If you are concerned the world is on an upside-down trajectory, Ezra Krieg will tell you otherwise.
This optimist in chief will tell you reasons not to fret. And you’ll believe him.
Not because he is a political pundit. But because he is a compassionate kind servant of humanity.
Krieg has been a savior for those in need of housing and services for many years. His good deeds are on his resume, but his glowing presence is seen by those around him.
And, there are usually quite a lot of people circling his orbit. That’s because Krieg is a man of selfless acts, with a sense of humor and community spirit that could ignite an Olympic torch.
For those who cannot help themselves, Krieg (and his co-workers) spread out a safety net for them to leap upon. His humility is a badge of honor he wears subtly, yet others are besotted by it.
“Ezra works tirelessly on behalf of those lacking many of the things most of us take for granted. Without his leadership, so many of the social action and community programs in Delray would never even happen,” said Rabbi Steven Moss of Temple Sinai in Delray Beach.
Moss is right. Krieg has spent his life (collaborating with others) to help those in need. It’s almost as if he is motivated by an ethereal source of righteousness.
He is.
“My parents were very much into giving back and repairing the world. When I was small I was taught about Tzedakah – acts of charity and generosity,” said the Tennessee born Delray sage.
Krieg started his career path as a college fraternity liaison. He traveled the US and Canada visiting college campuses for Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity. “I ate pizza and chased girls for a living for two years; it was phenomenal.”
But don’t let that party boy image stay in your psyche. The reason is that Krieg is a master of commu-nication, administration and collaborating with others.
He was first Director of the Lewis Center (that housed those without homes) and worked at Daily Bread Food Bank, Kids In Distress and Gulfstream Goodwill Industries.
He is on many boards and community organizations that protect those in need. He is Board Treasurer of the Interfaith Committee for Social Services, the Delray Beach Housing Authority, Chair of the Delray Beach Initiative to End Homelessness, an active member of Leadership Palm Beach, and Chair of the Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners Affordable Housing Commission.
But those titles are only a sample of Krieg’s work for the underserved and marginalized. As a matter of fact, he has a sense of equanimity about humanity that crosses neighborhoods and stereotypes. He raises funds with well-connected philanthropists and community leaders; yet also attends events like the Annual Homeless Memorial Service at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church.
That could be one reason the Housing Leadership Council awarded Krieg their Housing Impact Hero. “Not all heroes wear capes! Sometimes a Hero is just a per-son with a heart and the brains to get things done and the commitment to persevere,” said James Gavrilos, CEO of The Education Foundation of Palm Beach County.
He was also named Jaycee of the Year (from Bradenton Jaycees), South Florida Magazine Hurricane Hero and was honored by the Delray Beach Housing Authority.
But awards have little to do with Krieg’s sense of social responsibility and mission. His friend (and co-member of Impact 100 Men Delray) Chuck Halberg knows that well.
“Ezra Krieg is a true mensch! He helps and gives to many organizations with no fanfare or pats on the back. His work with the homeless population is legendary.”
It sure is.He is on the board of the Homeless and Housing Alliance of Palm Beach County and is a member of the committee that executes the prevention program that provides monetary grants for people facing homelessness.
Krieg is on more boards than a competitive swimmer. But getting his feet wet in the depths of helping others is his raison d’être. “I’m a good listener and try to look at the world from other peoples’ points of view. Those things help me get people to work together for a common cause,” said Krieg, who lives in Delray with his wife of 28 years Marsha Eisenberg.
To know Ezra is to know that his parents were not only patriotic but steeped in their commitment to helping others. Born in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, his father was a scientist with the Atomic Energy Commission. “My father was a patriot. He didn’t like the idea of making weapons, but he believed in his country.”
That is why the Krieg family moved every year, and Ezra went to different schools each time. Being the new kid in class may have reinforced his adaptability and collaborative spirit. Those qualities have been the bedrock of his quest to help others.
As a matter of fact, it was in his formative years that young Ezra showed promise as a fighter for causes he believed in.
“My first ‘professional’ job was in High School for the Massachusetts Department of Education Student Service Center. As student advocates we wrote legislation to ensure the right of pregnant students to have a public-school education in Massachusetts.”
This zeal and caring instinct is what has captivated the heart of those around him. Especially Mar-jorie Waldo. “Ezra Krieg is a special man. His activism brings community members together to support the neediest among us. Ezra would give you (homeless or not) the shirt off his back if you needed help,” said the CEO and President of Arts Garage.
Krieg carries this mission to everything he does. As the Program Chair for the Kiwanis Club of Delray Beach he invites a different speaker each week to address members. “I invite different speakers from the nonprofit world to tell our members what they’re doing. This way they can get involved.”
He may not be an Olympian, but Krieg also helps raise funds for charities on foot. Every month he (and friends) participates in a 5K walk/run for a different charity. His pace, however, is calibrated by his force.
“I really walk slowly, but my goal is not to be last. Occasionally I knock someone over to not be last,” he says jokingly.
When asked about his motivation to serve those who are marginalized in society, he has this to say: “One of my motivations for what I do is related to my family. I want my kids to live in a world that’s better than the world I live in, and to make sure my wife lives in a nurturing world.”
The father of two (Zachary and Max) is not only an advocate for those in need, but he is also the ultimate optimist.
“I really believe that we can make the world a better place if we all work together.”
