Reform rabbi, Jewish leader, orator and prominent Zionist. Silver’s pro-Zionist ideas were considered  highly unusual at the Hebrew Union College at that time. He served as a congregational rabbi in Cleveland from the age of 24 until his death. Silver was a founder of the United Jewish Appeal (today the UJC) and  helped organize a German boycott after the take-over by the Nazi party . He also was one of the few who openly criticized Roosevelt’s anti-Zionist policy even during the war. After the creation of the State of Israel, he was shunted aside by Ben Gurion who resented Silver's position in fundraising and allocations.