After completing the two-day seminar, we met very early with David and some of his senior students. From there, we headed north to the Golan Heights for a very special visit to areas rarely accessible to outsiders. These invitations were made possible through David’s Jiu-Jitsu students, active members of the IDF, who had attended our seminars and extended the opportunity to us.

We were invited to observe some exclusive locations and were able to witness firsthand the landscape from the top of the Golan Heights. One of the most striking moments was standing at the tri-border area, a unique vantage point from which you can clearly see Israel, Syria, and Jordan, all from a single location. From this spot, we were also able to better understand how recent operations have affected the dynamics along the border.

After lunch, we bid farewell to David and his group and began the drive south. We came down through the Jordan Valley highway, where we were able to observe the desert landscape, the Jordan River area, and nearby villages, gaining a deeper understanding of the region’s geography and history.

We eventually crossed the checkpoint and reentered Jerusalem, arriving once again at the King David Hotel. On the way, we made an important stop at the Western Wall. There, we took a moment to recharge, express our gratitude, and appreciate the deep cultural and historical significance of this trip.

The next morning, we shared breakfast with Ted and Drew. We said goodbye to our dear student Drew Knohl, who returned to Miami after taking part in this meaningful journey.

We are grateful to all the students who participated in the seminars, to Mr. Ted Schwartz, and to the Stand Strong Foundation for their support. We hope to see everyone again very soon.

After a great no-gi seminar last night, we woke up and received an unexpected and very moving invitation. We headed back to Tel Aviv for an important and emotional meeting with families directly affected by the October 7th attacks.

In Tel Aviv, we met with Yarden Bibas, whose wife Shiri and their two young sons, Ariel (4) and Kfir (9 months), were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the attacks. Tragically, Shiri and the children were killed while in captivity, and their remains were returned to Israel in February 2025. Yarden, who was held separately, was released on February 1, 2025, after 15 months in captivity. Hearing his firsthand account was incredibly moving.

We also spoke with Ilana Gritzewsky, who was kidnapped from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, and endured 55 days in captivity before being released. Her boyfriend, Matan Zangauker, a 25-year-old soldier, is still being held. Ilana shared her story and talked about her ongoing efforts to advocate for Matan’s release.

Additionally, we met Ella Mor, the aunt of Abigail Mor Edan, a four-year-old American-Israeli girl who was taken hostage during the attacks. Abigail’s parents were tragically killed during the incident, and Abigail herself was held captive for 51 days before being released. Ella has been playing a big role in helping Abigail recover and in advocating for the release of other hostages.

Hearing these stories firsthand was deeply emotional. What really stood out was their strength and determination, not just to keep pushing for their loved ones’ return but to make sure that all remaining hostages are brought back safely. Their message was clear: the priority right now is to bring everyone home.

After this impactful meeting, we hit the road again, dealing with rush-hour traffic as we made our way back north to Akko for the second day of our seminar series. This time it was a kimono seminar, and once again, we had over 100 students from different Binyamin academies across Israel. Professors Pedro and Gui taught for about three and a half hours, covering both standing and grappling techniques. They wrapped up the session with a great discussion on the philosophy and history of jujutsu.

We really want to thank David Binyamin and his family for being such incredible hosts. A big thank you to the senior black belts who received their ranks at Valente Brothers: Roy Peretz from Tiberias, Yoni and Edi Dubrotsky, from Haifa. We also really appreciate all the black belts and instructors who brought their students to participate.

Special thanks to our students who made the trip to join us: Ted Schwartz, Drew Knohl, and Shana Lazar. The technical level and the energy in the room were amazing, showing just how dedicated and skilled the Binyamin academies are. We can’t wait to come back.

Stay tuned for more updates as our journey continues.

Mount Carmel is a really special place, full of great energy and deep history. It started as a sanatorium for Holocaust survivors, and even before that, these mountains have a prehistoric past. It’s a unique spot that just feels meaningful. We woke up, had a nice breakfast, and took in the beautiful views before heading to the town of Karmiel.

We visited David Binyamin at his home, where he welcomed us with open arms. His family, his wife, kids, and his student Yuval made us feel right at home. Yuval, along with David, leads the Leverage Point Foundation, an organization in Israel that helps soldiers by providing support and training to deal with the challenges they face.

Before lunch, David shared some deep insights on Judaism and led a prayer session with Ted Schwartz, Matt Travers, and Drew Knohl. It was a really thoughtful moment and gave us a chance to reflect.

After that, we enjoyed a great lunch together. The Binyamin family’s hospitality was amazing, they even offered us rooms to rest and recharge before the seminar.

Once we were ready, we headed to the historic town of Akko in northern Israel. The seminar was incredible, with well over a hundred students from David’s schools all across the country.

Professors Pedro and Gui taught a no-gi seminar focused on the five elements of jiu-jitsu, finishing up with a talk about philosophy and history. The energy in the room was great, and the students were super engaged.

After the seminar, we headed back to Mount Carmel, ready to get some rest and gear up for another big day tomorrow.

After arriving in Jerusalem and having a great evening, we woke up to a beautiful morning in the historic King David Hotel. The hotel is right next to the Old City of Jerusalem, offering amazing views of the ancient city’s outer walls and the iconic Tower of David. Waking up to that scenery really set the tone for the day.

After breakfast, we made our way to Tel Aviv for lunch. The drive was filled with great conversations as we traveled through the highways, taking in the different neighborhoods and landscapes. Seeing the country firsthand gave us a better feel for its culture and vibe.

Once we got to Tel Aviv, we had a great meal and then took the opportunity to visit Dizengoff Square, a central plaza featuring the iconic “Fire and Water Fountain” by artist Yaacov Agam. The square has become an important site for community gatherings and memorials. Following the October 7th attack, the fountain area transformed into a place of remembrance, with candles, photos, and messages honoring the victims. It was a powerful and emotional moment, reminding us of the recent tragedy and the resilience of the community.

After that, we made a quick stop at the beach. Professor Pedro really wanted to jump in the ocean, and of course, we joined him. It was refreshing and a perfect way to take a break before hitting the road again.

From there, we continued north to Mount Carmel, where we checked into the Carmel Forest Hotel. It’s a beautiful resort, right in the middle of a dense forest on top of the mountain, with stunning views all around. We’re really looking forward to exploring the area tomorrow and then heading out to meet David Binyamin to get ready for the evening seminar.

More updates to come as the trip continues.

On April 3rd, the Valente Brothers joined forces with the Stand Strong Foundation to embark on an exciting journey to Israel. The group, consisting of Pedro Valente, Gui Valente, Ted Schwartz, the founder of the Stand Strong, and Matthew Travers, gathered in Fort Lauderdale before beginning their trip. Their journey included a stop in Barcelona, Spain, before arriving in Tel Aviv in the afternoon of April 4th.

Upon arrival, the group traveled to Jerusalem, where they checked in at the historic King David Hotel. The evening was marked by a meaningful Shabbat dinner, where they reflected on the importance of their mission and prepared for the days ahead.

The group was joined by VB student Drew Knohl for Shabbat dinner at the King David Hotel. Located on King David Street in the center of Jerusalem, the hotel overlooks the Old City and Mount Zion, and is named after the Biblical King David.

The group will soon head north to join Black Belt David Binyamin, the head of the Binyamin Jiu-Jitsu Academies in Israel, for a two-day seminar. This event promises to be a great experience, bringing together practitioners from across the region to learn and train together.

We would like to extend our gratitude to David Binyamin and all his students for the opportunity to visit Israel, as well as to our student Ted Schwartz for his collaboration and support in making this mission possible.

Stay tuned for more updates as the journey unfolds.

After having breakfast at the hotel, Pedro Valente and Ted Schwartz checked out and headed to the Shinkansen train station. They boarded the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto. After roughly a two-hour journey, they arrived in Kyoto and went directly to the Butokuden site, historically known as Butokukai. This site holds great significance in the history of jujutsu, as it was where many jujutsu masters gathered for challenge matches and important organizational meetings. It was also the venue for several Kosen Judo competitions, where practitioners like Masahiko Kimura developed their skills. Kimura later became a Kosen Judo champion on that very site.

Following their visit to Butokuden, Pedro Valente and Ted Schwartz explored several antique shops specializing in samurai katanas and armor, before walking around the city. They then checked into the Park Hyatt, a beautiful hotel, and took some time to prepare for dinner.

In the evening, they enjoyed a private dinner with the renowned Soba Samurai, a famous soba chef. The experience was exceptional, with various soba dishes served throughout the meal. Afterward, Pedro Valente and Ted Schwartz had the opportunity to spend time with the chef, further enriching the dining experience.

Before heading back to their hotel, they passed by a famous site from the movie The Last Samurai, where Tom Cruise’s character walks up a staircase. The Last Samurai is one of the top movies of the Valente Brothers.

As the evening concluded, Pedro Valente and Ted Schwartz returned to the hotel to prepare for a full day of exploration in Kyoto the following day.