Shira Palmer Sherman Memorial Lecture: A Conversation with Abe Foxman

Join us for an evening with Abe Foxman, in conversation with Joanne Palmer about his extraordinary life’s journey. Born in Poland at the outbreak of World War II, Abe was saved by his devoutly Catholic nanny, who raised him as her own. Reunited with his parents in a displaced persons camp, he later grew up on an egg farm in South Jersey before pursuing a career in law. In 1965, he joined the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), rising to become its national director in 1987—a position he held for nearly three decades.

Since retiring from the ADL in 2015, Abe has remained a powerful voice in the Jewish world. But today, he finds his lifelong optimism shaken by the challenges he sees unfolding around us. In this intimate discussion, he’ll share his reflections on the past, his perspective on the present, and the lessons his life has taught him as we look toward the future.

About Abraham Foxman

Abraham Foxman is world-renowned as a leader in the fight against antisemitism, bigotry and discrimination and regularly speaks out on issues of global antisemitism, the war on terrorism, church/state issues, and issues relating to the Holocaust, which he survived as a hidden child. He is a passionate supporter of the State of Israel and a voice for peace in the Middle East.

Mr. Foxman is National Director Emeritus of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), from which he retired in 2015 after 50 years with the organization, including serving as National Director from 1987 through 2015. Upon retirement, he served as Vice Chairman of the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City. He is the author of several books, and co-authored Viral Hate: Containing Its Spread on the Internet.

During his long career, he had personal consultations with government leaders in Europe, Israel and the Middle East, the Far East, Latin America and Africa. He has also had multiple audiences at the Vatican, including with Pope Francis, and conferred with U.S. presidents from Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama.

A Holocaust survivor, Mr. Foxman has been a member of the President’s United States Holocaust Memorial Council, appointed by Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, and Biden.