Ryan Braun considers himself role model for Jewish community

Milwaukee Brewers All-Star left fielder Ryan Braun, has never attended Temple. Never had a bar mitzvah. But if the Jewish community wants to adapt him as one of their own, calling him, "The Hebrew Hammer,'' he's all for it.

Why, he was even inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in January.

"I am Jewish,'' says Braun, whose mother is Catholic and dad Jewish. "It's something I'm really proud of. But I don't want to make it into something more than what it is. I didn't have a Bar Mitzvah. I don't want to pretend that I did. I didn't celebrate the holidays.

"It's a touchy subject because I don't want to offend anybody, and I don't want groups claiming me now because I'm having success. But I do consider myself definitely Jewish. And I'm extremely proud to be a role model for young Jewish kids.''

Says Joe Braun, his father, who was born in Tel Avis: "My side of relatives were almost all killed by Germans. My mom and dad were fortunate enough to escape. There's a lot of heritage there, and Ryan realizes that and is able to embrace his heritage.

"Are you going to see him in Temple? No. Are you going to see me in Temple? No. But he knows he is a role model and wants to do the right thing.''



(usatoday.com)