Last week a group of Orthodox Jews prepared for “knock out” attacks in a class held in a synagogue basement. Thirty people gathered to be trained in the art of krav maga, an Israeli martial art at the Young Israel of Queens Valley Synagogue.
Instructor Avraham Avramcheyiv explained “The knockout game is a terrible thing, but not a lot of people know about it. “People these days are naive and unaware of what’s going on around them. The most important thing to focus on is being aware of your surroundings.”
Residents in the neighborhood are concerned about the attacks.
Female student Sigalit Nissanov, 33, noted, “You never think this type of thing is going to happen to you. No one expects to be punched randomly in the street.
When I heard about the woman who got punched a few blocks from here, I was mortified. It made me want to take some action.”
“It’s frightening to me,'” said computer analyst Henry Moscovic, 62. “People should be aware if it. I know some men and women got hurt pretty badly.
“There’s no purpose or rhetoric to these assaults,'” he said. “It’s a very random thing. I don’t know what to make of it. Why would anyone take pleasure in hurting people? I think these kids are bored, and they are looking for kicks.”