Abba Hillel Silver (1893-1963), rabbi and Zionist leader, was considered among the most prominent leaders of American Judaism.

Abba H. Silver, the son of Moses and Diana Silver, was born in Neinstadt, Lithuania, on Jan. 28, 1893. He was the fifth rabbi in his family. He emigrated with his parents to New York City in 1902. In 1915 he graduated from the University of Cincinnati and in the same year received his rabbinical degree from the Hebrew Union College there. After serving for 2 years as rabbi in Wheeling, W.Va., in 1917 he joined the Temple of Cleveland, Ohio, the largest Reform congregation in the United States. He remained its spiritual leader until his death.

During World War I Silver served with the American forces in France and was decorated for his performance by the French government as Officier de l'Instruction Publique. In addition to his activities as president of the Central Conference...