The only real way to evaluate a training program is to see the Instructors in person; "certifications" mean little if skill level, Krav Maga experience, fighting ability, enthusiasm and instructional talent are not also readily apparent. Come in and see for yourself why we are San Diego's world-wide respected representative of the global Krav Maga family!

Click HERE to see "Photos" and "Krav Maga Around the World"

Our team consists of Lead Instructor Dana Ben Kaplan,
and Instructors experienced in realistic Krav Maga, trained by the International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF), based in Netanya, Israel.

Krav Maga San Diego has Instructors fluent in Spanish, French, and German.

Dana has been with Krav Maga continuously for over 19 years, training here at the Lawrence Family JCC in San Diego, in addition to Los Angeles, other locations in the USA/Canada, extensively throughout Europe, and in Israel (primarily with the International Krav Maga Federation).

Certified Krav Maga Instructor for:

Military
Law Enforcement
Civilians
Children


Nancy Urbina began her training with Korean martial arts, including Tae Kwan Do and Soo Bahk Do, and in 2003 earned her 1st Degree Black Belt in Soo Bahk Do. Feeling a need for simple self-defense techniques, she began training in Krav Maga at the Lawrence Family JCC in San Diego in 2002. Enjoying the beauty and traditions of martial arts and the natural instincts and more explosive fighting techniques from Krav Maga, she continued to cross train in both systems until 2006 when she earned her Krav Maga Instructor’s Certification through the International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF).
Nancy has trained throughout Southern California with Eyal Yanilov, Chief Instructor of Israel's International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF), and in Montreal, Canada, with IKMF Co-Directors Avi Moyal, in 2006, and Gabi Noah, in 2007.
Nancy continues to train as a student, and specializes in training Women, as well as Private Training with civilians of all ages.


Benjamin Halcewicz started training in Shotokan, a traditional Japanese style of karate, in Paris when he was 5 years old, under the instruction of his father, Thadee Halcewicz, a 6th degree black belt. Thadee was certified as an Instructor by the French government (a national legal requirement there to teach martial arts). 10 years later, at the age of 15, Benjamin started training in boxing to supplement his skills. After also becoming certified by the French government as a Shotokan Instructor, he moved to San Diego at the age of 22 to pursue karate training with Sensei Nishiyama, the highest ranked Shotokan practitioner worldwide, an original student of the founder of the style, Sensei Gichin Funakoshi. Looking for a system that included more weapons defenses and ground skills, while his father was visiting from France, they both attended a Krav Maga seminar taught by Eyal Yanilov, Chief Instructor of Israel's International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF). Benjamin and his father were so impressed they continued to train, Thadee visiting San Diego for periods of time from France. Eventually, together they attended an IKMF Instructor's Course in Paris, taught by IKMF Co-Director Gabi Noah.
Benjamin continues to train as a student, and is the Lead Instructor of Krav Maga San Diego - Point Loma. He specializes in Private Training, and working with children.

click here to go back to top of page

Krav Maga San Diego, at the same great location for over 19 years, since 1991, is San Diego's authentic, long-time, established Krav Maga program. We are the only local Krav Maga organization recognized worldwide for international curriculum and standardized testing. Krav Maga San Diego provides realistic Krav Maga training in the original spirit for which it was intended by Imi Lichtenfeld (who Dana knew). We will make sure you get your money's worth out of your training!
*Please note that we do not teach a "recreational", "aerobic", or "fitness" version of krav maga.
Honest feedback is encouraged from our members and processed for continual improvement to our program.

We operate an active International Krav Maga Exchange Program with other Krav Maga locations around the world, commonly hosting visiting Instructors and Students from any Krav Maga organization.

Krav Maga San Diego is a North American Application Center for the "IKMF Tour and Train in Israel" program. North Americans may contact us at Info@KravMagaSD.com for an official Application. If you live outside of North America, see the "Resources" page, "Israel", for program details and applications from IKMF.
Visit us in class to speak with many Krav Maga San Diego students who have attended the Tour and Train program.

At Krav Maga San Diego, we actively give back to our community. We have a very strong and long-standing relationship with local Law Enforcement agencies; US Armed Services; various assistance organizations; Women's Self-Defense groups; San Diego's Jewish community, etc.
Organizations interested in corporate sponsorship or an appearance by our Demo Team, please contact us at Info@KravMagaSD.com.

click here to go back to top of page


Krav Maga San Diego, it's students, and staff are proud to volunteer their time and money to help the following programs:

Armed Services YMCA     
(see Photos, Krav Maga San Diego in our Community)
    www.asymca.org

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training -
    Valerie Bradley
     www.active.com/donate/tntsdh

Childrens Hospital - Firefighters Playroom Toy Drive
    www.playroomtoydrive.com
    (2005 - site now down)

picART - Creative Arts and Youth Development Programs      www.picart4kids.org

Friends of the Israel Defense Forces "Project Dignity"
    (December 2004)    www.israelsoldiers.org

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk to Cure Diabetes -
    Jorge Rosental   (October 2004, and September 2004)
    San Diego - http://walk.jdrf.org/walker.cfm?id=85824363 and     New York City - http://walk.jdrf.org/walker.cfm?id=85792290">

Tlalim San Diego Fundraiser - educational computers for children
    homebound due to terrorism injury/illness (December 2003)     www.tlalim.co.il/index_en.asp

Krav Maga San Diego fields Teams for the (see Message Board)
United States Marine Corp Boot Camp Challenge      www.bootcampchallenge.com
and
Camp Pendleton Mud Run
     http://www.camppendletonraces.com/mud_sat.html

click here to go back to top of page