The sudden death of Dr. Abba Hillel Silver in Cleveland came as a shock to many in Israel who consider the late Zionist leader as one of the most outstanding figures in American life. At Kfar Silver, the youth village near Ashkelon, named after the American Zionist leader 110 years ago, flags were flown at half-mast. A condolence book was opened in the Village Hall, and many thousands of Israelis came to sign their names in the book. The village declared a week of mourning.
Israel’s Liberal Party held a special memorial service in honor of the late Rabbi Silver. The entire Israeli press carried long articles expressing appreciation of Dr. Silver’s career. At ZOA House, in Tel Aviv, which already had its Israeli and American flags at half-mast in tribute to the late President Kennedy, banners were lowered and then raised again to half-mast in honor of Dr. Silver. Inside ZOA House, a large portrait of Rabbi Silver was hanged, draped in black and flanked by candles.
Israel’s highest Government officials today voiced highest praises for the personality and career of Rabbi Silver. President Zalman Shazar, in a telegram to Mrs. Silver, spoke of the deceased as “this great figure in American Jewry” whom he viewed as “the most esteemed and illustrious of the spiritual and political leaders” of America’s Zionist movement.”
Messages of condolence to Mrs. Silver were also cabled by Prime Minister Levi Eshkol, Deputy Premier Abba Eban, and Moshe Sharett, chairman of the Jewish Agency who said that the World Zionist Executive “deeply laments” the passing of Dr. Silver who was “a most dynamic and powerful figure” in the world Zionist movement.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
