About a hundred rabbis gathered from around Europe to learn basic self-defense and receive training in first aid, during a conference organized by the Rabbinical Centre of Europe and the European Jewish Association.
"Unfortunately, most of the Jewish institutions in Europe are not provided with appropriate security by the various governments. This is why we have decided to provide Rabbis and Jewish community leaders across the continent with basic knowledge and tools in order for them to be able to provide initial first aid and self-defense during a terror attack," said Rabbi Menachem Margolin, a general director of the European Jewish Association, as quoted by Ynetnews.
The rabbis were presented with possible scenarios of anti-Semitic terror on Jewish institutions. In the beginning of the training session rabbis were provided with knives and received instructions and practice in treating and surviving a stabbing. Although some participants burst out laughing from time to time, overall they took it seriously.
According to Rabbi Menachem Margolin, director of the European Jewish Association, the main idea was to show "the most basic stuff needed."
He said that all Jewish institutions must be guarded by police the whole day long. According to Margolin, the European governments haven't taken any measures in response to their calls. This was behind the decision to organize the training, first in Prague, and then in other European countries.
