The legacy of late U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman, vice-presidential candidate and advocate for bipartisanship and moral clarity in politics, was celebrated at an event at the Knesset in Jerusalem on Sunday night.
The special screening of the documentary film Centered: Joe Lieberman was hosted by Knesset member Ohad Tal (Religious Zionism), alongside Lieberman’s daughter, Hani Lowenstein.
Tal praised Lieberman’s unwavering commitment to alliance-building and bipartisan governance, a principle he said remains a challenge in today’s polarized political climate.
“We are fighting for the free world, and at this time when some of our best friends are not supporting Israel, we need more people with the moral clarity of Joe Lieberman,” said Tal.
A life dedicated to service and principles
Lieberman’s career in politics was marked by his ability to navigate across party lines while maintaining his core values. As a U.S. senator from Connecticut from 1989 to 2013, he played a pivotal role in American politics, co-sponsoring the Homeland Security Act and serving as chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Despite losing the Democratic primary in 2006, he won re-election to the U.S. Senate as an Independent Democrat, proving his appeal beyond partisan boundaries.
His nomination as the Democratic vice-presidential candidate alongside Al Gore in 2000 made him the first Jewish candidate on a major U.S. party’s presidential ticket. Although they won the popular vote, the election was ultimately decided in favor of the George W. Bush–Dick Cheney ticket.
Family reflections
Lieberman’s daughter shared touching memories of her father, describing him as someone who truly focused on the person in front of him.
She mentioned how, following the passing of his grandmother in 1967, he began observing Shabbat, which in later years included walking to the Capitol from his Georgetown home on Saturdays to attend sessions in the Senate.
She likened his ability to connect with leaders across different spheres to the biblical figure Joseph, saying, “My father could walk between different worlds—connecting with George Bush and the rabbi in shul.”
A film celebrating a legacy
Centered: Joe Lieberman, produced by the Hidden Light Institute, follows his journey from a young man advocating for civil rights in Mississippi to his decades-long career in American politics.
Lieberman died in New York City on March 27, 2024, aged 82, from injuries sustained at his home in Riverdale, NY.
This documentary follows Hidden Light Institute’s previous success with Upheaval: The Journey of Menachem Begin, the first English-language documentary on Begin’s life. Stephanie Strauss, Vice Chair of Hidden Light Institute, emphasized that their goal is to produce films about Jewish leaders whose values shaped Jewish and global history.
