Rabbi Paul C. Silbersher Obituary (1930 - 2020)

Celebration of a Life PAUL C. SILBERSHER APRIL 23, 1930 – APRIL 26, 2020 Beloved Rabbi, Cantor, and Jewish Leader in Kansas City for 40 years SUNDAY May 23, 2021 2pm ~ Social Hall Jewish Community Center of Kansas City (JCC) 5801 W. 115th Street, Overland Park, KS 66211 Please join in celebrating your great friend and my father Paul, who passed away just as covid began, leaving us no chance for the ceremony he deserved. It is finally our time to come together and give that to him, and to each other. Please bring your thoughts, memories, ideas, humor, and prayers--as together we tell the story of Paul. For donations, it would be particularly meaningful if you could direct them to the JCC to fund a plaque and furniture setting that has been installed in his name in the main lobby. We all know Paul loved nothing more than sitting down and talking with people, so with your help this space will always bear his mark in a place he called home. Donation contact: alleyd@thejkc.org or 913-327-8001 For event details: Ricky Silbersher via silbersher@icloud.com (Nibbles & hydration provided ~ Safety protocols in place) Rabbi Paul Cyril Silbersher (90) of Overland Park, KS passed away there peacefully Sunday April 26, 2020 with family and friends surrounding him through the end. Rabbi Silbersher was born to Louis and Rose (Skolnick) Silbersher, proud and religious immigrants from Poland and Belarus who raised the family in Millburn, NJ. As soon as he could, Paul was sworn into the Navy for the Korean War and spent 8 loyal years in the Reserves. His first civilian job was as a Theater Page at NBC Studios in the early days of television. Paul’s journey began with his rare ability to touch souls; he had a profound singing voice and patient speaking style, and was a loving listener. His calling to serve Jewish life led him to Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion/School of Sacred Music, where he graduated with a BA in 1955 and also later earned a Doctor of Music Degree (Honoris Causa) in 1998. In between, he completed his Rabbinical studies at the Academy for Jewish Religion and was ordained privately as a Rabbi in 1972. Paul first entered the clergy as Cantor, Educator and Youth Director at: Temple Beth El in Stamford, CT (1957-59), The Free Synagogue of Westchester, Mount Vernon, NY (1960-66), Temple Sinai in Stamford, CT (1967-70) where he was also appointed Asst. Rabbi for Education, and finally Woodlands Community Temple in Hartsdale, NY (1971-78). Paul’s parallel love for social work took him to roles as Chaplain at the Hawthorne Cedar-Knolls & Linden Hill Schools in Hawthorne, NY (1970) where he provided Spiritual Care and Counseling for court-referred teenagers. He completed his BA in Philosophy at the New School for Social Research (1964) and an MSW in Social Work from Yeshiva University (1974). Paul was named Social Worker (1975-77) for special education students in the Stamford (CT) Public School system, and then as Headmaster of the Noroton School for Special Education in Fairfield County (CT) for impaired, delayed, and disturbed children. In 1978 he became Director of the Bridgeport Children & Youth Day Treatment (aka the Family School) for the State of CT. In 1979, Rabbi Silbersher with his family left East Coast life to accept the position as Cantor and Music Director at The Temple, Congregation B'nai Jehudah in Kansas City, MO—1900 members strong. There at the request of Sr. Rabbi Michael Zedek, he assumed full responsibilities including worship services, Torah study, Hebrew instruction, adult B'nai Mitzvah, life cycle events, hospital/home visits and shivah services. In addition, Rabbi worked with the Pre-School Director, Sisterhood & Brotherhood Presidents, Librarian, provided counseling, and represented The Temple at public events for 21 years. Paul’s quiet crown during this time was being elected as President of the American Conference of Cantors (1987-89). He also deepened his commitment to social work by establishing and supervising graduate student social work placement with the Kansas University School of Social Work. This program went on to serve the needs of Temple members and others in 32 nursing homes and 300 students in two Charter public schools. With the turn of the new century, Rabbi Silbersher pooled his experiences into creating new congregations: Kol Ami (KC) in 2003, heading as Spiritual Leader and retiring as Rabbi Emeritus in 2010; and Temple Sinai (KC), where he was the Senior Rabbi until 2013. He augmented those duties as an Adjunct Professor at St. Paul School of Theology Methodist Seminary & Baker University in Baldwin City (KS). Rabbi Silbersher was a very proud and beloved Chaplain with the Overland Park Police and Fire Department. Awards from that work included “OPPD Volunteer of the Year” (2014) and the “FBI Kansas City Academy” (2006). After a lifetime of inspiring people and building community, Rabbi turned his final attention to the creation of a Public Charter School— calling it Hope Academy—for students (aged 16-21) who had dropped out of public school in KC and who he believed deserved a second chance to complete their education, graduate with a degree, and continue to be empowered to contribute to society. Hope opened in 2016 at Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church, moved to St. Anthony’s Catholic School, and was preparing to build its own campus. Rabbi Silbersher was committed to the idea that Literacy is the road to Social Justice. He felt that Judaism calls us to see to it that those who are limited must be helped towards a genuine yearning to go beyond the bounds that contain them. Paul was also a skilled and lifelong tennis player. Raised on clay and grass courts, he played with the Junior Davis Cup team (NY, NJ) and later won many mixed doubles titles from NY to Maine with his first wife Joan, and then daughter Ricky. He became certified by the APTA and spent many summers as the Head Tennis Pro at numerous clubs in CT & NY (1965-78). He was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Rose, and his brother Marvin. Survivors include: his daughters Erica (Ricky) of Sydney, Australia, and Daniella of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; sons Mark of Bedford, NY, and Jed of Pound Ridge, NY; grandchildren Scout, Annabel, Charlotte, and J.J Silbersher; former wives, Joan Piken Silbersher of Pound Ridge, NY, Sherry Beckman, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Dr. Marjorie Kaplan of Scottsdale, AZ; sister Shirley Churgin of Pacific Palisades, CA. Rabbi Silbersher was an inspiring officiator to thousands of weddings, bris and baby namings, bar/bat mitzvahs, funerals, and other life ceremonies. His deep imprint will be felt and carried by many for years to come. In his own words: "May you always be a bearer of good news. Shalom...nothing missing...nothing broken." Burial will be at the family plot at Temple Beth Israel in Woodbridge, NJ, that due to current covid practices in NJ only allows 3 loved ones to view from their car. A memorial will be held in Kansas City on his Yahrzeit (a year from his passing) in April 2021, when all who wish to attend can celebrate together. Notification will be made public. Contributions, if wished, would be graciously valued, to Rabbi Silbersher’s beloved charities: Hadassah, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, Jewish Family Services, Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, and Overland Park Police Department.