A seminar to benefit the Rhona Smiles Fund was held at the martial arts school Aikido North Jersey in Teaneck, NJ on June 6, 2009. This well-attended event was the first benefit held for the Fund and it was a smashing success.

The seminar was taught by three of the leading aikido instructors in the country: Harvey Konigsberg, Seventh Degree Black Belt, Chief Instructor of Woodstock Aikido; Laura Pavlick, Fifth Degree Black Belt, Chief Instructor of Litchfield Hills Aikikai; and Eran Vardi, Fifth Degree Black Belt, Chief Instructor of Aikido of Ramapo Valley. All instructors donated their fees to the event and we greatly appreciate their efforts and generosity!

Almost ninety students attended the classes over the day of training and friends, family and observers enjoyed the training from the sidelines. Everyone was energized by the warm feelings of comraderie and the satisfaction of joining together to help people who are in very dire need. It was a truly specail day!