This is an amazing organization that does wonderful work empowering women and teaching them how to live strong fear free Life.
El HaLev changes the lives of women, giving them the confidence to walk down the street without fear, to take charge of their lives, to say no. The team works in Israel with Jews, Arabs and Bedouins, it works abroad in the U.S. and in towns and villages in Africa. Wherever they go they leave behind lower rape statistics and a team of trained women to carry on their work and spread the wisdom. This is a non-profit that seeks to change the world -- to create a better universe that is more equal and more fair, a place where violence is a thing of the past. And they are doing this one self-defense for empowerment class at at a time.
There is an epidemic of physical and sexual violence. There are many organisations that help victims,but very few that teach preventative action. El Halev does an outstanding job doing just that-teaching self-defence and empowerment to children and adults in many parts of the world. We don't need to be saved from drowning if we learn to swim!!!!
I was in my 50's when I took El HaLev's Empowerment Self-Defense course, what I loved most about it was the approach. It wasn't about telling me what to do in every situation that may occur, but more like adding skills to my tool box and I could choose when and how to use them. I learned to listen to my body and trust that I know what to do. After the course I realized that I have the freedom to choose and make decisions over my own body; I think every woman, of every age and background, should take this course.
I took my first empowerment self-defense class at El HaLev about 3 years ago. I'd heard good things, and I thought it would be good for me. And it was.
In fact, it was so good I kept going back. I even signed up for karate, which is something I never saw coming. I now train at El HaLev 3-4 times a week.
I'd never considered myself athletic or particularly strong, but thanks to the expertise and patience of the instructors, that's changed. I can break boards and kick with more height and power than I ever would have imagined.
More importantly, I have a collection of verbal and physical tools to keep me safe, and the confidence to use them.
Best of all, El HaLev has become my community and my home away from home. I have definitely found my tribe.
My daughter and I did Impact at El HaLev. We both had terrific experiences. The support given by the staff during the training was empowering. The sense of accomplishment far exceeded my expectations. I am glad I have never had to use my training outside of El HaLev but I am happy to have it in my "tool box" if I ever needed it. And as a parent, I am thrilled to have been able to give that gift to my daughter!
My mom, sister and wife took the 10 meetings class for self defense and empowering for women. The course was very good and it gave them tools to handle real life situations. I highly recommend it.
While I can’t really be seen as unbiased, as one of the founders, I have to say that the incredible team that works diligently to make sure as many women and girl receive Empowerment Self Defense training are something I am super proud of. They make this organization great!
After taking the Impact course offered by El Halev, I was wearing their T shirt. A man surprised me and came up close behind me, too close. Once there, he asked, almost whispered, “What’s Impact?” I turned towards him, with full confidence, looked him in the eyes, raised my hands and answered in a strong voice, “It’s a women’s self Defence course.” He stopped, heard me, raised both hands with his palms open towards me, as he slowly walked backwards, trying to extricate himself cleanly without provoking me. Then lowered his eyes, turned and walked quickly away. I felt strong, safe and secure, even with no obvious other help in sight. Thank you El Halev.
I was drugged with rape drug, and due to the training to I had gotten years before from El HaLev I was able to recognize the effects of the drug, get up and leave the situation without more harm inflicted to me, and get myself help.
I recently took a self-defense course with El Halev. In a limited amount of time (3 sessions of 3 hours each) I feel I learn a lot about how to defend myself and also a lot about myself. The course was the right combination of thinking about and sharing experiences on setting healthy boundaries and practical self-defense exercises.
The instructor was amazing in her ability at the same time to listen to the participants and to direct the course in the direction she wanted to led us to.
Last but not least I met wonderful women there, coming from very different backgrounds (Jews, Muslims, Christians, Israeli and non Israeli, religious and non-religious).
I came out of this course mentally stronger and more fit physically to face any threat against me or my loved ones.
El Halev changed my life.
I always had a huge fear of being attacked, and even though I took Karate, was never sure of my ability to react in an empowered way. I experienced a lot of harassment and even an incident of assault, and I wanted to come off as tough and strong so that I wouldn't have to suffer from it anymore, but I lacked tools by which to react to the everyday scenarios I was experiencing.
After training with El Halev, I developed trust and belief in my ability to be strong and fight, but I also gained concrete tools for setting healthy boundaries in my every day life with my family, colleagues, friends, and strangers on the street. I started living an assertive, empowered lifestyle, demanding respect from those interacting with me and was therefore more able to achieve personal goals and love myself and others without complications.
I wish I had this resource when I was young. My life would have been completely different.
-Jackie Hyman
Age 31
Israel