Scrapbook re: Rabbi Silver, his Family and Chofetz Chaim, 1963 - 1967

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Text Reads:

EVERY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1962
Cincinnati Profiles I
Rabbi Silver -- A Study in Authority and Firm Belief
By GEORGE WARTENBERG (This is the first of a series of articles of people influential in Jewish life in this area. We are trying to present to our readers profiles of a wide variety of peo-ple who have made a contribution to the lives of their fellowmen. Suggestions from our readers as to future subjects of Cincinnati Profiles will be appreciated.)

An interviewer, writing for a daily or weekly paper, often has the occasion to meet famous men of many occupations and back-grounds. Having talked to top military and political leaders, as well as scientists and philosophers, one fact always gave me trouble. I ask myself "How am I quali-fied to ask the right questions to these men of achievement and learning, and why should they bother to explain problems which are often beyond my ken?"
Understands
When talking to Rabbi Eliezer Silver, head of orthodox Jews in Cincinnati. I was faced with the same difficulty. But the Rabbi seemed to understand. Realizing my ignorance he reacted like most of the really great people I had talked to before. He was patient, he explained and he gave gen-erously of his time. After almost three hours I could see the pat-tern and the pieces came together. They are interesting and unusual indeed. The Rabbi's face tells some of the story. His steel-blue eyes and his strong facial ex-pression make you immediately think of a man much younger than the actual 82 year one sit-ting across from you and telling you that  he indeed represents Jewish authority in Cincinnati. "In which way" you ask tentative-ly, having heard of other groups on the spectrum of Jewish belief.
Responsible
A sweeping handmovement and and a flashing eye removes your doubts. "I am responsible for all Jews —I am telling them —Your influence is in your city. "You see." he says, "my father was a rabbi and a great Talmud student. I wanted to be a scholar. not necessarily a rabbi. From the early age of 11 on, my father studied with me. I never studied in a religious school. Later I went to a great Rabbi in Lithuania and asked him questions of the Tal-mud. He talked and argued; I asked and learned. I studied for 10 more years before I married and came to America. I often studied 16 hours or more each day, and always believed a rabbi must study all his life. Scholarship is his foundation." "And from scholarship springs authority," the rabbi says. "I have authority."
Firm Opinions
The Rabbi has no doubts about anything, many firm opinions about life and politics and an optimistic outlook with no if's and but's. "According to the Jewish re-ligion you must always see the good side, not the bad side," he says. "I always see the good side.
Believe In America
"I believe in America as the best country in the world and in Cincinnati as the best city." The Rabbi makes no bones about his love for his adopted country. "If anybody talks against America, he talks against me," he says. Asked about the recent prayer controversy he says with emphasis, "Government should not mix with religion in any form, manner or shape, not even to support it."
Republican
Politically the Rabbi has always been a Republican and he tells many stories of help and support he received from the late Senator Robert A. Taft. whom he con-sidered a personal friend.
Opinion on Israel
 His optimism includes Israel and its future. "I have been in Israel three times. All I saw was good. I talked Talmudic scholar-ship with its leaders and with a man at the airport where I had to wait. They are gaining more Jewish knowledge in Israel than anywhere in the whole world to-day. All official suppers and all hospital food is kosher—there is no problem. The Sabbath is kept properly—that is tight." Asked if Jews in Israel follow all these laws in their own homes, the Rabbi says, "That I am not responsible for. In their own homes they are on their own."
Own Family
All the Rabbi's own family lives in the orthodox tradition. One son is also a Rabbi, another is a local doctor. He has ten grandchildren. Another lifelong interest of Rabbi Silver is to help orthodox Jews around the world who have faced hardship because of political or religious persecution. He has spent much time and energy in collecting and distributing funds for this purpose, before, during and after World War II. "This is important," he says. "We always must help; it is our duty."
Sole Authority
Locally he is the sole authority in deciding which products are considered kosher. There have been many arguments and many wild stories of why he made this or that decision. "I know the law and I decide," he says. "That's all there is to it." Before leaving I asked what part of a rabbi's duty he con-sidered the most important, since he was involved in so many. His answer again was firm.
[Photo Caption]:  RABBI ELIEZER SILVER