Stand Alone Role Model
BY MOSHE KATZ 
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL

Saturday Night, September 5, 2026, Valley Village, California, USA

Visiting the Valley where I once lived, street signs bring back memories of people I once knew, some are dead and some are living, in my life I loved them all. I see where I trained in Dux Ninjitsu, I see where I studied and prayed, and I recall how happy my parents were over here, may they rest in peace. 

I still have a friend who lives here, and he has invited me over for dinner, as I near his home I pass by a familiar building, here lived my dear friend Rabbi Mordechai Ganzweig of blessed memory, who passed away long ago, too young. 

He was a teacher in the yeshiva (rabbinical academy) where I studied, and I formed a close friendship with him. Only years later would I truly value some of the hidden lessons he passed on to me, without my really knowing at the time. 

Walking down the street, I passed where he lived, and suddenly I am a young man again, living here in the Valley, studying in the yeshiva, it is after the morning service and Rabbi Ganzweig and I are chatting, about life. I see the familiar tables, I see the students rushing off to their morning activities, the books piled on the tables, and Rabbi Gazweig and I tarry a bit for a brief conversation. I can see his face, we are in the present. He talks of life... he talks of pain. 

The years pass...

It was as if he was planting some wisdom in my mind, Life Wisdom that would help me many years later, long after he passed from this earthly life.

Rabbi Ganzweig was a rabbi, an Orthodox Jew, and a hasid, (Chasid) but within the framework of this world he had his own approach, his own way of thinking. He taught in a school where he was a bit different from the other rabbis, a little more old school, but he never tried to fit in, and never tried to be "one of the gang", even though that would have made life simpler and easier for him. Years later this example would serve me well. He held to his own way, his own view of the truth. Being popular was never his goal, being truthful and honest, and being himself, was. 

For me this became a lesson in life, do not seek popularity if that means giving up who you are, being true to yourself. Getting a job, holding on to a job, is never as important as being yourself.  I recall walking with your Rabbi Ganzweig during a Shabbat we spent together in the city, looking back I can see that the "outside world" had no impact on him, he lived his way of life and never tried to accommodate himself to others. The outside world of Los Angeles that mesmerizes and seduces so many people from around the world, Hollywood with its stars and glitter, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive and all the money and plastic surgery and the focus on what you look like and " making an impression", had Zero impact on him.

As I move through life I see many in my field who learn to "follow the pack" rather than risk sticking to their own path. They give up their unique gifts in order to fit in and succeed more, the "go along with it" rather than go alone at it. 

Rabbi Ganzweig Z"L (of blessed memory) had his way, a way he followed and from which he never wavered.  This is a difficult way to follow, to live, but it sets an example. To stand alone and stand strong. Looking back, this had an impact on me, while others encouraged students to "fit in", your father lived a life where he followed his truth.

He also stressed that if you see your path clearly before you, follow it no matter what. but if it is not so clear, then weigh your options carefully before committing to one way, because later on you might be stuck with that decision and no longer have options. Having options in life is important. 

To me he was a man who was willing to stand alone, if need be, but to be true. Later on in my life this would prove to be an important point, as in the Krav Maga world and other aspects of life I often stand alone, with my truth and my beliefs, though these are not always the popular or accepted ones.

Rabbi Ganzweig was a man of faith, tradition, principle and brutal honesty. I valued his friendship, I respect his guidance, and I cherish his memory.

(Adapted from a letter I wrote to his son) 

Moshe2021

Moshe Katz, 8th dan Black Belt, Israeli Krav Maga. Certified by Wingate Institute. Member Black Belt hall of fame, USA and Europe.

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