A gentleman and a gentle man

RABBI REUVEN TAFF

I was shocked to hear of the sudden death of a dear colleague and teacher. For nine of the 11 years Judy and I served Beth El Congregation in Phoenix, we worked hand in hand with Rabbi Herbert Silberman to instill the love of Judaism to a congregation and community. It is indeed a very sad day to think that he is no longer with us.

I saw Herb Silberman as not only a "gentleman rabbi," but more importantly, a "gentle man." He was always kind, considerate and understanding, a man who touched the souls of his congregants through his warmth, compassion and kindness.

How I marveled at his love for his family. He and his wife Temma were the ultimate couple; they were truly a team. I saw him as a devoted husband, father and grandfather. To me, he epitomizes what Harold Kushner wrote about being a mensch: "To be a mensch is to be the kind of person God had in mind when He arranged for human beings to evolve, someone who is honest, reliable, wise enough to no longer be naive, but not yet cynical, a person you can trust to give you advice for your own benefit, rather than for his or her own."

I loved to watch Rabbi Silberman dance on Simchat Torah, and how he and his Temma loved dressing up on Purim. He never took himself seriously; he was endowed with wisdom and a grace that enveloped all who were caught lovingly in his net.

I will never forget his kindness when I decided to pursue a position as a congregational rabbi. I asked him to consider writing a letter of recommendation. He was most gracious, and more complimentary than I could ever have imagined. And now, after 10 years as a rabbi of a congregation, I truly understand the challenges of leading a congregation. I gained tremendous insight from observing him in his role as rabbi and I am truly grateful for having had the opportunity to learn from him.

Maybe it was no coincidence that God took him to his final resting place on the holiday of Sukkot. I pray that his family (will) be comforted with the fact that he is now embraced by God's sukkah of shalom, God's sheltering peace. May his memory always be for us a blessing.

Reuven Taff is the rabbi and spiritual leader of Mosaic Law Congregation in Sacramento, Calif.

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