For 17 years, I had the privilege of working alongside – and learning from – Abe Foxman, one of the great Jewish leaders of our time. 

To almost everyone who knew him or knew of him, he was simply Abe. No last name needed.

To the public, Abe was the face and moral voice of the fight against antisemitism as national director of the Anti-Defamation League for 27 years. In fact, he was with the organization for 50 years, his entire career. To world leaders, he was an advisor, strategist, diplomat, and perhaps most importantly, conscience. To me, he was my mentor during my years at ADL and a friend for decades afterward.

Abe gave me opportunities that shaped my entire professional life. As my husband’s diplomatic career moved our family from New York to Washington, then to Israel and back again, Abe always found a place for me within the organization. With him, I learned how to operate within a large and growing bureaucracy and navigate the international Jewish communal space. I honed communications skills – he was without a doubt one of the best and most instinctive PR mavens I have ever........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)