Representatives of three faiths were present yesterday morning at Temple Emanu-El when the last rites for the Rev. Dr. Joseph Silverman, rabbi of the Temple for thirty-four years, and rabbi emeritus since 1922, who died Saturday, were held yesterday morning. The services were conducted by Rabbi H. G. Enelow, one of the three rabbis of the congregation, the other two, Rabbis Samuel Schulman and Nathan Krass, being abroad. Burial followed in the family plot at Salem Fields Cemetery, Long Island.
Rabbi Stephen S. Wise of the Free Synagogue delivered the eulogy. Characterizing him as “a Jew first and ever,” Rabbi Wise said that Rabbi Silverman fought and combated with native and high courage whatever seemed to threaten Judaism. “All power for Israel, that is to say, all power for righteousness, all power for service throughout his days, he remained unflagging in his zeal for that cause which was interchanged with his life,” said Dr. Wise.
HONORARY PALL-BEARERS
The honorary pall-bearers represented every organization in which Rabbi Silverman was an officer. Sidney Herman, vice-president of the congregation, Philip J. Goodhart, Ben Altheimer, Arthur Zinn, Carl Rosenberger, Roger Straus and Edward Schafer represented Temple Emanu-El. Rev. Dr. Walter Laidlaw, a Presbyterian, and the Rev. Victor G. Flynn, a Moravian, represented the Clergy Club of New York. The Good-Will Union of America was represented by George MacDonald, a Catholic layman, and the Rev. Dr. Edward L. Hunt.
Other pallbearers and the organizations they represented were: The Emanu-El Men’s Club—Milton M. Goldsmith and Melville E. Regensburg. Manhattan Washington Lodge B’nai Brith—Morris Eisenberg, A. N. Gitterman and Theodore Badman. Central Conference of American Rabbis—Joseph Stolz. Federation for the Support of Jewish Charities—Frederick Brown. District Grand Lodge No. 1 of B’nai Brith—Myron Sulzberger. The Zionist Organization of America—Louis Lipsky and Morris Rothenberg. Association of Jewish Rabbis in the Metropolitan District—Rabbi Harry Weis and Rabbi Samuel J. Levinson. The Hebrew Union College of Cincinnati, Ohio—Rabbi Jonah B. Wise.
NUMEROUS MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY
Indications of the great esteem in which Dr. Silverman was held throughout the country are seen in the numerous messages of sympathy received today by Mrs. Silverman.
Chancellor Elmer Ellsworth Brown of the New York University wrote: “The notable life work of Dr. Silverman has given him a secure place in the history of this city. New York University holds his memory as that of an adopted son, who has acquitted himself worthily in service in the community.”
The Rev. Dr. Edward L. Hunt, founder and president of the Good-Will Union of America, wrote describing Dr. Silverman as “one of New York’s best teachers and ideal citizens, whose passing is an irreparable loss in our religious and communal life.”
The Administrative Committee of the Zionist Organization of America at a meeting held yesterday afternoon, adopted the following resolution:
“The Administrative Committee of the Zionist Organization of America learns with profound sorrow of the death of Doctor Joseph Silverman, Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Emanu-El, for a number of years a member of the Executive Committee of our Organization.
WAS LEADING FIGURE IN RABBINATE
“Rabbi Silverman was during the greater part of his life a leading figure in the rabbinate of the country, devoting himself with his voice and pen to the furtherance of Judaism and the welfare of our people, with an energy that remained unabated with the passage of the years. He won for himself a high place in the history of his people in America, and the regard and affection of his fellow Jews throughout the world.
“More particularly do we desire to pay tribute to the splendid services rendered by Rabbi Silverman during the past eight years of his life to the cause of the upbuilding of Palestine. Upon his retirement from active service in the rabbinate, at a time of his life when he might have felt he had earned his rest, he gave himself anew to the study and revaluation of the cause of Zionism to which he had been for many years opposed. With fine and youthful courage he identified himself with the movement, and with energy and ardor equally youthful, threw himself in the work of raising funds and securing adherents to the Zionist cause. He did much more for Zionism during these last years than most men do in a life-time.
“In his passing has departed a loyal comrade who has made his mark in the history of American Zionism and whose absence from among us will be deeply felt and mourned.
“We extend to the family of Rabbi Silverman our profoundest sympathy sharing with them their sorrow, but also solemn pride in his character and accomplishments.”
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.
