Roll out the red carpet and give me a trophy, because I actually kept one of my New Year’s Resolutions last year.

As 2020 began, I told my husband, “I’m going to reclaim reading this year.” As a child, my nose was always in a book. (Humble brag: I was the number one Accelerated Reader in my elementary school for a couple of years in a row.) But through the years, reading became less of a priority, usually saved for the beach or a plane ride.

So, I set a modest goal to read 15 books in 2020. I figured that was reasonable after only reading maybe one or two books each year in the recent past. Well, not only did I reach that goal (in September as a matter of fact) but I also managed to read five more titles before the ball dropped.

I can now officially say that reading has reclaimed one of my top hobby spots. Getting lost in a book at night after my kids have gone to bed gives me something that’s just for me—it’s a way to refill my cup when I’m often running on empty.

I think there is a stigma that New Year’s Resolutions, or goals in general, have to be something that’s either super hard or something we don’t really enjoy. But with all that’s going on in the world, who has time for that?

As I saw on a fitness-related Instagram post the other day:
If you don’t like running, don’t try to run as a way to shed pounds. If you love breakfast, don’t choose the intermittent fasting diet.

Remember to be true to yourself when goal-setting or resolution-making as we enter what’s expected to be another roller coaster year. And also, remember to take care of yourself first, before trying to help others. There is a reason why flight attendants tell you to put on your oxygen mask first. An empty cup has nothing to pour out.

What will you change this year to improve your life? I would love to hear from you.

Also, book recommendations are welcome—I’m shooting for 30 in 2021.

All my best,

Shelley Basinger, Managing Editor
Shelley@lynchburgmag.com

Blind Billy Update
We have received so many positive comments about our feature, “Blind Billy’s Beacon,” found in the November/December issue of Lynchburg Living. Reader Linda Marion wrote us to say, “This story truly warmed my heart.”

The article focused on a painting by local artist Kevin Chadwick of Blind Billy, a beloved fifer and slave in Lynchburg who died a free man after members of the community purchased his freedom. The painting was part of a live auction at the Art for Achievement virtual event to benefit Lynchburg Beacon of Hope. Organizers tell us the painting sold for $14,500 to a “syndicate” of individuals who plan to hang it at E.C. Glass High School. Overall, the nonprofit made an astounding $86,000 at the event to fund scholarships and other resources for high school students.

“The event was just amazing! Truly. Thank you so much for everything you did to help us, Shelley,” Beacon of Hope Executive Director Laura Hamilton wrote to editor Shelley Basinger.

You’re Welcome
After seeing our article about The ETC Shop, a nonprofit consignment store benefiting the Lynchburg Junior Woman’s Club, Susan Kidd sent us this kind thank you:
“We are so excited to have this recognition and share space in the magazine with so many other wonderful groups! Thank you so much! Reaching this milestone has been such a blessing and this is the icing on the cake!”

We Want To hear From You!
Send us an e-mail to shelley@lynchburgmag.com. Correspondents must identify themselves; names may be withheld on request. Lynchburg Living may edit or condense.

Kapap Krav Maga Expert at FEKS Martial Arts

Lynchburg Living: David, we hear you had a surprise visitor recently! Tell us about your award.

David Rubinberg: Israeli Defense Forces Major Avi Nardia flew in to present the highest award one can earn in the Israeli Martial Arts—the blue and white belt. It is a lifetime achievement award that represents being a leading expert and senior counsel to all Israeli Martial Arts students worldwide. It came along with the rank of 8th degree black belt. I will also serve as the Head State of VA representative for FIMA (Federation of Israeli Martial Arts)—a gathering of the only top Israeli Martial Artists in the world. You must be invited into this group.

LL: How rare is this?

DR: Blue and white belts are extremely rare and are not presented to people that have not had at least 50 years of Israeli Martial Arts experience behind them. I am currently the only 8th degree black belt in the world in Kapap Krav Maga, which is studied in over 60 countries and has well over half a million students.

LL: Wow! That’s quite an accomplishment and certainly puts Lynchburg on the map. For those that aren’t familiar, what is Kapap Krav Maga?

DR: The Kapap or “face-to-face combat” system was developed in the late 1930s within the Jewish Aliyah camps as part of preparatory training before their arrival in Mandatory Palestine. The main focus was to upgrade physical endurance, elevate and strengthen the spirit, and develop a defensive and offensive skill set. The term Krav Maga or “close combat” started when the state of Israel was given back to the Jewish people in 1948. This was and still is the fighting form of the Israeli Defense Forces.

LL: How long have you been a martial arts instructor?

DR: I was 10 years old when I started my martial arts training in 1958 at Stewart Air Force Base. I continued my studies in Judo and Karate at community college. Then, upon coming to Lynchburg in 1967, I attended Slaughter’s School of Karate.

I began teaching my first class at Lynchburg College in 1967.

So, I have been an instructor for 52 years. My Krav Maga training began in 1957, as part of a family focus.

LL: How has your family played a role in your passion for martial arts?

DR: My grandfather came to this country alone in the early 1900s. He worked and saved enough money to bring my grandmother and father to New York. He then continued to work and save enough to bring members of the family over one at a time. My father is an only child. With the decimation of the remaining family in Europe from the Holocaust, what family we had left in New York, and what family escaped to Israel, our family here was very close. The talk was always centered around the possibility of all of us moving to Israel. Krav Maga training was an important part of that dream. Please understand, members of my family were in the concentration camps of Germany and would cover the stamped numbers on their arms with clothing. The training, the thought of “never again” was and still is very real for us.

After moving to Lynchburg in 2008, I was desperately trying to “find my place in this world”—as Michael W. Smith poignantly described in his 1990 song. Just a green 24-year-old adjusting to a new job and trying to (awkwardly) make new friends.

I started looking for ways to get more connected and learned about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Virginia through a co-worker. With a camp counselor background, it was a no-brainer. After signing up, I was matched with an 11-year-old girl named Nicole who had just recently been adopted by her foster family.

Life had been tough for Nicole the past few years—lots of people had come and gone.

We spent Saturdays going to movies, hanging out at my apartment or working on projects for her school. She talked to me about her family some days; other days we just focused on fun. I arranged for her to get baptized—something she had always wanted to do since becoming a Christian in a previous foster home. Down the road, she was there to celebrate with me on my wedding day.

With an entry-level salary that barely paid my rent, I didn’t have much money to hand over to Big Brothers Big Sisters. But what I did have was a few hours each week to give to Nicole—and so many nonprofits are desperate for just that… your time.

In fact, about half of the top 25 nonprofits featured in this year’s Giving Back Awards listed “volunteers” as their greatest need right now. For example, Gleaning for the World, our #1 nonprofit, has only 11 paid employees that run its international disaster relief efforts—an astounding 1,200 volunteers help keep the place running.

There are numerous other inspiring stories of volunteerism in this issue—from dozens of artists who donated their talents to a Beacon of Hope auction fundraiser to our Person of Interest, David Stokes, who logs 950 volunteer hours a year helping local veterans.

You’ll find two kinds of holiday spirit in this issue—the festive baked goods, beautiful Christmas décor and local gift ideas will have you ready to slip on those Santa jammies ASAP. But my hope is you’ll also embrace the spirit of giving. Not just throwing a few coins in the Salvation Army bucket, but being so bold as to ask a local nonprofit: what can I do to serve you?

It may be as simple as lending an ear to an 11-year-old girl.

Cheers,

Shelley Basinger, Managing Editor
Shelley@lynchburgmag.com

Enjoy every moment!