Tag Archives: Anti-Defamation League

Powerful Jewish Leader Leaving Anti-Defamation League

Abraham Foxman, who has lead the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for 30 years, announced that he will be retiring this month.

Foxman began his career with the ADL in 1965 when he graduated from law school and rose to be the group’s head in 1987.  Under his leadership, the group has become a $60 million a year organization that runs anti-bias programs, monitors anti-Semitism in the United States and around the world along with advocating for Jews and Israel.

Foxman received praise from all corners of the political world after his announcement.

“Abe is one of the three or four people you have to speak to on any given issue,” said former White House official Jarrod Bernstein, who did Jewish outreach during President Barack Obama’s first term.

“Abe was like an uncle to me. If you did something he thought you were on the wrong side of, he was going to let you know about it,” Bernstein told JTA. “On the flip side, if he thought you were being treated unfairly, or you did something right, he wouldn’t hesitate to say that either. That’s important and we need more of that in the American Jewish community.”

Foxman believes that the work of the ADL is the reason the United States has some of the lowest incidents of anti-Semitism in the world.

“I don’t take credit for it, but I’m part of the effort — not only of the American Jewish community, but of decent people in this country, to fight it,” Foxman said.

“The most significant difference between the United States and the rest of the world is that in this country, there is a consequence to being a bigot and an anti-Semite. If you’re in commerce, if you’re in politics, if you’re in the arts — whatever it is — and you act out as an anti-Semite, you will pay a price.”

Foxman will be replaced by Jonathan Greenblatt, a White House aide.

Anti-Semitic Incidents In U.S. Jump 21 Percent

A new report from the Anti-Defamation League shows that anti-Semitic attacks in the United States jumped 21 percent in the last year.

The shocking statistics counter a ten year decline in attacks on Jews.

Abraham Foxman of the ADL says that “The United States still continues to be unique in history” when it comes to being a safe place for Jews.  However, the rise in incidents raises concern because 40 percent of the world’s Jews live in the U.S.

“It’s still different here than anywhere else, but don’t take anything for granted, and be concerned,” Foxman said.

The ADL researchers say that the rise is likely connected to the 50-day war where Islamic terrorists were attacking Israel.  Some of the incidents that were quoted in the report include vandals painting “Jews are killing innocent children” on a gate of a Jewish summer camp and spray painting “God Bless Gaza” on a synagogue in Massachusetts.

2014 also included a fatal shooting outside a Jewish Community Center in Overland Park, Kansas by an avowed anti-Semite.