Applicant Reflections
It was heartwarming and inspiring to read our applicants' reflections on Byron Krieger's life and legacy. Here are a few excerpts:
"Being a two-time Olympic fencer and member of 3 Hall of Fames warranted Bryon Krieger the right to boast about his accomplishments, yet he displayed a virtue throughout his life that is continually forgotten. This virtue is humility. Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself, rather thinking of yourself less. There is a concept in Judaism called Cheshbon HaNefesh, which is a daily reflection of oneself to strive to become a better person daily...Bryon Krieger could have easily credited his own success to his extraordinary ability and talent, yet he remained humble...His sensational strength and humility originated from the acknowledgment that what he had was a gift."
-Esther Bentolili, Scheck Hillel Community School, Hollywood, FL
"Byron left behind a legacy, one of great atheticism and one of great morality. Being an athlete, I hope to continue his tradition of Tzedekah by giving back to my community and living a life full of morality.”
-Blake Segel, Brother Rice High School, W. Bloomfield, MI
“Although I never had the opportunity to meet Mr. Krieger, I know it would have been an honor. My Jewish upbringing as well as my dedication to sports, has given me something to believe in, and to grow up to be half as great as him is something to which a trophy could never compare. Though no longer with us, Mr. Krieger’s legacy will continue lighting a path to inspire those who feel a strong connection between their Jewish identity and passion for athletics.”
-Jordyn Cranis, Frankel Jewish Academy, W. Bloomfield, MI
"The most compelling part of Byron’s legacy to me is the single fact that he was an Ohr LaGoyim, a light to the other nations. It is not easy to both be a well-respected person and impact a Non-Jewish culture. Sports unite people all over the world, and to be a Jewish influence making a Kiddush HaShem in such a way that Byron did is amazing. I do not believe that I am talented enough to make a career out of sports, however, I do want to make an impact in the world. I want to become someone who not just Jews, but those of other faiths will look up to. Someone who can gain that respect, and be a figure in a Non-Jewish society, as well as a Jewish one, and spread the light of Judaism throughout the world as Byron did, is something towards which I aspire. My basketball coach, taught us this value on and off the court. Most teams when winning by a substantial margin will utilize their best players until the end. Coach would never let us run up the score as it hurts the other team to know that they lost badly. Because of Coach, the other coaches in our league stopped running up the score as well. They saw that the importance of having the opposing team maintain their self-respect. He emphasized good sportsmanship and discouraged “trash-talk.” At the end of each game our team was the first to line up to shake the opposing team’s hands especially before we would celebrate a win. He taught us to play hard, but respectfully, and be the Jewish representatives by being a mentsch on the court. Winning was not important if we had to compromise our values and integrity, something that Byron demonstrated as well."
-Yoni Broth, Yeshivat Har Etzion, Israel
"I find Byron Krieger’s perseverance and dedication to be very inspiring...Most of my athletic abilities came naturally, but Tae Kwon Do was harder than the rest. It was a long process and many times I wanted to give up. I set my goals and even through the difficulties, I reached black belt. I was dedicated to my training like Byron Krieger was to his. It is a key aspect not only for sports, but for everything else as well…This aspect compelled me the most because it is not only a characteristic that applies to sports, but to religion, family, and community. “
-Sarah Warshawsky, Berman Hebrew Academy, Silver Springs, MD
"The most compelling part of Mr. Krieger’s legacy is his humility in light of his tremendous success. It is inspiring to hear about his success from the viewpoint of his children and grandchildren, and how he always chose to give others and enjoy their successors above his own. He reminds me of my nana, who grew up in the same time. She always put family and Judaism first.”
-Rachel Hirsch, W. Bloomfield, MI
“After reading about Byron Krieger’s impressive athletic career, it became apparent that his legacy was not defined by athletics, but enhanced by it…This scholarship initially caught my attention based on its Jewish roots and athletic criteria, but what made me put so much time and effort into the process was the values that Mr. Krieger embodied, and he has become a role model for me.”
-Sammy Kirshenbaum, Sharon High School, Sharon, MA
"Being a two-time Olympic fencer and member of 3 Hall of Fames warranted Bryon Krieger the right to boast about his accomplishments, yet he displayed a virtue throughout his life that is continually forgotten. This virtue is humility. Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself, rather thinking of yourself less. There is a concept in Judaism called Cheshbon HaNefesh, which is a daily reflection of oneself to strive to become a better person daily...Bryon Krieger could have easily credited his own success to his extraordinary ability and talent, yet he remained humble...His sensational strength and humility originated from the acknowledgment that what he had was a gift."
-Esther Bentolili, Scheck Hillel Community School, Hollywood, FL
"Byron left behind a legacy, one of great atheticism and one of great morality. Being an athlete, I hope to continue his tradition of Tzedekah by giving back to my community and living a life full of morality.”
-Blake Segel, Brother Rice High School, W. Bloomfield, MI
“Although I never had the opportunity to meet Mr. Krieger, I know it would have been an honor. My Jewish upbringing as well as my dedication to sports, has given me something to believe in, and to grow up to be half as great as him is something to which a trophy could never compare. Though no longer with us, Mr. Krieger’s legacy will continue lighting a path to inspire those who feel a strong connection between their Jewish identity and passion for athletics.”
-Jordyn Cranis, Frankel Jewish Academy, W. Bloomfield, MI
"The most compelling part of Byron’s legacy to me is the single fact that he was an Ohr LaGoyim, a light to the other nations. It is not easy to both be a well-respected person and impact a Non-Jewish culture. Sports unite people all over the world, and to be a Jewish influence making a Kiddush HaShem in such a way that Byron did is amazing. I do not believe that I am talented enough to make a career out of sports, however, I do want to make an impact in the world. I want to become someone who not just Jews, but those of other faiths will look up to. Someone who can gain that respect, and be a figure in a Non-Jewish society, as well as a Jewish one, and spread the light of Judaism throughout the world as Byron did, is something towards which I aspire. My basketball coach, taught us this value on and off the court. Most teams when winning by a substantial margin will utilize their best players until the end. Coach would never let us run up the score as it hurts the other team to know that they lost badly. Because of Coach, the other coaches in our league stopped running up the score as well. They saw that the importance of having the opposing team maintain their self-respect. He emphasized good sportsmanship and discouraged “trash-talk.” At the end of each game our team was the first to line up to shake the opposing team’s hands especially before we would celebrate a win. He taught us to play hard, but respectfully, and be the Jewish representatives by being a mentsch on the court. Winning was not important if we had to compromise our values and integrity, something that Byron demonstrated as well."
-Yoni Broth, Yeshivat Har Etzion, Israel
"I find Byron Krieger’s perseverance and dedication to be very inspiring...Most of my athletic abilities came naturally, but Tae Kwon Do was harder than the rest. It was a long process and many times I wanted to give up. I set my goals and even through the difficulties, I reached black belt. I was dedicated to my training like Byron Krieger was to his. It is a key aspect not only for sports, but for everything else as well…This aspect compelled me the most because it is not only a characteristic that applies to sports, but to religion, family, and community. “
-Sarah Warshawsky, Berman Hebrew Academy, Silver Springs, MD
"The most compelling part of Mr. Krieger’s legacy is his humility in light of his tremendous success. It is inspiring to hear about his success from the viewpoint of his children and grandchildren, and how he always chose to give others and enjoy their successors above his own. He reminds me of my nana, who grew up in the same time. She always put family and Judaism first.”
-Rachel Hirsch, W. Bloomfield, MI
“After reading about Byron Krieger’s impressive athletic career, it became apparent that his legacy was not defined by athletics, but enhanced by it…This scholarship initially caught my attention based on its Jewish roots and athletic criteria, but what made me put so much time and effort into the process was the values that Mr. Krieger embodied, and he has become a role model for me.”
-Sammy Kirshenbaum, Sharon High School, Sharon, MA
