2025 -- Year of the Snake -- 63 Years in USA -- 38 Years in Israel
[e-Mail from Hanshi, in response to e-Mail of Sempai Meir Amarin's New Year wish]
Thank you for your email essay Sempai Meir Amarin, for your prolific note for 2024.
I also thank your Shihan, Sensei David Tamir, and much gratitude to Kyoshi David Seeger for overseeing the Ueshiro ba'Kfar and Palisades NY Dojo(s).
Sincere "Best of All Good Things" well wishes to All Ueshiro-SRKUSA Members and loved ones, for a most successful, powerful 2024 Year of the Dragon!
We truly are "Just doing it", working and living Karate-do! "Keep training!"
Never stop!
Sincerely,
-Hanshi Robert Scaglione.
Ueshiro SRKUSA Worldwide,
[Special wish to us all from Sempai Meir Amarin, Ik-Kyu at Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba’Kfar, Israel]
As we will soon step into the New Year of the Green Dragon, let's draw inspiration from the principles of Ueshiro Shorin-ryu Karate. Just like the nimble movements of a martial artist in the green forest, this year invites us to be agile and adaptable.
In our system, we find the essence of resilience and strength - a perfect parallel to the energy associated with the Green Dragon in Chinese astrology. The Green Dragon symbolizes growth, renewal, and the vitality of spring, mirroring the constant training and growth embedded in the philosophy of our system.
May the disciplined spirit of Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu guide us through the twists and turns of the year ahead, fostering balance, harmony, and the courage to face challenges head-on. Just as the Green Dragon soars, may we rise with purpose and determination in our journey through the chapters of 2024. Happy New Year! 🌿
Domo Arigato Gozaimasu
Sempai Meir Amarin
Onegai-shimasu Ueshiro SRKUSA Worldwide,
On February 13th, thirteen (13) of our Israeli Karateka gathered for our February test and promotion event, conducted at our Kfar-Saba Country Club dojo location (see attached photo). The test included all of our traditional elements: Kata, Kihon, pushups, squat-punches, Oyotanren, Yakusoku-Kumite, questions & answers, and board-breaking.
Sempai Meir Amarin, Ik-Kyu, demonstrated the Green-Tip Test portion, followed by seven (7) deshi, who were tested and promoted from both Ueshiro Herzliya Karate Dojo (under Denshi-Shihan Nir Zamir), and Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba’Kfar (under Denshi-Shihan David Tamir).
Sensei Shlomo Dadon drove 5 hours from Eilat to support this event. His presence and participation on the Board of Judges was much appreciated. Sensei Nir Zamir was unable to attend, as he is recovering from shoulder surgery; however, his right-hand-man, Shodan Ran Sheinman, represented Sensei Zamir well on the Board of Judges, and is doing a great job stepping-in to lead the Ueshiro Herzliya Dojo during Sensei Zamir’s recovery. Nidan Eyal Elnir, from Ueshiro Dojo ba’Kfar, also supported on the Board of Judges, led by Tamir Sensei.
Congratulations to the following promoted Ueshiro SRKUSA/Israel Deshi:
Domo Arigato Gozaimasu to Hanshi and Kyoshi for your continued guidance and support.
Sincerely, Tamir Sensei.
Sensei David Tamir, Denshi-Shihan
Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba'Kfar [Village Dojo]
Kfar-Saba, Israel
Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate USA [in Israel]
Under the Direction of Hanshi Robert Scaglione
and Regional Guidance of Kyoshi David Seeger
TamirSensei@gmail.com
+1.321.471.1001 (US cell)
+972.(0)54.283.3777 (Asia cell)
www.ISRAELKARATE.com
On February 27th, we conducted a weapons introductory workshop for our karate deshi, especially our new Brown Belts. Our sister dojo, Ueshiro Herzliya Dojo hosted the workshop. As shown in the photos, Sensei Tamir brought a collection of karate weapons from over the years. He described each of the weapon types we have, its original farm tool application, as well as its inherent characteristics as a weapon.
Sensei Tamir showed some variations within each weapon type including a special “biblical” version of the Kama, as shown in the photo below. Some of you may have heard of the story of Samson from the bible, who defeated about 1000 Philistine soldiers by using a donkey’s jawbone, split to two; one in each hand. The version shown in the photo below is similar, from a buffalo’s jawbone, made by Native Americans in Colorado.
This connection of the bible story with a Kama-like weapon, is quite special for us in Israel, where Samson lived and died fighting for our freedom in our ancestral homeland. It is also a unique coincidence that the Philistines Samson fought, were originally from the Greek Island of Create, who settled in the Gaza strip area and fought many wars with Israel; including the famous David vs Goliath battle. It is important to note that today’s Palestinians are a different people from the Philistines of the bible. The history of wars in Israel, is a long and painful one. Nonetheless, we continue to move forward with Zen-Shin warrior spirit.
Onegai-shimasu Ueshiro SRKUSA Worldwide,
We continue moving forward on the heels of Passover with Green-Tip Testing, this last day of April, despite all the challenges across our world.
Congratulations to the following new Ro-Kyu from Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba'Kfar: Nira Bydeh and Adi Ziv.
As shown in the attached photo, all our dojo members showed up to train and support during today's test; following the traditions passed down to us from Master Ansei Ueshiro via Hanshi Robert Scaglione.
Sempai Eyal Elnir (Ni-Dan) joined me on the board of judges and Sempai Meir Amarin (Ik-Kyu) demonstrated the green tip test, serving as an exceptional example of our organization's quality.
Moreover, I am attaching a special image, generated by Sempai Meir Amarin leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), in commemoration of our Passover holiday, remembering our past and ongoing struggles for freedom in our ancestral homeland; with Karate strengthening us along the way.
Zen-Shin!
Domo Arigato Gozaimasu
Sensei David Tamir, Denshi-Shihan
Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba'Kfar [Village Dojo]
Kfar-Saba, Israel
Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate USA [in Israel]
Under the Direction of Hanshi Robert Scaglione
and Regional Guidance of Kyoshi David Seeger
+1.321.473.4533 (Office)
+1.321.471.1001 (US cell)
+972.(0)54.283.3777 (Asia cell)
Onegai shimasu, Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei and Deshi of USRKUSA,
Training in Florida culminated on Sunday, June 2, starting with a workout on the Cocoa Hilton Beach from 9:00 to 11:15 AM. Surrounded by clear skies and high surf, the group emphasized slowing down the warm-ups, practicing basics with full range of motion, and reviewing all kata through Naihanchi Sho at half speed and full power. Class ended with a brief demonstration of partner exercises, including 3-point arm training#2 and high-low, for developing trust in one's training partner and dealing with the chaos of combat, respectively.
A vigorous formal pre-test workout began at 1:00 PM at the Ueshiro Merritt Island Karate Dojo. The workout and subsequent test were dedicated to Grand Master Ansei Ueshiro and the 62nd Anniversary of his arrival in the USA in 1962. Black Belts from around the world trained in squatting-room-only conditions for 3-1/2 hours, as Hanshi Robert Scaglione offered high-level corrections and words of encouragement.
After a short break, formal testing began at 4:30 PM. Candidates from 13 USRKUSA Dojo demonstrated kata and, keeping with the spirit of "The Year of the Dragon", were tested on their knowledge of karate-do history and reading materials.
Testing concluded around 1:30 AM. We are pleased to announce the following promotions (listed alphabetically):
* Sho-Dan
Lisa Miller (Viera)
Steve Mumford (Downtown)
* Ni-Dan
Tony McDonald (West Melbourne)
Justin Thompson (Central Florida)
* San-Dan
Miranda Aiken (Viera)
Bill Breidenbach (Northern Virginia)
David Calligeros (Nyack)
Blue Calvo (Nyack)
Eyal Elnir (Bakfar)
Austin Hatch (Northampton)
Kevin Hutchenson (Suntree/Melbourne)
Robert Kapilow (Pine Forest)
Guy Lawrence (Northfield)
Lisa Rosenberg (Midtown)
Gene Turok (Midtown)
* Yon-Dan
Steve Hatle (Northfield)
Youjian Nistorenko (Cape Canaveral)
Jennifer Sangalang (Suntree Melbourne)
* Go-Dan
John Bottega (Midtown)
Adam Dunsby (Easton)
Richy Glassberg (Pine Forest)
Boris Grossman (Pine Forest)
Michael Margulis (Downtown)
* Shichi-Dan
Gamiel Ramson (Midtown)
Congratulations to everyone who showed up and put 110% of their body, mind and spirit into the marathon training.
Domo arigato gozaimasu to Hanshi for his leadership and guidance throughout, and to Kyoshi(s) David Seeger, Kevin Reymond, Matt Kaplan and Sal Scaglione for assisting Kyoshi Michael Mackay in running the day's events.
Deshi world-wide are encouraged to seek out those who attended the Florida weekend and glean from the wealth of knowledge shared therein.
Domo arigato gozaimasu, and "Keep Training!"
Kyoshi Michael Mackay, Shihan, Ueshiro Midtown Karate Dojo
On Behalf of the USRKUSA Executive Committee
---------------------------------------------------------------
Onegai-shimasu, Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei and Deshi,
The June 2024 Florida Karate Weekend was very special, and, like most of the Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate USA events, will likely be talked about for years to come.
At the request of Hanshi Robert Scaglione, Ju-dan and Shihan of Ueshiro Viera Karate Dojo, we’re sharing the following essay from Sensei Austin Hatch, San-Dan, of Northampton Ueshiro Karate Dojo in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Sensei Hatch wrote this after he was given permission to be reviewed by Hanshi and the Kyoshi from his Shihan, Sensei Daniel Gobillot, Shichi-dan.
======
“Mop the Floor”
June 2, 2024
Ranks and titles are curious constructs of human culture. In and of themselves, they are effectively meaningless. They do not grant us new powers, nor do they bestow new knowledge in a flash. There is a natural human tendency to seek the top — the highest rank, the “biggest” title — for the sake of the ego.
This is a fundamental misunderstanding of their purpose and function, and a difficult one to break free from. It is imperative that we try. I began working on this by mopping the floor of my dojo regularly several years ago, as a reminder that no job is beneath me and that no job that needs doing should be ignored.
In a recent email from Hanshi, it was stressed that ranks and titles, especially higher Dan ranks, are not rewards. They are, instead, something more like a formal recognition of a vocation. They are about entrusting this art to a practitioner who will do their best to continue passing the tradition on, unpolluted and with the utmost respect for its origins, our teachers, and their teachers before them.
A promotion to San-dan and the title of Sensei are not a shiny object to admire or show off. They represent a commitment and an opportunity to serve others, and to rededicate myself as an active, involved student in the art. As much as the rank denotes an ability to teach others, it also requires that the holder of that rank never cease to be an engaged student, and never to stop trying to grow as a practitioner.
Growing up, I was often reminded by parents, teachers, and one particularly inspiring scout leader that in our brief lives on Earth, it is up to us to heed the call of vocation. More than simply finding “a job,” we should find a purposeful pursuit where we can do our best work, not just for ourselves, but for others.
Teaching others in the dojo the past two years has given me too much to list here. It is a gift and an honor to teach others, and it is deserving of the utmost reverence and effort from me. My end of the deal is to do my best every single day: in my training, instruction, studies, attendance, in keeping our dojo clean, and in recruiting new students.
The scout leader I mentioned once told me, as I expressed frustration about something important gone un-done in our scout troop, that the best thing I could do — no matter my rank — was to do whatever job I saw that needed doing. It didn’t matter if someone else “should” be the one to do it. At first, I chafed at the idea that it was “on me,” but as I grew into that advice, I found it to be liberating and empowering.
If there’s a job that needs doing, I get to do it. It isn’t a millstone around my neck; rather, it is an opportunity to give back to others, to help myself, and to create the world I want to see around me, one day of sweeping the floor, putting together a newsletter, or learning to code at a time.
It is my firm belief that the rank of San-dan and its accompanying title of Sensei are not trophies to put on the shelf, nor something to lord over others to inflate my self-image, but are instead a pact made with my teachers, my students, my peers, and my community — dojo members or not — to walk the walk of karate-do. There are jobs that need doing in a dojo, an association, and a community at large. To me, to be a teacher — a Sensei — is to teach by example in every moment as best I can.
There can be no “bad day” on the deck when fellow deshi deserve the best I can bring. There can be no bad example in public life as a lineage carrying instructor of a traditional martial art with a strong set of core values rooted in respect for others. There can be no moment of ethical weakness where I make the easy choice, rather than the right one. To be a teacher is a profound gift and a commitment, and it is a chance to heed the call of vocation. I look forward to the opportunity to do whatever jobs need doing regardless of my rank, title, or position.
Communities of shared intention are powerful things. They need each of us to thrive. Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate USA thrives because of the dedication of its practitioners to upholding its values, to sustaining it in its mission, and the living examples we are given by our leadership. The least we students — any color belt, any rank or title — can do in return is whatever job we see around us that needs doing.
If a dojo floor needs to be mopped, I am happy to do it.
Domo arigato gozaimasu,
Sempai Austin Hatch, Ni-dan
Northampton Ueshiro Karate Dojo
in Northampton, Massachusetts
Onegai-shimasu Ueshiro SRKUSA Worldwide,
On August 25th, we proudly tested and promoted the following hardworking Deshi at the Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba’Kfar:
It’s exciting to grow and strengthen our dojo through these 5 white belts, along with our dedicated green belts, brown belts and black belts, all “marching” together on the traditional path of Ueshiro SRKUSA Karate-Do. It’s also exciting to have members from our sister Ueshiro Herzliya Karate Dojo, under Denshi-Shihan Nir Zamir, visit us to support this August promotion. Thank you to Sempai Ran Sheinman, Shodan and Sensei Zamir’s right-hand-man, for leading the visiting delegation from Herzliya and for joining me on the board of judges to test the candidates. Also thank you to Sempai Meir Amarin, Ik-Kyu from our Ueshiro Dojo ba’Kfar, for demonstrating the green-tip test at a very high level, exemplary of Ueshiro SRKUSA’s top quality standards; and for calling up the test candidates.
Moreover, we had even more excitement to top off this testing event, by honoring Sensei Eyal Elnir with his new San-Dan rank certificate and Black Belt with traditional kanji, sent to us by Kyoshi Michael Mackay. Sensei Elnir was tested and promoted just a few months ago in Florida in front of Hanshi, Kyoshi[s], Sensei[s], and other Black Belts.
Following the test, we gathered for Kampai at the local Beer Garden, where we had the pleasure of video conferencing with Kyoshi David Seeger, who kindly spoke with each of us, meeting some of our new students, and congratulating the new ranks. It was so great to make that connection with Kyoshi following the test.
We also discussed the exciting Kata[s] to be learned and exercised on the path forward. I recalled from years ago in Florida, Hanshi describing Jay Leno’s legendary collection of fine automobiles, as an analogy to our collection of Kata[s]. One must polish them, study them, and drive them all the time, in order to truly enjoy and appreciate them. For those who were just promoted, we are awarding two new fantastic high performance “racing cars”: Fukyugata-Ni and Fukyugata-San. For our Green Belts who were promoted to Yon-Kyu last February and learning to drive Pinan-Shodan for the past 6 months, we are also now awarding a new “racing car”: Pinan-Nidan. Selfishly, I will also enjoy “driving” these 3 specialty “cars” with renewed emphasis over the upcoming months with our deshi.
Joy, Vigor and Health to us all “driving” our high-performance Kata[s] on the Karate-Do path.
Domo Arigato Gozaimasu to Hanshi and the Kyoshi[s] for leading us on the path.
Attached please find some photos from this memorable event.
Tamir Sensei
Sensei David Tamir, Denshi-Shihan
Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba'Kfar [Village Dojo]
Kfar-Saba, Israel
Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate USA [in Israel]
Under the Direction of Hanshi Robert Scaglione
and Regional Guidance of Kyoshi David Seeger
TamirSensei@gmail.com
+1.321.473.4533 (Office)
+1.321.471.1001 (US cell)
+972.(0)54.283.3777 (Asia cell)
www.ISRAELKARATE.com
Onegai-shimasu Ueshiro SRKUSA Worldwide,
We were privileged to test and promote this past Sunday, October 27th, the following three deshi from Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba’Kfar [Village Dojo] in Kfar-Saba, Israel:
1. Mike Landa promoted to Ro-Kyu (1st Green Tip)
2. Shay Kraim promoted to Ro-Kyu (1st Green Tip)
3. Amir Avivi promoted to Go-Kyu (2nd Green Tip)
Congratulations!
They were tested per our traditional Ueshiro SRKUSA methods, as handed down to us from Master Answer Ueshiro through Hanshi Robert Scaglione. Various deshi, from both our dojo and our sister Herzliya Ueshiro Dojo, came to support the testing candidates through the pre-test workout and formal testing, as shown in the attached photos. Thank you to Sempai Ran Sheinman, Shodan under Sensei Nir Zamir from Herzliya, for supporting me on the board of judges and capturing these historic photos; and thank you to Sempai Meir Amarin, Ik-Kyu from Kfar-Saba, for demonstrating the green-tip test and calling up the test candidates.
Green-Tip Testing is very important to a dojo’s well-being as it is a manifestation of COMMITMENT through continuous training, growth, emptying our cup, recycling, and strengthening our foundation.
Domo Arigato Hanshi and Kyoshi[s] for helping us COMMIT to the continuous Karate-Do path of Ueshiro SRKUSA.
Sensei David Tamir, Denshi-Shihan
Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba'Kfar [Village Dojo]
Kfar-Saba, Israel
Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate USA [in Israel]
Under the Direction of Hanshi Robert Scaglione
and Regional Guidance of Kyoshi David Seeger
Onegai-shimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi, and Ueshiro SRKUSA Worldwide,
It’s a privilege to announce that we received permission from Hanshi to test Sempai Meir Amarin for Shodan in Israel, which we did on Friday December 21st.
Congratulations to Sempai Amarin, who passed our traditional SRKUSA challenging test, and now enters our Black Belt ranks to continue the journey up ahead, involving magnanimous Black Belt kata[s] to be learned along the path.
To help maximize warrior spirit during the test, we conducted it in a secluded part of a forest filled with pine and cypress trees, where the legendary Maccabee warriors of ancient Israel were buried.
The intense test spanned 4-5 hours, including all traditional aspects of our dan-level testing. Sempai Ran Sheinman, Ni-Dan, from the Ueshiro Herzliya Dojo (under Denshi-Shihan Nir Zamir), helped me conduct the test.
Please find a couple of attached photos; one from the test location and another from our dojo a couple days later, introducing our new Black Belt – Sempai Amarin; who is our first indigenous Sho-Dan from this dojo’s location at the Kfar-Saba Country Club.
Domo Arigato Gozaimasu Hanshi for your guidance and approval.
Happy Holidays!
Tamir Sensei
*************************************************************************************************************
Happy New Year 2025.
On Sunday December 29th, Ueshiro SRKUSA in Israel conducted at Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba’Kfar a combination green-tip test, Hanukkah celebration, and Cumpai; joined over Zoom by Kyoshi Seeger, Kyoshi Reymond, numerous Sensei and Sempai gathered at Ueshiro Pine Forest Karate Dojo in Palisades, New York; as well as joined over Zoom by Sensei Nir Zamir and Sensei Shlomo Dadon, and other members of Israel’s Ueshiro SRKUSA karateka, who could not join us in person.
Prior to Ueshiro Pine Forest Karate Dojo joining the Zoom call, we started this event with a traditional Ueshiro SRKUSA workout, in prep for our green tip test. Sempai Meir Amarin joined me to form the board of judges and help conduct the test. The test was demonstrated by Sempai Phillip Vitkovski (Yon-Kyu), visiting from Sensei Nir Zamir’s Ueshiro Herzliya Dojo. Congratulations to Mike Landa and Shay Kraim, from Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba’Kfar, who both tested well and were promoted to Go-Kyu (2nd Green Tip). It’s worth noting that this newly attained rank of 5th Kyu coincidently happened on the 5th evening of Hanukkah; each of us lit 5 candles later that evening, as part of our Hanukkah celebration. Moreover, the core of the Maccabee warriors, who led the rebellion against the Greek empire, was composed of 5 brothers, led by their father Matityahu ben-Yohanan and his eldest son, known as Judah the Maccabee. The Maccabees defeated the Greek Empire and cleansed the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, re-establishing independence.
Following our green-tip promotion and repetitions of Master Ansei Ueshiro’s Fukyugata San on our end, the Ueshiro Pine Forest Karate Dojo (following a promotion on their end) joined the Zoom call to make this an extra special event with joint Hanukkah candle lighting and punching exercises, snuffing the flames of separate non-Hanukkah candles. It was also great to meet Kyoshi Seeger’s 9-year-old grandson in Karate Gi, lighting the first Hanukkah candle. We thank Kyoshi Seeger’s leadership unifying us over these holidays, Sempai Sharona for her special words in both Hebrew and English, and all those who joined in the event on both sides of the world.
After the zoom call, we proceeded to Cumpai the new year with Israeli-made Maccabee beer, in honor of the Hanukkah Maccabee Warriors.
Domo Arigato Gozaimasu Hanshi for leading the way on our continued Karate-Do path together into 2025.
Please find attached historic photos from this combined special event.
Sincerely, Tamir Sensei.
Sensei David Tamir, Denshi-Shihan
Ueshiro Karate Dojo ba'Kfar [Village Dojo]
Kfar-Saba, Israel
Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate USA [in Israel]
Under the Direction of Hanshi Robert Scaglione
and Regional Guidance of Kyoshi David Seeger