Agudath Israel of America executive vice president Rabbi David Zwiebel issued the following statement upon the passing of Senator Edward M. (Ted) Kennedy of Massachusetts:

“It is appropriate for us, upon Senator Kennedy’s passing, to take note of some of his important accomplishments on behalf of the Jewish community, both here in the United States and across the globe.

“Senator Kennedy was a strong supporter of the State and People of Israel. He also played a meaningful role in advocating for the rights of Soviet Jewry and other Jews in lands of oppression throughout the world.  Senator Kennedy was one of his generation’s most powerful and eloquent voices against global anti-Semitism.

“On the domestic front, Senator Kennedy was a great champion of religious freedom, and worked closely with the Jewish community to promote religious liberty. He also cared deeply about the needs of needy Americans; many Jewish people on the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum benefited greatly from his strong leadership in this area.

“While Agudath Israel did not always see eye-to-eye with Senator Kennedy on certain social issues, we always enjoyed a respectful and productive working relationship. In particular, the Senator’s relationship with the late president of Agudath Israel, Rabbi Moshe Sherer z”l, was warm and deep. Senator Kennedy was a frequent guest at Agudath Israel functions, both in Washington D.C. and New York, and he undertook a number of initiatives at the behest of Rabbi Sherer on behalf of Soviet Jewry and needy Jews here in America.

“We offer our most sincere condolences to Senator Kennedy’s family. He will be missed.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)