Abe Foxman, a true leader and spokesman for American Jewry, has passed away, leaving a void that cannot be easily filled. His death marks the end of an era, one defined by a generation of American Jews who were able to leave the immigrant experience behind and build a place in America. Foxman, who was born in Baranovichi, Belarus, in 1940, survived the Holocaust as a small child and went on to become a prominent figure in the Jewish community. He was a graduate of the Yeshiva of Flatbush, the City College of New York, and NYU School of Law, and joined the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in 1965, serving as its national director from 1987 to 2015.
Foxman's leadership was characterized by his unwavering commitment to democracy and pluralism. He understood that unconditional support of a state is not a Jewish virtue, and he applied the same principle to Israel. This is the part of Abe's record that I think matters most. He did not threaten Israel, nor did he boycott it. Instead, he made his support contingent on the one thing he believed Israel could not afford to give up: its democracy and its pluralism. He said so out loud while it was still possible to do so without being read as a defection.
Foxman's leadership was also marked by his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. He was received by three popes, sat in the White House under presidents of both parties, and spoke for American Jewry at a time when the position of 'spokesman for American Jewry' still existed and still meant something. However, this position is now leaving with him, not only because Abe is dead, but because the conditions that produced him are gone.
In my opinion, Foxman's passing is a loss for the Jewish community, not just in America, but also in Israel. He was a voice of reason and moderation, a leader who understood the importance of democracy and pluralism, and who was willing to speak out against antisemitism and other forms of bigotry. His legacy will be one of courage and conviction, and his memory will be a blessing for all who knew him and for those who continue to fight for a better world.
As we reflect on Foxman's life and legacy, we must also consider the challenges that lie ahead. The Holocaust survivor generation is leaving us, and the institutional Jewish leadership that came up around them is shrinking. The work of being publicly, civilly, stubbornly pro-Israel and pro-democracy at the same time is harder than it has ever been, and fewer people are willing to do it. However, some of us will eventually have to try, knowing in advance that we will not do it as well as he did, and that doing it anyway is part of the obligation. Foxman's passing is a reminder of the importance of leadership and the need for a new generation of voices to step forward and continue his work.
