Rabbi Joseph Silverman
Encyclopedia
Joseph Silverman was a leading American
Reform
rabbi
and author. He was the first American born rabbi to serve in New York City. In 1887, he married and subsequently had five children with his wife Henrietta.
He received a PhD from the Hebrew Union College in 1887; he was Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, Dallas, Texas
, September, 1884 to June, 1885; rabbi of Congregation B'nai Israel, Galveston, Texas July, 1885 to February 20, 1888. While in Texas he was a circuit preacher to the Jewish communities in the vicinity of Dallas and Galveston, and aided in organizing many Sabbath schools and congregations. He was consulting editor of the Jewish Encyclopaedia (Funk & Wagnalls). He helped organize the Religious Congress of the World's Fair in Chicago, 1893, where his address on this occasion was titled, "The Popular Errors About the Jews."
At the beginning of 1888, Silverman received an offer from Temple Emanu-El, New York
to serve as a rabbi of the leading Reform
congregation in America. Silverman started at Temple Emanu-El on March 1, 1888, succeeding rabbi Gustav Gottheil
.
During the years of his career in New York, 1888-1922 he was also president (1900–1903) of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the Eastern Council 1918- and was founder and president of the Emanu-El Brotherhood.
Silverman published many articles and books, including A Catechism on Judaism (1886) and The Renaissance of Judaism (1918). An article from the New York Times April 21, 1912, quoted Silverman at a memorial service for victims of the RMS Titanic disaster. "Not God was responsible for this great disaster but the imperfection of human knowledge and judgment."
The Pulpit and the Stage: Rabbi Joseph Silverman and the Actors' Church Alliance
American Jewish History - Volume 91, Number 1, March 2003
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Reform
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
and author. He was the first American born rabbi to serve in New York City. In 1887, he married and subsequently had five children with his wife Henrietta.
He received a PhD from the Hebrew Union College in 1887; he was Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, Dallas, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, September, 1884 to June, 1885; rabbi of Congregation B'nai Israel, Galveston, Texas July, 1885 to February 20, 1888. While in Texas he was a circuit preacher to the Jewish communities in the vicinity of Dallas and Galveston, and aided in organizing many Sabbath schools and congregations. He was consulting editor of the Jewish Encyclopaedia (Funk & Wagnalls). He helped organize the Religious Congress of the World's Fair in Chicago, 1893, where his address on this occasion was titled, "The Popular Errors About the Jews."
At the beginning of 1888, Silverman received an offer from Temple Emanu-El, New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to serve as a rabbi of the leading Reform
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
congregation in America. Silverman started at Temple Emanu-El on March 1, 1888, succeeding rabbi Gustav Gottheil
Gustav Gottheil
Gustav Gottheil was a Prussian born American rabbi. Gottheil eventually became one of the most influential, well-known and controversial Reform Jewish leaders of his time...
.
During the years of his career in New York, 1888-1922 he was also president (1900–1903) of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the Eastern Council 1918- and was founder and president of the Emanu-El Brotherhood.
Silverman published many articles and books, including A Catechism on Judaism (1886) and The Renaissance of Judaism (1918). An article from the New York Times April 21, 1912, quoted Silverman at a memorial service for victims of the RMS Titanic disaster. "Not God was responsible for this great disaster but the imperfection of human knowledge and judgment."
Article References
Nahshon, Edna.The Pulpit and the Stage: Rabbi Joseph Silverman and the Actors' Church Alliance
American Jewish History - Volume 91, Number 1, March 2003