps, till moving to Italy in 1961 for studies and
work. At Rome, I instructed Jews in self defense under the custody of
the Jewish Agency.
In 1964 I moved to Paris,
France, and was introduced to Shotokan Karate-Do taught by Daniel Shemla,
supervised by Sensei Oshima, and became their direct and regular
student. During that time and for 3 years, I conducted formal work in
behalf of the Jewish Agency as self-defense instructor for the Jews of
Europe against Anti-Semitism and Fascism. At the same opportunity I
learned Karate regularly and continuously ti111969, along with
instruction of combat issues for groups and individuals in various
frameworks.
I have been among the
founders of France Shotokan Karate-Do. Along this time I participated in
Aiki-Do trainings for two years.
In 1969 I came back to
Israel- stationed for army reserved duties at Instruction Base 8 as
self-defense instructor. Following suit, I trained El-Al security
agents, bodyguards, policemen, soldiers and in other frameworks.
In early 1970 I founded the
Israel Shotokan Karate-Do association, which today developed to over 40
branches in all the country with thousands of practitioners. My base of
operation was Tel- Aviv and Jerusalem.
Later on I participated in
the foundation of the Israeli Karate Association and served as board
member. During these years, I participated in 3 Maccabia's (Jewish
llOIyrnpicsl')l from the lOth to the 12th Maccabia, as coach, team
leader and coordinator of the Karate league.
I was member in the National
Committee of Martial Arts in the Wingate Institute, functioning as a
coordinator, instructor and lecturer in training courses for martial art
instructors and trainers, in behalf of the School of Trainers. In
addition, I managed the first Karate Tournament Referee course in the
country , under the custody of Sensei Oshima.
Today, I am Honorary
President of Israel Shotokan Karate-Do association, after 25 years of
acting president, and I bare the Sth Dan degree -the highest in the
method -with the title of Shihan (Senior Leader).
In the present I teach at my
two Dojo's in Herzelya and Jerusalem, and the rest of Shotokan's
branches are lead by my past students, who are today the senior 5th-Dan
instructors of Shotokan.
Today I'm also occupied in
developing new methods of learning and teaching in physical activities,
self-defense and healing, including promotion of a new alternative and
natural healing method in the name of Alternatherapy.
Meir Yahel
Herzelya, Israel Summer 2004