Abe Foxman recalled at funeral as dedicated father, doting grandfather, giver of bear hugs
Abe Foxman, who grew from being a hidden child during the Holocaust into the country’s best-known fighter of Jew-hatred, was called a “towering” and “giant” figure in statement after statement from Jewish groups after his…
Assessment
The funeral of Abe Foxman offered a rare glimpse into the private life of a public figure who defined Jewish communal defense for decades. While his legacy as a relentless fighter against antisemitism is well documented, the eulogies revealed a man whose personal warmth and simple affections were equally central to his character. This shift in focus underscores how even towering leaders are remembered most intimately by those who knew them beyond the headlines.