Abe Foxman
...At the beginning of World War Two, Abraham Foxman's family fled from
their city of origin, Baranowicz, to Vilna. Foxman's father, Josef
Foxman, was one of the leaders of the Revisionist Zionist Organization
and
the editor of the Revisionist newsletter Blau Weiss. Josef was arrested
and sent to a concentration camp after one of the first selections
following Vilna's capture by the Nazis in 1941. His wife escaped from
the
ghetto and posed as an Aryan. When Abraham was handed over to
Bronislawa
Korpi by his parents, he was a year and a half old, and an only child.
"My parents gave me to Brunia without hesitation," Foxman says. "The
Polish Catholic worked in our home and was treated as a member of the
family."
As a pious Catholic, Brunia was quick to baptize the Jewish toddler in
a neighborhood church. Her decision to raise the Jewish infant involved
a risk to her own life.
"Because I was circumcised, Brunia would have been put to death if the
Nazis had discovered that she was hiding me."
Foxman's mother, who lived in the Aryan Quarter, occasionally risked a
visit to her infant son and brought him food. Korpi proved to be a
devoted caretaker, who saw to the protection of the infant's soul, as
well
as his physical needs, when she had him baptized.
Foxman vaguely remembers that Korpi treated him like a member of the
family and saw to all his needs during the period when she cared for
him.
He was not aware of his Jewish heritage.
Immediately after the war, a tortuous chapter began in the life of the
toddler Abraham Foxman, or Henrik Stanislav Korpi. After returning to
Vilna, Foxman's parents decided to live temporarily in Lodz, and "It
was
only natural that Brunia would join us in Lodz," Foxman says.
However, even after his father assisted and supported Korpi, she
refused to return the child to his parents. "The child was baptized as
a
Christian and will remain a Christian," she said.
At first, Foxman says, "My father tried to avoid an argument, and he
tried to get me back by means of persuasion."
But Korpi insisted that she would not return the boy to his parents. In
order to undermine any attempts by the father to get his son back,
Korpi turned to the KGB in Lodz. She informed on Josef and caused him
to be
arrested twice.
On the advice of the KGB, Foxman's parents sued Korpi and demanded in
court that he be identified as a Jew and returned to his family of
origin. The court battle extended for a year and a half.
However, even after the court found that Abraham was a Jew, and ordered
Korpi to return him to his parents, the devoted Catholic woman did not
surrender. She kidnapped Abraham twice and hid him.
"With the help of friends in Lodz, my father discovered where I was
hidden and took me back," Foxman says. Foxman's parents decided to
leave
Poland in order to get over the trauma of the battle in court. They
lived in Austria for years, and later emigrated to the United States.
Foxman's father continued to send money to Korpi.
Several weeks ago, Foxman met with Pope John Paul II. "I asked him to
pray for Brunia's memory, the woman who saved my life," Foxman says.
"The existence of the Vatican document ordering that Jewish children
not
be returned to their families, was publicized several days after I met
with the Pope, and I suddenly understood why Brunia struggled to keep
me
as a Christian," Foxman continues. "I believe that the priest in the
church where I prayed with Brunia told her about the Vatican letter and
ordered her not to return me because I was baptized."
Foxman is convinced that "there are now thousands of people who are
unaware, and we are unaware, that they were born as Jews and baptized
as
Christians by the Catholics that saved them during the Nazi occupation.
The children's saviors are now dead, and their secrets were buried with
them."
He said the newly revealed document "made me very sad. The rescue of
children by Catholics was a noble chapter, but in retrospect, the order
not to return children robs the rescue of its human significance. They
didn't save children. They wanted to save souls."

Haaretz
Abraham Foxman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Born in Poland to Jewish parents, Abraham Henry Foxman is the only son
of Joseph and Helen Foxman.[1] Foxman's Polish Catholic nanny saved
him from the Holocaust in 1940. She had him by baptized into the Roman
Catholic Church.[citation needed] He was raised Catholic until
reunited with his parents in 1944. [2]

Most of the members of his family were murdered in Nazi concentration
camps.[citation needed] Foxman's father supported Vladimir Jabotinsky,
founder of Revisionist Zionism. As a young man Foxman belonged to
Betar, the Jabotinsky youth movement.[citation needed]

Education
Foxman emigrated to the United States in 1950 with his parents.[1] He
graduated from Yeshivah of Flatbush, in Brooklyn, New York. He earned
a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the City College
of New York and graduated with honors in history. Foxman also holds a
law degree from the New York University School of Law. He did graduate
work in Jewish studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America
and in international economics at New York's New School University.

Career
Foxman has worked for the Anti-Defamation League since 1965. The ADL
promoted him to National Director in 1987 after the death of long-time
National Director Nathan Perlmutter. Foxman has adopted liberal
policies at the ADL, supporting the ill-fated Oslo Accords. Throughout
his tenure he has obtained meetings with many world leaders, including
past U.S. Presidents, current President George W. Bush, many Middle
Eastern leaders, Nelson Mandela, and Pope John Paul II.

Awards
Foxman has been awarded several honors from non-profit groups,
religious figures and statesmen. In 1998 Foxman received the
Interfaith Committee of Remembrance Lifetime Achievement Award "as a
leader in the fight against anti-Semitism, bigotry and
discrimination."[3] Foxman won the Raoul Wallenberg Humanitarian
Leadership Award on April 18th, 2002 from the Center for Holocaust and
Genocide Studies.[4] On October 16, 2006 Foxman was presented with the
Legion of Honor by Jacques Chirac, France's highest civilian honor.[5]

Controversies
Jude Wanniski, a Jewish journalist and conservative commentator who
worked as associate editor of The Wall Street Journal, called for
Abraham Foxman to be fired from his position as national director of
the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). In a memorandum to Howard P.
Berkowitz, National Chair of the ADL, Wanniski states: "I think you
have to offer Abe Foxman an early retirement or flat out fire
him...Abe (Foxman) has become drunk with power, swinging his weight
around knowing he can label anyone who challenges him an anti-Semitic
bigot." [citation needed]

In recent years he has become a controversial figure because of his
central role in winning a presidential pardon from former United
States President Bill Clinton for Marc Rich, the international
businessman who gave $250,000 to the ADL while Foxman worked for his
pardon.[6]

Foxman's support for gay rights in America placed him at odds with
many Orthodox Jews. Concerning the former, which involved his protest
in 2000-2001 of a case in which "the Supreme Court ruled that the Boy
Scouts of America could exclude a gay scoutmaster because of his
sexual orientation"; it was reported that "For many Jewish groups that
work with the Boy Scouts -- mainly Reform temples and Jewish community
centers -- the ensuing year has been marked by soul-searching, as they
grappled with whether they should end their ties to the organization
because of the organization's stance on gays," and that "Within the
Jewish community, Orthodox groups supported the ruling, saying civic
organizations should be empowered to determine their own message --
but most Jewish organizations condemned it as endorsing
discrimination." According to that report published a year later, in
2001, "the Anti-Defamation League's national director, Abraham Foxman,
and its national chairman, Howard Berkowitz, said in a statement at
the time: "We are stunned that in the year 2000 the Supreme Court
could issue such a decision.... This decision effectively states that
as long as an organization avows an anti-homosexual position, it is
free to discriminate against gay and lesbian Americans."[7]

Leading up to the 2005 commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the
historic Million Man March in Washington, D.C., October 14-16, 2005,
Foxman sent newswires out entitled "ADL Urges Prominent
African-American Leaders to Reconsider Their Support of the Millions
More Movement." Hip-Hop Summit Action Network Chairman, Russell
Simmons, who engages in activism against anti-Semitism, released "the
following response to ADL Director, Abraham Foxman's letter urging
prominent Black leaders to reconsider their support for the upcoming
Millions More Movement":

For over 50 years, Minister Farrakhan has labored to resurrect the
downtrodden masses of African Americans up out of poverty and
self-destruction. A few days ago I personally witnessed him affirm, "A
Muslim can not hate a Jew. We are all members of the family of Abraham
and all of us should maintain dialogue and mutual respect." Our work,
commitment, and lives are all dedicated to uplifting all people
through love, goodwill, equality, peace and justice for all…Simply
put, you are misguided, arrogant, and very disrespectful of African
Americans and most importantly your statements will unintentionally or
intentionally lead to a negative impression of Jews in the minds of
millions of African Americans. Similar to how you single-handedly
caused millions of persons to flock to see the "Passion of Christ" in
defiance of your call for non-attendance, you are going to precipitate
a tremendous negative defiance of your demands that will again
severely hurt and harm relations between Jews and African
Americans.[8]

Foxman's support [in 2005?] for Israel's unilateral disengagement plan
from the Gaza Strip has also raised conflict with the Orthodox Jewish
community.[citations needed]

In October 2006, representing the ADL, Foxman protested former
President Jimmy Carter's book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, saying
that in the book Carter is "engaging in anti-Semitism.[9] As quoted a
month later, in interview remarks cited for an article by James Traub
published in The New York Times Magazine, Foxman says that he is,
nevertheless, not calling the former president an "anti-Semite".[10]

] Notes
^ a b Marquis' Who's Who in America, 60th Diamond Ed. (2006) 2: 1358.
^ 'When his parents were forced into a ghetto in Vilna, Lithuania,
during War World II, they put the infant Abraham in the care of an
uneducated Christian nanny, a warm and devoted protector whom he came
to love as a mother. But he also learned from her the secret
prejudices that can be hidden in a "good person." In his nanny's care,
the little boy learned to spit at a Jew in the street, to mock him as
"dirty Jew." He remembers now the warmth at her hearth and bosom, but
she unwittingly gave him the cold, critical eye he casts toward
bigotry now.' [1]
^ "Humanitarian Award Winners: Lifetime Achievement Award Winners:
1998," Interfaith Committee of Remembrance, accessed January 19, 2007.
^ "Anti-Defamation League National Director Abraham H. Foxman is
Recipient of Wallenberg Humanitarian Award," Center for Holocaust and
Genocide Studies (News Release Archives), press release February 8,
2002, accessed January 19, 2007.
^ Associated Press, "French President Chirac Urges Vigilance Against
Anti-Semitism," Haaretz [date?], [date accessed?].
^ Anthony York, "Politics: Read My Lips: No New Press Conferences:
Plus: Another Casualty in the Marc Rich Pardon Debacle? Linda Chavez
Says Campaign Finance Reform Is Dead. Alan Greenspan Is Dreamy,"
Salon.com March 29, 2001, accessed January 19, 2007.
^ As qtd. by Sharon Samber (for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency), "Jews
Pained by Anti-Gay Scouts a Year After Court Ruling," The Jewish News
Weekly of Northern California (formerly the Jewish Bulletin of
Northern California), February 13, 2001, accessed January 19, 2007.
^ Russell Simmons, "Russell Simmons Responds to Abraham Foxman about
the Millions More Movement: online posting, Millions More Movement May
9, 2005, accessed January 19, 2007.
^ James D. Besser, "Jewish Criticism of Carter Intensifies: Charge of
Anti-Semitism from One Leader as Ex-president Deepens His Critique of
Israeli Policy in West Bank," The Jewish Week December 15, 2005,
accessed January 8, 2007.
^ James Traub,"Does Abe Foxman Have an Anti-Anti-Semite Problem?" New
York Times Magazine January 14, 2007: 30-35, accessed January 14, 2007
online; January 18, 2007 in print.
Yad Vashem reports for Fuxman from Baranowicze;
Fuxman Aaron
Aaron Fuxman was born in Nowa Mysz, Poland in 1885 to Abraham and
Esther. He was married to Adela. Prior to WWII he lived in
Baranowicze, Poland. During the war was in Ostrog, Poland. Aaron
perished in 1942 in Ostrog, Poland. This information is based on a
Page of Testimony (displayed to the left) submitted on 15/03/1972 by
his son
Joseph Foxman. ...

Fuxman Adela
Adela Fuxman was born in Lachowicze, Poland in 1885 to Gdale and
Sulamit. She was married to Aaron. Prior to WWII she lived in
Baranowice, Poland. During the war was in Baranowice, Poland. Adela
perished in 1941 in Baranowice, Poland. This information is based on a
Page of Testimony (displayed to the left) submitted on 15/03/1972 by
her son Joseph Foxman. ...

Fuxman Salomon
Salomon Fuxman was born in Baranowicze, Poland in 1915 to Aaron and
Adela. Prior to WWII he lived in Baranowicze, Poland. During the war
was in Baranowicze, Poland. Salomon perished in 1941 in Baranowicze,
Poland. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on
15/03/1972 by his brother Joseph Foxman. ... Fuxman Sheina
Sheina Fuxman was born in Baranowicze, Poland in 1910. She was
married to Chaim. Prior to WWII she lived in Baranowicze, Poland.
During the war was in Baranowicze, Poland. Sheina perished in 1942 in
Baranowicze, Poland. This information is based on a Page of Testimony
(displayed to the left) submitted on 15/03/1972 by Joseph Foxman. ...
Fuxman Rachela
Rachela Fuxman was born in Baranowicze, Poland in 1920 to Aaron and
Adela. Prior to WWII she lived in Baranowicze, Poland. During the war
was in Slonim, Poland. Rachela perished in 1941 in Slonim, Poland.
This information is based on a Page of Testimony (displayed to the
left) submitted on 15/03/1972 by her brother Joseph Foxman. ...

Fuxman Fania
Fania Fuxman was born in Baranowice, Poland in 1913 to Aaron and
Adela. Prior to WWII she lived in Kostopol, Poland. During the war was
in Slonim, Poland. Fania perished in 1941 in Slonim, Poland. This
information is based on a Page of Testimony (displayed to the left)
submitted on 15/03/1972 by her brother Joseph Foxman. ...

Fuxman Chaim
Chaim Fuxman was born in Baranowicze, Poland in 1906 to Aaron and
Adela. He was married to Szeina. Prior to WWII he lived in
Baranowicze, Poland. During the war was in Baranowicze, Poland. Chaim
perished in 1941 in Baranowicze, Poland. This information is based on
a Page of Testimony (displayed to the left) submitted on 15/03/1972 by
his brother Joseph Foxman. ...

Stoler Sarah
Sarah Stoler nee Foxman was born in Baranowicze, Poland in 1910 to
Aaron and Adela. She was married to Menachem. Prior to WWII she lived
in Baranowicze, Poland. During the war was in Baranowicze, Poland.
Sarah perished in 1941 in Baranowicze, Poland. This information is
based on a Page of Testimony (displayed to the left) submitted on
15/03/1972 by her brother Joseph Foxman. ...
Stolar Menachm
Menachm Stolar was born in Baranowice, Poland in 1910 to Aizik. He
was married to Sarah. Prior to WWII he lived in Baranowice, Poland.
During the war was in Baranowice, Poland. Menachm perished in 1942 in
Baranowice, Poland. This information is based on a Page of Testimony
(displayed to the left) submitted on 03/05/1972 by his relative Joseph
Foxman. ...
.
Fuxman Yudel
Yudel Fuxman was born in Domanovo, Belorussia (USSR) to Moshe. Prior
to WWII he lived in Slonim, Poland. During the war was in Slonim,
Poland. Yudel perished in Slonim, Poland. This information is based on
a Page of Testimony (displayed to the left) submitted on 15/03/1972 by
Joseph Foxman

Fuxman Mashe
Mashe Fuxman was born in Kobryn, Poland to Aaron. Prior to WWII she
lived in Kobryn, Poland. During the war was in Kobryn, Poland. Mashe
perished in Kobryn, Poland. This information is based on a Page of
Testimony (displayed to the left) submitted on 15/03/1972 by Joseph
Foxman

Fuxman Aaron
Aaron Fuxman was born in Domanowo Stare, Poland. Prior to WWII he
lived in Kobryn, Poland. During the war was in Kobryn, Poland. Aaron
perished in Kobryn, Poland. This information is based on a Page of
Testimony (displayed to the left) submitted on 15/03/1972 by Joseph
Foxman
Fuxman Nechome
Nechome Fuxman was born in Kobryn, Poland to Aaron. Prior to WWII
she lived in Kobryn, Poland. During the war was in Nowogrodek, Poland.
Nechome perished in 1941 in Nowogrodek, Poland. This information is
based on a Page of Testimony (displayed to the left) submitted on
15/03/1972 by Joseph Foxman

Fuksman Pojda
Pojda Fuksman was born in Poland in 1912. She was single. Prior to
WWII she lived in Baranowicze, Poland. During the war was in
Baranowicze, Poland. Pojda perished in Baranowicze, Poland at the age
of 30. This information is based on a Page of Testimony (displayed to
the left) submitted on 24/12/1956 by her acquaintance

Nekhama nee Fuksman was born in Kobryn, Poland to Aharon and Rakhel.
She was married to Adek. During the war was in Baranowicz, Poland.
Nekhama perished in Baranowicz, Poland. This information is based on a
Page of Testimony (displayed to the left) submitted on 22/04/1999 by
her niece
Fuksman Aharon
Aharon Fuksman was born in Slonim, Poland. He was a watchmaker /
silversmith and married to Rakhel nee Tzukerman. Prior to WWII he
lived in Kobryn, Poland. During the war was in Kobryn, Poland. Aharon
perished in Kobryn, Poland. This information is based on a Page of
Testimony (displayed to the left) submitted on 22/04/1999 by his
granddaughter
Fuksman Yosef
Yosef Fuksman was born in Kobryn, Poland to Moshe and Mania. He was
a child. Prior to WWII he lived in Kobryn, Poland. During the war was
in Kobryn, Poland. Yosef perished in the Shoah. This information is
based on a Page of Testimony (displayed to the left) submitted on
22/04/1999 by his cousin. More Details...

Fuksman Rakhel
Rakhel Fuksman nee Tzukerman was born to Matatiahu and Feiga. She
was married to Aharon. Prior to WWII she lived in Kobryn, Poland.
During the war was in Kobryn, Poland. Rakhel perished in Kobryn,
Poland. This information is based on a Page of Testimony (displayed to
the left) submitted on 22/04/1999 by her granddaughter.

Fuksman Mania
Mania Fuksman was born in Poland. She was married to Moshe. Prior to
WWII she lived in Kobryn, Poland. During the war was in Kobryn,
Poland. Mania perished in the Shoah at the age of 40. This information
is based on a Page of Testimony (displayed to the left) submitted on
22/04/1999 by her niece