Netanya Family Builds Karate Legacy Amid War and Economic Challenges
The Rokach family from Netanya shares an intimate look at their lives before and during the ongoing conflict in Israel. The family lives in a five-room apartment in the upscale Ramat Poleg neighborhood, which they purchased 20 years ago for a fraction of its current estimated value of around 4 million shekels. Moshe Rokach, 61, originally from Ramat Gan, spent ten years in Los Angeles training intensively in karate under a Japanese master, before returning to Israel to teach in Ramat Aviv and later opening a karate school in Netanya's industrial area.
Moshe met his wife Liat, 49, at his karate school when she was 18 and a student. Liat has practiced karate since age nine, initially as a self-defense measure due to safety concerns in north Tel Aviv. Today, the family runs the "Poleg Rokach Karate Center," a network of schools with branches managed by their children, including Gilad, 23, who oversees two locations. They also conduct karate classes for seniors in assisted living facilities, a program started after seeing a TV segment and now running for seven years with participants aged 85 and older.
The family’s daily routine revolves around karate, with Moshe starting at 7 a.m. and Liat coaching seniors in the morning. They gather for lunch and then train separately in the afternoon before regrouping for adult classes in the evening. Their children, including Mya (20), Naomi (14), and Ami (12), have been immersed in karate since infancy, with Mya starting at age three. The family actively competes internationally, recently returning from the European Championship in Romania where their children won top prizes.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, military operations, and economic pressures, the Rokachs maintain their business by continuously adapting. Liat notes the difficulty of running any business in Israel today but credits their expansion to their children joining as instructors. Leisure for the family often involves traveling abroad for competitions and extending their stays to enjoy the experience. Moshe humorously mentions driving a car with a large "Karate" sign on the back, suggesting it might deter trouble on the streets.
Summary: The Rokach family from Netanya has built a multi-generational karate school network, integrating their passion into daily life and community service, while navigating economic and security challenges in Israel. Their children actively compete internationally, and they have innovated by offering karate classes to seniors, demonstrating resilience amid ongoing conflict and business difficulties.
