Morris Silverman (1894–1972) was a
Conservative rabbi
A rabbi () is a spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi – known as ''semikha'' – following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form of ...
as well as a writer.
Biography
Silverman was born on November 19, 1894 in
Newburgh,
New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
New York may also refer to:
Film and television
* '' ...
, the son of Lena (Friedland) and Simon Silverman, who were Russian Jewish immigrants.
He edited the ''High Holiday Prayer Book'', popularly known as the "Silverman
Machzor" in 1939 which became the official prayer book for
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh HaShanah ( he, רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, , literally "head of the year") is the Jewish New Year. The biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah (, , lit. "day of shouting/blasting") It is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days (, , " ...
and
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur (; he, יוֹם כִּפּוּר, , , ) is the holiest day in Judaism and Samaritanism. It occurs annually on the 10th of Tishrei, the first month of the Hebrew calendar. Primarily centered on atonement and repentance, the day's ...
for the
United Synagogue of America of the
Conservative Movement for over half a century. He published it through his publishing company, Prayer Book Press, now a subsidiary of Media Judaica.
Silverman edited th
and Festival Prayer Book'' which was the official prayer book for the Conservative movement until the late 1980s.
Silverman's primary literary output was
liturgical books, many of which he co-wrote with his son, Rabbi Hillel E. Silverman, including Siddurenu, a prayer book for school children, a prayer book for summer camps, a
haggadah for the
Passover Seder
The Passover Seder (; he, סדר פסח , 'Passover order/arrangement'; yi, סדר ) is a ritual feast at the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover. It is conducted throughout the world on the eve of the 15th day of Nisan in the Hebrew c ...
.
Silverman was the long-time Rabbi of The Emanuel Synagogue, a Conservative synagogue in
West Hartford, Connecticut
West Hartford is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States, west of downtown Hartford. The population was 64,083 at the 2020 census.
The town's popular downtown area is colloquially known as "West Hartford Center," or simply "The C ...
.
Jewish Theological Seminary: Ratner Center Papers: ''Morris Silverman (1894-1972), Papers.''
/ref>
He came from a family of clergy and writers. His wife, Althea H. (Osber), wrote many children's books and his son Rabbi Hillel continues to write Judaic books. His grandson is actor Jonathan Silverman. His great-nephew, Richard Sillman, was the youngest (among the first) cable TV directors in the United States.
Awards
Silverman was a 1953 recipient of the George Washington
George Washington (February 22, 1732, 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Continental Congress as commander of th ...
Honor Medal from Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge
The Freedoms Foundation is an American non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian educational organization, founded in 1949. The foundation is located adjacent to the Valley Forge National Historical Park, near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Bill of R ...
for Editorial.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Silverman, Morris
1894 births
1972 deaths
American Conservative rabbis
20th-century American rabbis
People from Orange County, New York