Obituaries

Obituaries are updated and archived on thejewishnews.com

Kennedy Championed
Soviet Jewry, Israel

the early 1980s and was a strong backer
of recognizing Jerusalem as the capital
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
of Israel.
He also publicly rebuked President
Washington
George H.W. Bush when he linked settle-
ments to U.S. loan guarantees for the
ichigan Democratic Sen.
emigration of Soviet Jews and was a
Carl Levin commented on
leading voice in speaking out against the
the Aug. 26 passing of Ted
Arab boycott of Israel.
Kennedy, his longtime Senate colleague
Israeli officials rushed
from Massachusetts.
to
praise Kennedy, with
"Ted Kennedy was a
Prime
Minister Benjamin
joyous and powerful light
Netanyahu
calling the sen-
in the life of every person
ator
"an
American
patriot"
touched by his life's work,"
and
"a
great
friend
of
said Levin.
Israel,"
according
to
media
"We will miss him ter-
reports.
ribly, as a leader and a
And Israeli President
colleague and a friend.
Shimon
Peres said
His spirit will continue to
Kennedy's
death was "a
lift the hearts of all who
very
big
loss
to every sen-
seek fairness and compas-
edy
Sen.
Ted
Kenn
sitive
and
thinking
person
sion in our lives.
the
world
over."
"Barb and I send our
"Kennedy was a clear friend of Israel
sympathy and love to Vicki and the
the
whole way, and in every place that he
entire Kennedy family."
could
help us he did help',' he added.
Kennedy is being remembered in the
Jewish community for his huge impact
Wide Praise
on domestic issues such as education
The late senator drew praise from a
and health care, but also as a giant in the
broad range of Jewish organizations,
Soviet Jewry movement.
including both the Orthodox Union and
Kennedy "was one of the earliest,
the Religious Action Center of Reform
strongest champions on behalf of Soviet
Judaism.
Jewry," said Mark Levin, executive direc-
They noted that he had worked on a
tor of NCSJ: Advocates on Behalf of Jews
vast
array of domestic issues over his 47
in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States &
years
on Capitol Hill, from religious lib-
Eurasia.
erty bills such as the Religious Freedom
"He was always proactive and didn't
Restoration Act, to his efforts on chil-
wait for NCSJ and other organizations to
come to him — he was always looking to dren's health insurance.
In a statement released by the
see where he could make a difference."
National
Council of Jewish Women, its
The
Case
for
In his 2006 book
president, Nancy Ratzan, remarked:
Democracy: The Power of Freedom to
"We were honored to work by his side
Overcome Tyranny and Terror, Natan
on so many critical issues: Family and
Sharansky specifically mentions
Medical Leave, the Lilly Ledbetter Act,
Kennedy as the first Western politician
the Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights, the
to meet with refuseniks "in a midnight
Americans with Disability Act, hate
meeting that was kept secret from the
crimes prevention, the Employment
KGB until the very last moment."
Non-Discrimination Act, the Freedom
And Levin noted that whenever
of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, health
Kennedy met with Soviet officials, in
care, the increase in the minimum wage,
Washington or in the Soviet Union, he
and numerous judicial nominations
would bring lists of those he wanted to
— to name a few."
see released.
"On the little stuff and the big stuff,
"He never forgot we were talking about
he was always there for us," said Nancy
individuals and families," Levin said.
Kennedy also will be remembered as a Kaufman, executive director of the
strong champion of Israel. Jewish organi- Boston Jewish Community Relations
zational officials noted that he was a stal- council.
"There wasn't an issue he wasn't on
wart supporter of foreign aid, opposed
arms sales to Jordan and Saudi Arabia in top of."

Eric Fingerhut

M

Remembering Ted

Rachel Tepper

Jewish Telegraphic Agency

T

he following are among reactions to the passing of Sen. Kennedy:
• United Jewish Communities: "He was a good friend to the Jewish
Federation system and the Jewish people worldwide, including Soviet Jewry
and the State of Israel."
• Anti-Defamation League: "Throughout his nearly 50 years in the Senate, his was
a voice of reason, principle and passion that cut to the core of the fundamental ideals
and future of this nation, especially in the tumultuous and polarizing policy debates."
• Jewish Council for Public Affairs: "Sen. Kennedy embodied the spirit of public
service and a commitment to social justice. We are honored to have worked close-
ly with him and thankful for his friendship."
• Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism's Director Rabbi David Saperstein:
"Sen. Kennedy's guidance over the years has been indispensable to our work, and
my personal friendship with him was one of the great blessings of my life."
• National Jewish Democratic Council: "Kennedy dedicated much of his life to
ensuring that affordable health care is available for all Americans. The greatest
tribute that we can bestow is to thoughtfully, but urgently, enact comprehensive
health insurance reform."
• American Jewish Congress: "The values of compassion for the less-fortunate,
which Sen. Kennedy passionately defended during nearly five decades in the
Senate, shall be his lasting contribution to the country he loved."
• American Council for World Jewry's Chairman Jack Rosen: "This is a sad day
for America. Senator Kennedy was a personal friend to me and a role model for so
many of us who have sought to advance the national interest and American val-
ues, here and abroad."
• The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America: "Sen. Kennedy was
a towering figure whose contributions to the United States over his lengthy sen-
ate tenure are as numerous as they are legendary."
• B'nai B`rith International: "No one else had such an impressive record of look-
ing out for the most vulnerable – children, the poor, and the elderly."
• National Council of Jewish Women: "Sen. Kennedy's passionate voice and
strong leadership on social justice issues will be sorely missed. Whether the cause
was civil rights or economic justice, Sen. Kennedy was in the lead, providing not
only the passionate public voice for the issues but the behind-the - scenes strategic
leadership as well."
• The National Conference on Soviet Jewry: "He was knowledgeable, informed
and involved, and he always, always paid attention to our issues. He came to our
apartments to sit with us, without pretense. He advocated for our freedom."
• The Zionist Organization of America: "Senator Kennedy had a long and distin-
guished career in the U.S. Senate where he was an influential and effective legisla-
tor on health care, civil rights, education and immigration reform."
• The American Israel Public Affairs Committee: "Sen. Kennedy became the
leading champion for persecuted Soviet Jewry, advocating on behalf of refuseniks
and those Jews wishing to leave the Soviet Union, personally raising their issues
with Soviet leaders at every possible opportunity, and demanding that the United
States provide loan guarantees to Israel to absorb Jewish refugees."
• The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston: "We will all miss his
passion and his commitment to democratic issues and values, and we must continue
his legacy of advocacy for social justice. May his blessing be for a memory always."
• The Simon Wiesenthal Center: "Sen. Kennedy was also a steadfast and loyal
friend of the State of Israel and the Jewish Community."
• Hadassah: "With the passing of Sen. Kennedy, our nation has lost a champion of
human rights and healthcare. He was a legislative giant and we are forever grateful
for his legislative work, much of which was focused on issues important to Hadassah."
• The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations: "He
was a true friend of Israel who was not afraid to take on contentious issues and
urged his colleagues to join him in his support for vital issues including Israel
and freedom for Jews in the Soviet Union. His legacy of leadership will be felt for
generations to come."
• Agudath Israel of America: "Sen. Kennedy was one of his generation's most
powerful and eloquent voices against global anti-Semitism." ill

Obituaries on page 66

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