2025 -- Year of the Snake -- 63 Years in USA -- 38 Years in Israel
The November 2022 scheduled 60th Anniversary training weekend in Florida was postponed due to a Hurricane, taking place instead on February 4-8, 2023. Tamir Sensei participated as Israel's representative, while Sensei Kurt Tezel from Merritt Island Florida, visited and led training in Israel at the same time:
Onegai-Shimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei and all Deshi,
On Sunday night I had the privilege and honor of teaching Sensei(s) Tamir and Zamir’s students in Kfar-Saba, Israel.
The class commenced at 6:30pm on Sunday February 6th Israel time, or 11:30am on Sunday Florida time; the exact time that Hanshi was teaching the penultimate karate weekend class in Suntree/Melbourne. We worked hard to channel some of that energy and excitement from over 6500 miles away.
Domo Arigato,
Sensei Kurt Tezel, RoKyu Dan
Ueshiro Merritt Island Karate Dojo
_
Onegai-shimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei and deshi of USRKUSA
The event commemorating the 60th Anniversary of Master Ueshiro's arrival in the United States was held this past weekend with "Joy and Vigor''. Domo arigato, Hanshi for your inspiration and much "Gold" over the five days of training. Arigato to Sensei Trevor and the Florida deshi for their hospitality and hard work to make this weekend run smoothly.
The weekend kicked off at the 6:00 PM class on Thursday night at the Suntree/Melbourne dojo. Kyoshi David Baker conducted the class and Hanshi offered corrections and key points of instruction. One of the focal points of the class was executing warm ups, basics and kata with attention to a two second pause between each move. Hanshi reinforced the importance of rooting down, pausing to collect oneself and executing proper technique when ready.
The Friday morning 6:00 AM sunrise workout at the Merritt Island Dojo was conducted by Kyoshi Sal Scaglione. A large and enthusiastic group of deshi were in attendance as Kyoshi Sal led us through warm-ups, basics and numerous repetitions of kata. At sunrise, Kyoshi moved us outside to perform a repetition of Fukyugata San at full speed and power. After bowing out we gathered in groups to train weapons with the bo group being led by Kyoshi Michael Mackay and Sensei Ron Ballin; the nunchakus led by Kyoshi Kevin Reymond; the tuifa group under the direction of Sensei Chris Barnes and the sai group instructed by Sensei Dan Gobillot.
The Annual Women's Workout was conducted by Sensei Kim Garon Friday evening at 5:00 PM at the Viera Rec Center. In addition to conducting a workout, Sensei Garon reviewed assault prevention measures, the application of Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu techniques in self defense situations and yakusoku kumite.
Kyoshi David Seeger conducted the Friday, 6:00 PM class at the Viera Rec Center. Kyoshi Seeger led the group through warm-ups, kihon and numerous repetitions of kata. Hanshi oversaw the training and placed emphasis on executing proper stances with a strong foundation, particularly our heels in zenkutsu-dachi.
Gusty winds, rough surf and bright sunshine greeted us Saturday morning at 9:00 AM for the annual beach workout. Groups of deshi gathered early and trained kata and weapons on the beach. Kyoshi Mackay led the class through warm ups, basics, kata and yakusoku kumite. Kyoshi Mackay and Kyoshi Sal performed a demonstration of Yakusoku Kumite I through IV. Hanshi provided instruction and demonstration of the proper execution of the final defensive move in Yakusoku Kumite II. The deshi were broken down into groups for kata training as the Kyoshi, Sensei Rob Neff and Sensei Garon rotated among the groups. Hanshi reviewed each group and provided valuable guidance and instruction. Later in the early evening Hanshi, the Kyoshi and a large contingent of deshi gathered at The Avenues in Viera to break bread and socialize. Hanshi then led the group for a solemn visit to the 911 Memorial nearby.
The annual informal weapons nighttime beach workout was held per tradition on the Cocoa Hilton beach under a full moon. Groups performed repetitions of the bo, nunchakus, sai and tuifa kata to wrap up a full day of Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu.
The Annual Black Belt Workout began Sunday morning at 10:00 AM at the Suntree/Melbourne Dojo. Black belts gathered early to work on kata and weapons in groups before the formal class started. Hanshi led the formal workout through warm-ups, basics and kata. Hanshi placed significant attention on stepping first, rooting down, and the fundamentals of executing proper technique. Hanshi then oversaw the group training of Yakusoku Kumite which included a demonstration of Yakusoku I through IV by Kyoshi Seeger and Sensei Preston Powell. The workout was followed by a Shihan meeting led by Hanshi.
On Monday morning at 8:00 AM deshi gathered at the Merritt Island Dojo for a recap of the points covered during the weekend and a question and answer session led by Hanshi.
Starting with the Thursday night class and throughout the weekend Hanshi referred us to Anko Itosu's "The Ten Lessons of Te '' which can be found in Master Nagamine's book, "Tales of Okinawa's Great Masters". This was a valuable review as the ten lessons cover the broad principles of diligence and hard work; the need to explore our techniques; the importance of visualization; karate as a means to avoid using one's hands; there are no shortcuts in the training of karate; the necessity of using the makiwara in our training and the development of ki. Hanshi emphasized that we should train to develop our ki, with its center being our tanden. This was the most important lesson of the weekend - only through proper training, focusing our energy, firmly gripping the deck and rooting down will we be able to develop ki in our tanden.
Domo arigato gozaimasu,
Kyoshi Kevin Reymond on behalf of Hanshi Scaglione
and the Executive Committee
Sensei Tezel in Israel leading the 60th Anniversary training Sunday evening at Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba'Kfar, while Sensei Tamir is away training in Florida
Onegai-shimasu Ueshiro SRKUSA Worldwide,
On February 19, 2023, Ueshiro SRKUSA in Israel tested and promoted the following deshi at Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba'Kfar:
• Eduardo Tartacovsky promoted to Yon-Kyu Green Belt, Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba'Kfar
• Meir Amarin promoted to Ni-Kyu Brown Belt, Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba'Kfar
Congratulations to both on their hard work and tenacity on our path of Karate-Do.
The board of judges was composed of:
• Sempai Eyal Elnir, Nidan, Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba'Kfar
• Denshi-Shihan Nir Zamir, Godan, Ueshiro Karate Dojo Hertzelia
• Denshi-Shihan David Tamir, Shichidan, Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba'Kfar
Additional Deshi showing up to support the test were:
• Carlos Dyk, Ro-Kyu, Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba'Kfar
• Miki Gotlib, San-Kyu, Ueshiro Karate Dojo Hertzelia
The test was conducted per the guidelines and traditions of Ueshiro SRKUSA under the Direction of Hanshi Robert Scaglione. The test included kata, Oyotanren (for Yon-Kyu), Yakusoku Kumite, Q&A, board breaking, and awarding of traditional certificates signed by Master Ueshiro and Hanshi Scaglione. Please find attached photos taken at the conclusion of the promotion.
Domo Arigato to all those participating and to Hanshi Scaglione and Kyoshi Seeger for their continued guidance and instruction to improve and strengthen our karate.
Domo Arigato Gozaimasu
Tamir and Zamir Sensei[s]
Denshi-Shihan[s]
Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate USA in Israel
Sensei Carla Eddy, Shihan of the Cape Canaveral Florida Dojo, visited Israel as part of her church tour group. She arrived one day early for karate training, before meeting up with her tour group. Shodan Ran Shineman of Ueshiro Herzliya Dojo and Sensei David Tamir of Ueshiro Dojo ba'Kfar welcomed Sensei Carla Eddy with a unique outdoor sunset workout at the Pisgah Park in Jaffa, overlooking the beach and City of Tel-Aviv. We worked several black belt kata with joy and vigor. Afterwards we walked the unique alleys of the historic City of Jaffa, to enjoy a traditional Middle Eastern dinner at the Old Man & the Sea Restaurant, located at the ancient Port of Jaffa.
Domo Arigato Sensei Carla Eddy for taking the time to visit us during your first trip to Israel.
Flying to Israel
Onegai-shimasu Ueshiro SRKUSA Worldwide,
On Friday April 21st, representatives from all three Ueshiro Karate Dojo[s] in Israel, climbed Mount Masada and conducted our 2023 Katathon consisting of 100 kata.
Participating Karateka:
• Denshi-Shihan Sensei David Tamir and Sempai Meir Amarin from Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba'Kfar
• Denshi-Shihan Sensei Shlomo Dadon and Sempai Paz Hershko from Ueshiro Karate Eilat Dojo
• Sempai Ran Sheinman from Ueshiro Karate Herzliya Dojo
This katathon was dedicated to several converging events: Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance (Yom HaShoah), Master Ueshiro’s Birthday (Yom Huledet), Israel’s Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron), and Israel’s 75th Independence Day (Yom HaAtsmaut); occurring April 18-20-25-26, respectively.
Masada is a very special place, where Jewish warriors fought for Freedom against the Romans. This year we climbed up the mountain using the western trail, where the Romans built a huge battering ramp all the way to the top. We then walked around the perimeter of the mountain top, along its fortress walls, seeing the ancient remnants of the Roman encampments surrounding the mountain far below. We then made our way to the northern end of the mountain, where King Herod built a palace along three levels. At the lowest 1st level of the palace is a beautiful terrace, overlooking the Dead Sea. We conducted our Katathon on this terrace, shown in the attached photos.
It was a truly rewarding katathon!
Afterwards, we climbed down the mountain and drove to the Dead Sea for a refreshing dip/float in it's super-saturated mineral waters. We then had a delicious, traditional hummus lunch.
Masada, the Dead Sea, and the nearby Ein-Gedi Oasis are all waiting for you to visit. We look forward to training with you there and at other historic locations around Israel, as well as visiting you.
Domo Arigato Gozaimasu
Tamir Sensei
Ueshiro SRKUSA Israel
Under the direction of Hanshi Robert Scaglione
and guidance of Kyoshi David Seeger
Onegai-shimasu Ueshiro SRKUSA Worldwide,
On Thursday evening, June 22nd, we conducted a traditional Ueshiro SRKUSA Green Tip Test, following a full workout, at our Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba’Kfar in Israel.
Congratulations to Sempai Motti Cohen, who was promoted to Ro-Kyu (1st Green Tip).
Thank you to Sempai Meir Amarin, Ni-Kyu, who assisted by demonstrating the test at a very high level.
Thank you to Mickey Gotlieb, San-Kyu from Sensei Nir Zamir’s Ueshiro Herzliya Dojo, who visited us to train and show support.
Please see photo attached.
Domo Arigato Gozaimasu
and Best Regards
Tamir Sensei
Denshi-Shihan
Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba'Kfar
Kfar-Saba, Israel
Under the direction of Hanshi Robert Scaglione
and the regional guidance of Kyoshi David Seeger
Onegai-shimasu Ueshiro SRKUSA Worldwide,
Yesterday evening, August 8, we tested and promoted the following deshi at Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba’Kfar in Israel:
• Eduardo Tartacovsky promoted to San-Kyu (Brown Tips)
• Meir Amarin promoted to Ik-Kyu (Black Tips)
Congratulations to both for persevering our traditional testing experience, following a spirited workout with all those showing up to support along our path of Karate-Do. Special thank you to members from our “sister” dojo in Herzliya (under Sensei Nir Zamir), who also joined us in support.
The Board of Judges consisted of:
• Sempai Ran Sheinman, Shodan (Ueshiro Herzliya Dojo)
• Sempai Eyal Elnir, Nidan (Ueshiro Dojo ba’Kfar)
• Denshi-Shihan David Tamir, Shichidan (Ueshiro Dojo ba’Kfar)
Please see attached photo following the rank awards. Of special note are the growing number of white belts and a new beginner (only his 2nd class).
Domo Arigato Gozaimasu to Hanshi and the Kyoshi[s] for leading our growth forward.
Tamir Sensei
Denshi-Shihan
Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba’Kfar
Kfar-Saba, Israel
Under the direction of Hanshi Robert Scaglione
and guidance of Kyoshi David Seeger
Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate USA
Onegai-shimasu Ueshiro SRKUSA Worldwide,
On Tuesday August 29 both Israeli Dojo held special training session followed by Ni-Kyu (Brown Belt) Rank Testing for 2 students: Mr. Miki Gotlieb and Mr. Gil Eran.
The Formal Class was conducted by Sempai Ran Sheinman, Sho Dan.
The board of judges, headed by Tamir Sensei and including Sheinman Sempai and Zamir Sensei, reviewed the 2 candidates' kata, technique-performance and Yakusoku Kumite, and passed both contenders to the next level.
We are grateful for all those who participated in the training and test, including Sempai Meir Amarin and Sempai Shosh Bialer!
We are also grateful for the opportunity to sit together, after completing the test and training session, for a group Kampai outdoors near the Dojo; in the quiet of the evening and near the pool.
Congratulations to Sempai Miki Gotlieb, and Sempai Gil Eran, who were promoted to Ni Kyu (Brown Belt) level.
Thank you, Tamir Sensei, for leading and guiding us, yesterday and always, Domo Arigato!
Thank you Kyoshi Seeger for your ever-present teaching and spirit driving us forward & up!
And thank you Hanshi, for leading and watering all of us, all these years, with the gift of your teaching leadership and art, Domo Arigato!
Please see photo attached and the 2 paragraphs submitted by the testing Deshi.
Domo Arigato Gozaimasu and Best Regards
Zamir Sensei, Go-Dan
Denshi-Shihan
Ueshiro Karate Dojo Herzliya
Israel Under the direction of Hanshi Robert Scaglione
and the regional guidance of Kyoshi David Seeger
Onegai-shimasu Hanshi and Ueshiro SRKUSA Worldwide,
On December 10th, Ueshiro SRKUSA in Israel conducted Green-Tip Testing. Sensei Nir Zamir, Denshi-Shihan of the Ueshiro Herzliya Karate Dojo, hosted this special joint event with visitors from Ueshiro Dojo ba’Kfar, led by Denshi-Shihan David Tamir.
This was a unique event as it occurred during our Hanukkah celebration of light overcoming darkness, during a stressful period of war currently being fought at Israel.
Helping us celebrate this event, making it extra special, was Kyoshi Seeger’s Ueshiro Pine Forest Dojo. We connected over zoom video web conferencing and recorded the event (see attached images). Sempai Sharona, on behalf of the participating US Karateka, shared meaningful words in Hebrew, in a show of support for us in Israel.
We then lit Hanukkah candles in tandem over zoom at our respective dojo[s] on both ends of the world. The candles on the Israel side, were lit by the following three white belts, who were successfully tested and promoted, shortly thereafter, for the rank of Go-Kyu (two green-tips).
• Motti Cohen promoted to Go-Kyu; Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba'Kfar
• Aliza Barzily promoted to Go-Kyu; Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba'Kfar
• Philip Vitkovsky promoted to Go-Kyu; Ueshiro Herzliya Karate Dojo
Prior to the test performance, we turned the dojo lights off and trained in our Ueshiro Karate to the light of the Hanukkah candles, overcoming the dark; commemorating the workout to our hostages and soldiers currently fighting and those who have fallen to protect our freedom and right to live in our homeland, dating back thousands of years; as did the Jewish Maccabees in ancient times.
Following the test prep workout, we turned the lights back on for the actual traditional Ueshiro SRKUSA testing performance, including a high quality test demonstration by Sempai Meir Amarin (Ik-Kyu).
At the end of the promotion, in addition to rank certificates and green tips, we awarded these three deshi a precious Hanukkah gift — their first introduction to Master Ansei Ueshiro’s Fukyugata-San, paving their Karate-Do path forward. We then continued with a compai and viewing of the 1989 DVD, while enjoying some traditional Hanukkah pastries, drinks, and fruit. Sensei Nir Zamir, who appeared in portions of this historic 1989 video, filmed during his days training at the NYC Lexington Ave Dojo, provided first hand commentary.
Domo Domo Arigato to all for making this possible during these difficult days in Israel.
Respectfully,
David Tamir and Nir Zamir Sensei[s]
Denshi-Shihan[s]
Ueshiro SRKUSA Israel
Under the Direction of Hanshi Robert Scaglione
And regional guidance of Kyoshi David Seeger
Tamir Sensei visited Hanshi's and participated in his Saturday, morning Ueshiro Viera Dojo class. on December 16, 2023. At the end of the workout, Sensei Tamir presented a special gift and letter of appreciation from his Israel-based Shihan, Sempai, and Deshi. The gift was planned for Hanshi's recent October birthday, but was delayed due to the war in Israel. The gift is a pair of special Kama, Hanshi's karate weapon of choice. These Kama are each collapsible into a small form factor, like large pocket knives, stored in compact cases, which may be worn on one's belt. Sensei Tamir decorated the two Kama cases with tactical flags of the USA and Israel (i.e., red on black -- Hanshi's colors); in recognition of the special alliance between both our countries in Karate as well as military defense.
[e-Mail from Hanshi to Ueshiro SRKUSA Worldwide:]
It is said pictures or photos are worth 1000 words.. Enjoy the photos of Israel Dojo Sensei David Tamir's visit to Florida plus a written essay from one of his dedicated Deshi, Sempai Meir Amarin.
-A large group of 20 Florida deshi enjoyed a two hour workout at the Ueshiro Viera Dojo, afterwards Sensei Tamir made this special presentation.
-Much gratitude goes out to our Israeli Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate Members.
We all literally -"Keep Training!"
Sincerely-
-Hanshi Robert Scaglione