Abe Foxman recalled at funeral as dedicated father, doting grandfather, giver of bear hugs

(JNS) — Abe Foxman, who grew from being a hidden child during the Holocaust into the country’s best-known fighter of Jew-hatred, was called a “towering” and “giant” figure in statement after statement from Jewish groups after his death.

At his funeral on Tuesday, May 12, the capacity crowd that filled the pews at Park Avenue Synagogue heard a different aspect of Foxman’s life — the man who was a close friend and mentor to many, a father of two and grandfather of four.

The crowd heard of the man, who regularly sent texts to those he loved—texts that at times were just three heart emojis—and who...