Ryan Braun: Can He Ever Be a Role Model?

This fall, Kar-Ben released the second revised edition of Jewish Sports Stars: Athletic Heroes of the Past and Present. The book cover was originally set to feature Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman and Major League Baseball slugger and 2011 MVP Ryan Braun.

On July 22, 2013, however, MLB suspended Braun for 65 games for his involvement with the Biogenesis clinic, which was known to have provided illegal performance enhancing drugs to several MLB players, as well as for "conduct detrimental to baseball."

As a result, Kar-Ben chose to remove Braun from the book's cover. Said Kar-Ben publisher Joni Sussman, "While Ryan Braun is a very talented baseball player and we were originally excited to have a contemporary sports figure of his talent and stature with such a strong identification to his Jewish heritage on the cover, there was no question that, after the steroids scandal surfaced, his image was tarnished and he was no longer appropriate to serve as a role model for Jewish kids."

Braun's image has been replaced with a photo of Sandy Koufax, one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball history.

The revised cover

Although Braun's entry in the book remains, the following addendum was added inside the book's back cover: "Shortly after the publication of this book, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun (pages 6-8) was suspended for 65 games, the remainder of the 2013 Major League Baseball season, for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy."

Considering his recent mistakes, can Ryan Braun ever become a suitable role model for Jewish children? What Jewish role models are the best for very athletically-minded youth?

Afikomen Presents - A Top 5 List

Does your family have a tradition of Afikomen gifts? Whether you give to the winner who “ransoms” the Afikomen or to all who look, here are ideas for kids of all ages. Finding the Afikomen is so much fun, that we even have a book about it--Afikomen Mambo!

5. Cookbooks – Matzah Meals and Tasty Bible Stories are two terrific titles for children who are inclined towards cooking. A bonus gift would be hosting the budding cook in your kitchen one day to try out a couple recipes.

4. Jewish Sports Stars is a great read for kids 10 and up, especially reluctant readers who happen to like sports.

3. You can’t forget the wee ones, even if you think they’ll be asleep by the time to look for the Afikomen. Board Books are the perfect gift, and a perennial favorite is The Colors of My Jewish Year.

2. For kids who like to move, the Alef-Bet Yoga for Kids book is really fun. It teaches yoga poses and the Hebrew alphabet! Add the poster, too!

1. The ultimate, maybe extravagant, but definitely packed with educational value and Jewish learning gift: The Sammy Spider Complete Book Set, which includes 12 different Sammy Spider books!

Sammy Spider plush toys make great gifts, especially at each child’s place setting with a Sammy Spider Haggadah! What a special kids' table that would be!

What is the Afikomen present tradition in your family?