Southern Israelite, "Rabbi Eliezer Silver Orthodox Leader, Marks 80th Birthday" article from 2/24/1961

1961

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From The Southren Israelite - Febraury 24, 1961

Rabbi Eliezer Silver Orthodox Leader, Marks 80th Birthday

Cincinnati (JTA) - The 80th birthday of Rabbi Eliezer Silver, venerable leader of Orthodox Jewry in this country was celebrated here at a dinner tendered to his honor, sponsored by a committee composed of religious and lay leaders of all groups in Jewry. The dinner was given on Feb 21. Rabbi Silver’s anniversary will also be celebrated in New York by the Histadrut Harabonim, Orthodox rabbinical body.

Rabbi Silver, who has a long and colorful career of service, came to the United States from Lithuania in 1907. He led a delegation of Orthodox rabbis in 1913 to the White House appealing to President Taft to void the American commercial treaty with Czarist Russia because of injustices to the Jews there. The treaty was abrogated by the President.

Rabbi Silver was one of the organizers, in 1915, of the Central Relief Committee to help Jews during World War I. The CBC later became a part of the Joint Distribution Committee. During World War II he helped organize the Vaad Haatzalah, a relief group of Orthodox Jews. He is the founder of Agudat Israel Organization in America.