Departures of note

Abraham Henry Foxman was born on May 1, 1940, in Baranovichi, then part of the Soviet Union, to Polish‑Jewish parents. He survived the Holocaust as a child, was raised Catholic in Vilnius, and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1950. He earned a BA in political science from City College of New York, a JD from NYU School of Law, and pursued graduate studies in Jewish studies and economics.

Foxman joined the Anti‑Defamation League in 1965 as a legal assistant and rose through its ranks. In 1987 he was appointed national director, a position he held until 2015, during which he expanded the ADL’s legal and educational programs, advocated against antisemitism, and became a prominent voice on civil‑rights issues. After stepping down, he served as national director emeritus and remained active in Jewish heritage institutions.

Throughout his career Foxman received numerous honors, including France’s Legion of Honor, the Raoul Wallenberg Humanitarian Leadership Award, and an honorary doctorate from Yeshiva University. He was known for his outspoken support of gay rights and his criticism of anti‑Semitic media portrayals. Abraham Foxman died on May 10, 2026, at the age of 86.