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Joshua's application demonstrated superlative character, ambition, and achievement. He will attend Miami University Fall 2020 where he will participate in Track and Field. Joshua plans to major in Sports Administration and attend law school. He is interested in helping athletes avoid financial mismanagement. Joshua is involved in community volunteerism, leadership programs, and served as an intern for Houston's Mayor, Sylvester Turner. In his application essay, Joshua described in detail the fascinating story of his Lithuanian Jewish heritage beginning with his great-great grandfather who escaped religious persecution in Europe and landed in Boston. Joshua shared a close relationship with his great-grandmother from whom he learned more about his Jewish family history. "It is also interesting to me that Byron Krieger grew up in Detroit and went to Wayne State University. My great-grandmother Maryan Rittenberg also grew up in Detroit and she commuted to Wayne State from 1940-1942. That is an amazing coincidence! I wonder if they knew each other. Sadly, they both died in November 2015." |
l 2019 Winner: Gabriella Hirsch of Huntington Woods, Michigan Gabriella Hirsch will attend Cleveland University where she earned a fencing scholarship. She will fence foil for the university team. For the past 5 years, Gabi has trained 4-5 days a week at the Renaissance Fencing Club. She has competed in numerous local, regional, and national competitions. In December 2018, Gabi competed in an intense match at the North American Cup and place among the top 32, earning her first national rating. Coach Anotelie Senic describes Gabi as an athlete of "great flexibility and balance" who shines with "perspective and resilience." Despite several injuries, Gabi has prevailed. This summer, Gabi will attend a fencing training camp in preparation for the Summer Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. A public school student at the International Academy, Gabi holds a 3.8 GPA. Gabi is a member of Shir Tikva synagogue where she attended Hebrew school and enjoys community service activities. . |
"I love going to services at Congregation Shir Tikva. The community is so loving, caring, and welcoming, which I believe being Jewish is all about." "That Byron Krieger, an extremely strong fencer, also came from Michigan, inspires me so much. His legacy proves that you can find success if you are determined enough to work for it." |
Click here to read our applicants' reflections on Byron Krieger's legacy.
2018 Winner: Esther Bentolila of Hollywood, Florida
Esther Bentolila will attend Cornell University. She was recruited to fence for Cornell's sabre squad team. Esther is a competitive A level fencer and ranked 1st in the state of Florida, Regional RJCC Junior points winner, and 24th in the U.S. Junior Team. In 2015, she won a Silver Medal at the Cadet World Cup in Germany. In 2014, Esther earned the title of National Champion for her age group. She fenced in the Junior Olympics Championships earning 9th place in Cadet and 10th place in Junior in the year 2016. Additionally, she competed in several North American Cups earning top eight finishes and fifth place in 2018. Esther began fencing 10 years ago and trains five days a week. Esther is a graduate of Scheck Hillel Community School. Rabbi Elie Ganz, Judaics Studies teacher, writes: "Esther's devotion to the well-being of others, in tandem with her Jewish pride and values, makes her a remarkable young woman whose character and accomplishments shine brightly." Esther is involved in Jewish organizations such as NCSY and AIPAC and volunteers for WIZO (Women’s International Zionist Organization). Esther is also a talented musician in piano and violin. She is fluent in 3 languages and has strong family ties to Latin American culture. In addition to aspirations of joining the 2020 U.S. Olympic team, Esther's career goal is surgical medicine. Judaism is my essence, my being. |
I am beyond honored and humbled to have been chosen for this scholarship. I would love to carry on the legacy that Byron left and aspire to follow his footsteps, and eventually pay it forward in both the Jewish and fencing world. We must continue the teachings of the Torah and pass on the customs and traditions from generation to generation so that the legacy and torch of Judaism can be passed on. |
2017 Winner: Alyssa Hirsch of Huntington Woods, Michigan
2017 Runner-Up: Luby Kiriakidi of Rochester, New York
Alyssa HirschAlyssa Hirsch will attend Wayne State University, Byron Krieger’s alma mater, and fence for its NCAA Division II team. Like Byron, Alyssa fences foil, did not begin the sport until high school, and has a passion for history.
Alyssa trains daily at the Renaissance Fencing Club in Troy, Michigan under the direction of Head Foil Coach, Anatolie Senic. Alyssa is a member of the senior elite class and consistently places in the top eight in RJCC (Regional Junior Cadet Circuit) events. At the Midwest RJCC, Alyssa won second place in the Junior Women’s Foil. She is currently ranked 7th in her junior regional division. She placed 3rd in the 2017 midwest high school circuit. Recently, Alyssa placed 3rd at the Division III Women’s Foil and 7th in Division II at the North American Cup in Baltimore. A senior at the International Academy charter school, Alyssa maintains a 3.9 GPA in addition to her rigorous fencing training. She is also a talented musician and plays for her school orchestra and brass quintet. Alyssa is active in her Hebrew school, synagogue, and community pursuing service projects of tikkun olam (repairing the world). Being Jewish to me is being accepting of others, because you yourself know the pain of oppression, and at the end of the day, we are all human. |
Luby KiriakidiLuby is a junior at Cornell University studying Classics. She began her fencing training under the direction of her father, David Taylor, then later at the Rochester, NY Fencing Club and then Cornell University. Luby has competed nationally and won 1st place in Women’s Foil at the New York State Championship. She was one of only three Cornell team fencers to qualify for the 2017 NCAA Championships.
Daria Hyla Schneider, Head Fencing Coach at Cornell, wrote: "Luby brings an open mind, a sunny disposition, incredible work ethic, and a never-ending hunger for excellence to practice every day.” I believe kindness is one of the most powerful gifts that anyone can bestow on herself and the people around her every day. Some see it as a sign of weakness, but I disagree, and it seems Mr. Krieger did too, considering how strong of an individual he was. |
