Neil Simon, M.A., Head Instructor,
Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt)

Neil Simon has been involved in Judo since 1978 and has dedicated his life to the sport. Prior to founding Shojin Judo in 2004, he was the head instructor of the Ann Arbor YMCA Judo Club.

Neil has contributed to the development of Judo at the local, regional, and national levels. From 2006 to 2012, he served as the President of the United States Judo Federation. In that capacity, he collaborated with the other two major judo organizations in the United States, USA Judo and the United States Judo Association, to foster the growth of Judo in schools and communities across the nation. Neil is the former President of Judo Affiliates of Michigan and is current treasurer/secretary.  He remains active in other Judo organizations.

Neil is an accomplished 6th degree black belt. He is also a national coach, teacher, kata judge, and international referee. As an instructor, he emphasizes the development of fundamental techniques and principles of Judo. He has developed a specialty in teaching individuals with physical, emotional, and mental challenges. His objective for his students is that they implement the basic maxims of judo and gain the tools that they need in their journey through life.

Ahmad Nabil Taher Elalem, Head Technical Instructor,
Shichidan (7th Degree Black Belt)

Shojin Judo - Southfield, MIAhmad Nabil Taher Elalem has dedicated his life to the sport and development of Judo. He started practicing Judo in 1976 in Tripoli, Libya. Mr. Elalem was the former President of the Libyan Judo Federation as well as the national coach for the Libyan team in the Pan Arab Games in 1999. He is a multi-time Libyan Judo champion.  

In the 2004 and 2008 Olympic games, Mr. Elalem served as a national coach and team official for the Libyan Judo team. He is currently an A-Level referee with the International Judo Federation (IJF-A). Mr. Elalem headed the Sport Directors of African Judo Union from 2008-2014 and was a member of the International Judo Federation Sport Commission from 2008-2012.

Mr. Elalem has extensively studied Judo coaching techniques. He has a Master of Science in teaching and coaching Judo. Mr. Elalem holds a Kodokan International Coaching Certificate, an International Coaching Enrichment Certificate by the International Olympic Committee, and was awarded a Gold Medal Award from the International Judo Federation. Mr. Elalem is also trained in self defense techniques. He is fluent in English, Arabic, and the Bahasa Malaysia language.

Dave Wertheimer, Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt)

Dave Wertheimer has been involved in the judo community since 1971 at the Farmington YMCA under Ray Thibodeau. He then co-founded the Farming Judo Club with Ray Thibodeau. When he went off to College at Ferris State University, he taught Judo at the university while also being able to travel home to participate with his home judo club. Expanding his judo education he also studied under John Osako, Jim Jarvis and Mitch Sasa. When Ray Thibiodeau retried he took over as head instructor of the Farmington Judo Club. In helping the local judo community he also was the President of Judo Affiliates of Michigan. To this day he also teaches judo in several locations in the Detroit Metropolitan Area.

Nidal “Neal” Makki, Assistant Instructor, Godan (5th Degree Black Belt)

Dave Bentley, Assistant Instructor, Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt)

Dave Bentley

Dave Bentley has been with the judo community for most of his youth and adult life. He started Judo at the Northwestern Family YMCA in Detroit under the direction of James Walmsley. He was later a member of the Michigan State Judo Club’s competition team from 1977-1981 where he received his Shodan from Mr. J. Kim. He has a competitive and medal winning history and is one of the club coaches for intermediate and advanced students.

Mazen Chaker, Assistant Instructor, Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt)

Mazen Chaker was born in Damascus, Syria and started training Judo in 1972. He won the Syrian Judo Championship in 1974. In 1975 he was invited by the Syrian Judo/Karate Federation to participate in a training camp with Mr. Kimora, a Japanese coach from the Kodokan. In 1979 he received his black belt in Judo and in 1983 he received his second degree black belt. In 2023 he was awarded his third degree black belt from USJF. He coached Judo at King Abdul-Aziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between 1980 and 1984.

Chris Reid, Co-head Instructor for Youth Program and Dojo Manager, Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt)

Chris Reid has been practicing judo for most of his youth and adult life starting at the age of 9 years old. He started at Diablo Valley Judo Club in Pittsburg, CA under the direction of Mike Schubert. After moving and heading to college he joined the California State University, Los Angeles Judo Club under Sanders (Butch) Ishisaka. Later when he relocated to Michigan he joined Shojin Judo and received his Shodan from Neil Simon. He now co-head instructor of the Shojin Judo Youth program. Chris is also the current President of Konan Judo.

Haley Beebe, Co-head Instructor for Youth Program, Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt)

Haley started practicing judo with Shojin after relocating to Michigan and received her Shodan October 2023. She is now co-head instructor of the Shojin Judo Youth program.  Haley started her martial arts journey with Hapkido in college, and received her Hapkido black belt shortly after her graduation. She started judo to improve on her throw techniques, and enjoyed it so much she stuck with it!