- 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 fifty 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; “Senator Kennedy embodied the spirit of public service and a commitment to social justice. We are honored to have worked closely with him and thankful for his friendship. His death will leave a void in the Senate that may never be filled.”
- 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 Senator 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 values, here and abroad.”
- The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America: “Senator Kennedy was a towering figure whose contributions to the United States over his lengthy senate tenure are as numerous as they are legendary.”
- B’nai B’rith International: “No one else had such an impressive record of looking out for the most vulnerable – children, the poor, and the elderly.”
- National Council of Jewish Women: "Senator 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 distinguished career in the U.S. Senate where he was an influential and effective legislator 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: "Senator 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: "Senator Kennedy was one of his generation’s most powerful and eloquent voices against global anti-Semitism."
Remembering Ted Kennedy
Advertisement
