Coalition for Jewish Values, representing over 2,500 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in American public policy, mourns the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham, a steadfast friend of Israel and the Jewish people, whose moral clarity and courage distinguished his decades of public service. He confronted antisemitism, defended religious liberty, and treated Jewish concerns with seriousness and respect.
Senator Graham understood that America’s bond with Israel is rooted not only in strategic partnership but in shared moral purpose. He championed Israel’s security with unwavering resolve, strengthened U.S.–Israel defense cooperation, and stood firmly against efforts to delegitimize the Jewish state. His voice was consistent, principled, and deeply informed by an appreciation of Jewish history and its role in providing the ethical foundations of American and Western civilization.
For the Orthodox Jewish community, his advocacy was felt in practical ways: in his support for conscience protections, his insistence on America’s responsibility to oppose hatred, and his recognition of Israel as the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people. He understood that defending Israel and defending religious liberty were inseparable from defending the values that make America strong.
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He was a co‑sponsor of the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), a major federal school‑choice bill that will advance access to private and parochial education for families of all faiths and none across the country. This, like his annual sponsorship of the Senate resolution designating Religious Education Week reflected his belief that faith, learning, and moral formation are essential to a healthy society — a conviction that resonated strongly with America’s Jewish communities and with all who value religious freedom.
His passing leaves a void in American public life. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and all who were touched by his service. May he be an example and inspiration for future leaders to stand with the same courage for Israel’s security, Jewish dignity, and America’s moral commitments.
Photo credit: Lindsey Graham by Gage Skidmore on Flickr with CC BY-SA 2.0 license.