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Zen Goju TempleUrban Goju Hall #004 (718) 645-2402Free first class

Who teaches here

Our Karate Instructors in Brooklyn

The dojo is led today by Sensei Vladimir Ferdman, 10th Dan.

Sensei Vladimir Ferdman

Sensei Ferdman holds the rank of 10th Dan and trained under Shihan Vincent Merenda, who led this dojo for decades and who was himself a student of Grandmaster Peter G. Urban. He teaches the system as it was taught to him, with contribution from the elders Sensei Vito Agate (10th Dan) and Sensei Joseph Foy (10th Dan). He continues the legacy of Shihan Vincent Merenda and Grandmaster Peter G. Urban.

The lineage behind him

Shihan Vincent Merenda, 10th Degree Black Belt, taught here for many years and has since passed away. His photograph hangs in the dojo alongside the other instructors who have gone, among them Sensei Antonio Gonzalez. What is taught on this mat came down through them.

More on our lineage →

Train with us

Prefer to talk? Call (718) 645-2402. Otherwise send this and we will get back to you.

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Classes by age group: karate for children aged 6 to 12, karate for teenagers and karate for adult beginners.

The senior grades

In the picture below are some of the men who became the pillars of this dojo: Shihan Vincent Merenda, Sensei Antonio Gonzalez, Sensei Vito Agate and Sensei Vladimir Ferdman.

Shihan Vincent Merenda passed away in 2025 and Sensei Antonio Gonzalez in 2023.

Nine senior instructors and students of Zen Goju Temple standing together on the dojo mat, Shihan Vincent Merenda front left of center.
Left to right: Sensei Vladimir Ferdman (current head of the dojo), Shihan Vincent Merenda (passed away 2025), Sensei Antonio Gonzalez (passed away 2023), Sensei Dimitri, Sensei Vito Agate, Sensei Tom, Sempai Chris and Sensei Michael Distefano, with Sempai Jesse behind.
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