Sports: Karate king

Issue of Feb. 27, 2009 / 3 Adar 5769 The Jews of Megillat Esther, in exile in the 127 provinces ruled by King Achashverosh, were undisciplined and ignored Mordechai’s warning to stay away from the king’s bacchanalian bash. They lacked self-confidence and unity and were described as a “nation who is scattered and spread out throughout the nations.” To underscore the importance of discipline and self-confidence to the 11th graders in his Navi shiur at HAFTR, Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen brought his students to a martial arts class – perhaps the epitome of discipline and self-confidence. In a class at Sensei Warren Levi’s dojo on Central Avenue, Rabbi Oppen’s talmidim discovered that not only is he a talented rebbe and administrator but also packs quite the roundhouse kick.

— Staff report