Top American Jewish lawyer Arnold Forster dies at 97

Arnold Forster, an Anti-Defamation League (ADL) legal attorney, and one of the first United States Jewish leaders to publicly advocate for Israel, died on Sunday night at the age of 97.

Forster had a professional career of over 60-years, during which he was "a fighter against anti-Semitism and extremism and advocated for civil rights and the State of Israel," the ADL said in an obituary released on Monday.

"His active concern with bigotry came about because of American hate-mongers who were goaded and often financed by Nazis abroad," the statement continued.

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, wrote in an official announcement that "in many ways Arnold Forster was the personification of ADL, a man who was as much defined by his work as the League itself was shaped and transformed by his inspirational leadership and keen insight."

"Combating anti-Semitism became his life's work, and his approach was to take the fight both into the courtroom and directly before the public by shining the light of day on the bigots and their actions," Foxman added.

Over the years, Forster was very involved in telling Israel's story, ranging from the radio analysis series Report From Israel, which he wrote following his frequent trips to the Middle Eastern country, to a TV series "Dateline Israel," followed by his prize winning documentary "Avenue of the Just," for which he won the Emmy in 1980.

He is survived by his daughter, Janie Forster Berman, and four grandchildren. His wife, May, passed away in 2005. His son, Stuart, a physician, passed away in 1991.