B"H
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Meet Our Team
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Chiam Naiditch
Director of Community Safety and Security
Chiam Naiditch is the founding member of MAGEN Chicago. He has a strong passion for training and holds 7 FAA Flight Instructor Certificates. In his former career as a Commercial Airline Pilot, Chiam's experience as a Chief Flight Instructor, Chief Pilot, and Member of the FAA Safety Team (FAAST) helped shape his commitment to safety, training, and education. He also serves as Chief Pilot for MAGEN Chicago's new Sky Watch drone program. Chiam is an Illinois State Police Concealed Carry Firearms Instructor and has the State Original Firearms Training License and the Unarmed Security Guard Certification. He is also a NRA Certified Pistol and Rifle Instructor, Range Safety Officer and Chief Range Safety Officer, a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) member, and a graduate of the Chicago and Skokies Citizens Police Academy. Chiam also serves as MAGEN's Chicago Chief Pilot and plays an instrumental role in its Skywatch drone program. Chiam has adopted the aviation motto of continuous learning and has incorporated it into MAGEN Chicago's training philosophy.
Yossi Miller
Treasurer
Yossi is a respected Jewish community leader and business owner from Chicago, Illinois. Born in Israel, he moved to the United States as a child and was raised in Chicago's West Rogers Park neighborhood.
Yossi has dedicated many years to serving the Chicago Jewish community and has held leadership roles in several organizations. He currently serves as President of the Hebrew Persian Congregation in Skokie, where he also oversees the synagogue's security program as Head of Security.
In addition to his extensive community involvement, Yossi owns and operates a successful family business in downtown Chicago. His commitment to leadership, service, and community safety continues to make a meaningful impact throughout the Chicago Jewish community.
Dov Dukes
IT Director & Assistant Chief Pilot
Dov has been immersed in the world of technology and innovation since he began modifying computer games at the age of 10. Today, he develops mobile applications for Chabad.org, the world's largest and first Jewish website, where he continues to apply his passion for technology to projects that serve the global Jewish community. As Assistant Chief Pilot for MAGEN Chicago Shomrim's SkyWatch Drone Program, Dov's technical expertise is instrumental in the program's continued growth and success. He plays a key role in testing emerging technologies, evaluating system performance, and recommending enhancements to drone operating software, workflows, and operational capabilities. His work helps ensure the SkyWatch program remains reliable, efficient, and at the forefront of public safety innovation. Dov lives with his family in Chicago and is always willing to share his knowledge, lend a hand, and use his technical expertise in service to the community. This version matches the tone and style of the other MAGEN leadership bios while emphasizing his important technical contributions to the SkyWatch program.
Tuvia Vinitsky
Chief Dispatcher
Tuvia Vinitsky is a local rabbi, business owner, and Chief Dispatcher for MAGEN Chicago Shomrim. He initially joined the organization as a volunteer assisting with neighborhood patrols. As Chief Dispatcher, Tuvia oversees incoming calls, coordinates resources, communicates with law enforcement, and manages MAGEN Chicago Shomrim’s response to incidents. Recognizing the critical role dispatchers play as the first point of contact during an emergency, he developed a comprehensive dispatcher training program. The program uses role-playing scenarios based on previous incidents, experiences from Shomrim organizations in other communities, and feedback from law enforcement. Tuvia is committed to ensuring that both MAGEN volunteers and community members are properly trained and prepared for emergencies. He is a certified NRA Pistol Instructor, Illinois Concealed Carry Instructor, Stop the Bleed Instructor, and CPR Instructor. Professionally, Tuvia is internationally recognized as a leading expert in a specialized area of database programming. He regularly speaks at conferences and consults with companies around the world. In his rabbinical role, Tuvia delivers women’s shiurim on a variety of topics. One of his classes recently completed an in-depth study of all of Nevi’im. His shiurim are available on YouTube and at ChicagoTehillim.com.
Dr. Martin “Yossi” Borenstein
Medical Training Director
Dr. Borenstein holds a BS in Computer Science and Biology. He graduated from Chicago Medical School in Illinois and practices pediatric medicine at Kids First Pediatrics in Skokie. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, is a Certified NRA Range Safety Officer, and is a Certified "Stop the Bleed Instructor."
"I believe Magen Chicago is performing essential work to ensure the safety of the Jewish community and its institutions. Being selected as the director of medical training is indeed an honor. With the "Stop the Bleed" program, Basic Life Support, BLS, and defibrillators, I intend for as many members of the Jewish community as possible to be trained and competent in the techniques for dealing with major trauma. I intend to develop a more intensive program for SSOs and SGOs, which will incorporate the use of cutting-edge computerized manikins in dealing with trauma."
Officer Brian L. Bardsley, Jr, EMT-P
Chief Medical Instructor
Officer Bardsley is the Medical & WMD (Weapons Of Mass Distruction) Team Leader CPD SWAT. Officer Bardsley has a multifaceted background, including experience in emergency medical services, law enforcement, and the military. He began his career in the United States Marine Corps from 1988 to 1994, during which he deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Restore Hope. He served as a Medical Specialist in the United States Army Reserves from 1996 to 1999 and has been a Paramedic since January 1999. Brian has worked as a single role Paramedic, Firefighter/Paramedic, HazMat Technician, Arson Investigator, and Lieutenant with several municipal fire departments, including the Stone Park Fire Department, and served for a year as a single-role paramedic with the Chicago Fire Department. In 2006-2007.He completed a year-long tour in Iraq with the Illinois Army National Guard. He served as a medic with a rifle company in Baghdad and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and Combat Medical Badge. Officer Bardsley has been with the Chicago Police Department since September 2004, where he started as a patrolman in District 015. upon his return from Iraq, he was moved to the Education and Training Division, where he worked as an Anti-Terrorism instructor as well as a marksmanship and tactics instructor. Officer Bardsley is currently attached to the SWAT Team as the Team Leader of the Medical and Weapons of Mass Destruction Team. In addition to his experience with the Chicago Police Department, he was an affiliate faculty member at the Loyola University Medical Center Program for Prehospital Medicine, where he taught in the classroom and served as a field internship preceptor. He has given numerous invited presentations on Tactical Medicine, Emergency Medical Services, Hazardous Materials, Tactical HazMat, and disaster preparedness.
Yisrael Persky
Medical Trainer
Yisrael Persky was born and raised in the community we proudly serve. A retired police officer, he dedicated his career to public safety while serving in several specialized assignments, including School Resource Officer, Emergency Response Team (ERT) member, Traffic Enforcement Specialist, and DUI Unit Coordinator for four years. Yisrael is a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) and is certified in all three levels of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) as both an operator and instructor. He is also an American Heart Association instructor in CPR, AED, and First Aid, and serves as a member of the Illinois Medical Emergency Response Team (IMERT), with an emphasis on incident command, communications, and logistics. His medical experience includes serving as a large-event medic, with extensive experience in triage and pre-hospital trauma care. Beyond law enforcement and emergency medicine, Yisrael has background in hazardous materials transportation and chemical delivery operations. An avid motorcyclist, he has logged more than 500,000 miles as a Route 66 Motorcycle Tour Guide. He has also completed over 120 hours of advanced firearms training at the Tactical Performance Center under the instruction of renowned trainers Ron Avery and Rossen Hristov. Yisrael is passionate about preparing both MAGEN Chicago Shomrim members and the community through practical, reality-based training that builds confidence, competence, and readiness. He is committed to serving others and helping individuals reach their full potential.
Pete Milionis
Chief Instructor
Petros is a U.S. Army veteran and recently retired Chicago Police Officer with more than 15-years of experience, including serving as the primary firearms/carbine instructor for the S.W.A.T. team for the past 10-years. Milionis is also a full-time operational member of the team, serving as an element leader in the execution of Hostage Rescue/Barricaded Subjects and High-Risk Search Warrants. including the Narcotics High-Risk Entry Team, Fugitive Apprehension Unit, School Unit, Airport Detail, and the Marine Unit. Petros has presented at numerous tactical conferences and has trained S.W.A.T. Teams across the U.S. He has worked as a firearms instructor for one of the largest U.S. private military contractor organizations training civilians through special operation personnel. He has also served as a subject matter expert and lead instructor for the U.S. State Department Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program in the training of high threat protection details responsible for the protection of national leaders overseas. Petros has been competitive in U.S.P.C.A. earning the classification of Grandmaster. He has been the recipient of numerous championship titles, including 4-time Steel Challenge IDPA World Champion, 2-time Steel Challenge IDPA National Champion, as well as High Law Enforcement USPSA National Champion.
Commander (Ret.) Rick Robertson
Chief Instructor
Rick served nearly 29 years with the Aurora (IL) Police Department (1993–2022), retiring as Commander after overseeing the Bureau of Neighborhood Policing, Uniform Patrol, Community Policing, Traffic, K9, and the Special Response Team (SWAT). Throughout his career, he served as a Patrol Officer, Community Policing Officer, Gang Investigator, Gang Crimes Detective, Training Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Commander. A member of the Aurora Special Response Team since 1995, Rick served as an operator, sniper, team leader, master/explosive breacher, and team commander. He also re-established the Aurora Police Department's K9 Unit in 2014, developing policies, overseeing procurement, and coordinating the department's K9 teams. Rick is the owner of Rick Robertson Training & Consulting, where he provides customized law enforcement, tactical, and security training for public and private organizations throughout the country. He currently serves as an instructor forCalibre Press Training Network, Combined Systems, Inc., the College of DuPage Suburban Law Enforcement Academy/Homeland Security Training Institute, and New Mexico Tech's Tactical Response to Suicide Bombing Incidents program. He has also instructed for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Blackwater/US Training Center, and the Northeast Multi-Regional Training Center. Rick has trained law enforcement officers and security professionals throughout the United States, developing and delivering customized training in active threat response, tactical operations, terrorism response and critical incident preparedness, firearms, less-lethal systems, patrol tactics, use of force, low-light operations, K9 integration, and security assessments. His practical, reality-based instruction is built on nearly three decades of operational and command experience.
Daniel J. Lombard
Guest Instructor
Daniel served as a Police Officer in South Africa and was actively involved with firearms training both for civilians and law enforcement. As a competitor in national International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) shooting competitions, he achieved the distinguished honor of provincial colors for Natal. Daniel continued his law enforcement career when he emigrated to the United States and joined the Chicago Police Department where he is and has been serving for over 12 years; nine of which were spent on the Gang Unit where he was responsible for the planning and execution for over 100 high-risk search warrants. Daniel is a graduate firearms instructor from the United States Secret Service Academy and has been an assistant instructor with Spartan Tactical Training Group as well as the Hollow Training Center. He has presented training programs with the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI) as well as the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA) and the Alabama Tactical Officers Association (ATOA). Additionally, Daniel is a consultant for DS Arms where he is active in product development and is responsible for product presentations and demonstrations at foreign military shows.
Chiam Naiditch
Instructor
Chiam is an Illinois State Police Concealed Carry Firearms Instructor, has the State Original Firearms Training License and the Unarmed Security Guard Certification. He is also an NRA Certified Pistol and Rifle Instructor as well as Chief Range Safety Officer and an RSO, a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) member, and a graduate of the Skokie Citizens Police Academy. Stop The Bleed and CPR/AED Certified.
Michael W.
Instructor
Michael has a passion for safety, teaching, and his community. He is a member and RSO at the ISRA range in Kankakee. He has trained under numerous national instructors including Massad Ayoob, Rob Pincus, Chuck Haggard, and Scott “Jedi” Jedlinski, as well as many other regional and local instructors. He is a certified NRA pistol instructor and RSO. He has TCCC (TECC), first aid, and CPR certifications and is a certified Glock Armorer. He is a committed 2A supporter and has life memberships in NRA, ISRA, SAF, and CCRBA.
Sergio Macias
Men's Krav Maga Instructor
A true extrovert and a forever optimist, Sergio first began his training in martial arts when he came to Chicago from his native Mexico City in 1994. It was in hapkido school where he developed his love of martial arts, and it was in high school where his love of training and encouraging people began as he prepped and coached fellow students for school talent shows. Since then, Sergio has continuously perfected his ability to transfer knowledge to anybody. Sergio began his career at Ultimate Martial Arts as a Krav Maga student in 2012. Having excelled as a student, Sergio was selected to become a coach and trainer in 2013 and has undergone numerous (and rigorous!) training programs. He is a certified Krav Maga Fit to Fight instructor, IDS instructor, and TRX and Heavy Bag Blast instructor. Sergio is also certified in CPR/AED.
Leslie Lefranc
Women's Krav Maga Instructor
Leslie was certified full IKMA Gidon system Krav Maga instructor in 2012 under US Chief Instructor & 3rd Degree Black Belt, Israeli Krav Maga David Khan. She trained with Israeli Master such as Master Yigal Arbiv for long hours and took many Seminars worldwide to hone her skills. She certified for the women-empowered pink belt at the Gracie Academy in Torrance, California, with Rener and Ryron Gracie. She teaches important advice, strategies, and techniques that can save lives. Over the years, she had boiled down a curriculum to a complete array of useful tools. Because the Krav Maga system is well-integrated, common defensive principles apply to various attack scenarios. Thus, the system can be learned in a relatively short period of instruction. Leslie's motivation is her dedication to empowering all women of all communities and backgrounds.
Eli Greenberg Z"L
RSO
Eli Z"L has been a member of MAGEN Chicago since its founding. He was the driving force behind the organization and was always willing to assist with any event or member in need. Eli Z"L exemplified the true ideal of a "Mentch." We will truly miss Eli Z"L irreplaceable smile and charisma.