Remembering Abe Foxman: The Last True Spokesman for American Jewry

Abe Foxman was more than just a leader; he was the last true spokesman for American Jewry, a title that carries immense weight and significance.

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He could have been my grandfather.

His passing on Sunday at the age of 86 marks the end of an era for American Jewish leadership. For decades, Foxman served as the national director of the Anti-Defamation League, a role he held from 1987 to 2015. During his tenure, he became a powerful and often unyielding voice against antisemitism, shaping public discourse and advocating for the Jewish community on a global scale.

Born in Belarus and a Holocaust survivor, Foxman's journey to the United States and his subsequent rise within the ADL embodied the American dream for many Jewish immigrants. He navigated the complex landscape of American politics and society, engaging with presidents, popes, and international leaders. His ability to command attention and articulate the concerns of American Jews was unparalleled in his time.

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He stood for what that generation of American Jews had been able to do: leave the immigrant experience behind, build a place in America, and climb into the country’s institutions far enough to actually use the access.

However, the article rightly points out that the position of "spokesman for American Jewry" is fading with him. The landscape has shifted dramatically since Foxman first rose to prominence. The once-stable Jewish institutions, the consensus on civic pluralism, and the unified support for Israel have all evolved. Foxman, in many ways, outlived the era he so effectively represented. His passing is not just a personal loss but a symbolic one, signaling a new chapter for American Jewish leadership that will undoubtedly be more fragmented and diverse.

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He spoke for American Jewry at a time when the position of “spokesman for American Jewry” still existed and still meant something.

From our perspective at The Jerusalem Post, Abe Foxman's legacy is one of unwavering dedication and a powerful, often controversial, advocacy. He was a figure who commanded respect, even from his detractors, and his absence will be deeply felt in the ongoing fight against antisemitism and in the broader conversation about Jewish identity in America and around the world.

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That position is leaving with him, and not only because Abe is dead.