Harold Silver was Stature Incorporated…
To me, he was a senior colleague… for the nineteen years I was privileged to be in West Hartford.
He was my first contact after it was announced that I was coming to The Emanuel. Harold wrote a letter like only he could. It was professional, but no mere formality. He could make words dance off a page. More than a gesture. Someone I would like to get to know as soon as I arrived.
He was literally a neighbor. Lived close by my synagogue. I got to share his company during his late afternoon stroll from home to Albany Avenue and back for exercise and reflection.
Who would not like to enjoy his spontaneous wisdom, laced now and then with his colorful observations?
Harold was a friend. Even more. Did not stand on ceremony. If he had advice to offer, he came right over and right to the point. That smile reinforced with his sonorous tones and chuckle, refined his pulpit, his personality, and his long and distinguished tenure.
True, Harold was a SILVER with a silver tongue. But he never took his family’s rabbinic heritage for granted. Though he was a sixth generation Silver to be ordained. He was energetic and authentic on his own.
He was not made to be a rabbi. That is not the way he looked at it. He made himself into the brand of Jewish public servant he felt appropriate to his gifts and to the stretch of time he was chosen to influence.
Harold did his work. He also cultivated private moments to keep his perspective balanced.
For ninety-two years, Rabbi Harold Silver favored us with his stature. He was good to his community, his congenial cadre, to his beloved Ruth Lee and extended family.
The Zelermyers knew his worth with that phenomenal annual speaker series he did most of the work to assemble and coordinate for four congregations each fall for enrichment and learning. All summer he labored to make West Hartford known for its repertoire of distinguished scholarly lectures.
On retirement, he wrote his perspective in book form: “I will not let you go until you bless me”.
Thanks, Harold, for all your blessings and that stature you incorporated that will surely stand the test of time.
Rabbi Gerald B. Zelermyer
Daytona Beach Shores, Florida
14 March 2017