Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 27, 2026

Barry Silver

Rabbi Barry Silver was an American attorney and politician in Florida who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives.

Last revised
Jul 27, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
492 w
Citations
16
Source
Barry Silver
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 89th district
In office
November 5, 1996 – November 3, 1998
Preceded byRon Klein
Succeeded byCurt Levine
Personal details
Born(1956-11-18)November 18, 1956
DiedMarch 21, 2024(2024-03-21) (aged 67)
PartyDemocratic
Alma materFlorida Atlantic University, B.A., 1980; Shepard Broad Law Center 1983, J.D., 1983
OccupationAttorney

Rabbi Barry Silver (November 18, 1956 – March 21, 2024) was an American attorney and politician in Florida who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives.1

Early life and education

Barry Silver was born to Elaine and Samuel Silver2 in Mount Vernon, New York, on November 18, 1956.34

Silver graduated with honors from Florida Atlantic University in 1979, and received his juris doctor from Nova University in 1983.54

Career

Silver was granted admission to The Florida Bar in 1983.5

Silver came in first in the primary election held on September 2, 1996, to replace Ron Klein in Florida House of Representatives District 89.6 In October, Silver won the Democratic nomination for the runoff election over Glenn Wichinsky. Because there was no Republican opposition,2 by winning the runoff, Silver essentially won the District 89 Seat.7

In June 2022, Silver filed a lawsuit against a Florida law banning abortions after 15 weeks, on the grounds that the law infringed on the constitution's right to freedom of religion, among other legal entitlements.8

Silver led Congregation L'Dor Va-Dor in Palm Beach County from 1996, where he championed the cause of "Cosmic Judaism", a hyperrationalist, post-denominational approach to Jewish life and practice that emphasized the integration of science and religion, among other values.91011

Death

Silver died from colon cancer on March 21, 2024, at the age of 67.1213

Notes

Notes

  1. Carroll's State Directory. Carroll Pub. 1999.
  2. Miller, Kimberly (October 2, 1996), Silver streaks to Victory, Boca Raton, Florida: Boca Raton News
  3. Sun-Sentinel, South Florida. "Going beyond the law". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  4. Archived Website of Representative Barry Silver
  5. The Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, Incorporated. 2001. ISBN 978-1-56160-439-5.
  6. Gold, Scott (September 4, 1996), Silver, Wichinsky Head Toward Runoff In House District 89 Race, Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
  7. Fields, Robin (October 2, 1996), Boca's Silver Wins House District 89 Seat, Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
  8. "Rabbi Barry Silver explains impetus for abortion lawsuit against state of Florida". WPTV. June 15, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  9. "Florida rabbi challenging state's abortion law files new suit with added plaintiffs, including physician". NBC News. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  10. "Meet the rabbi fighting Florida's anti-abortion laws". Mic. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  11. "Cosmic Judaism". Rabbi Barry Silver. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  12. Persaud, Chris (March 22, 2024). "Prominent community activist, politician and attorney Barry Silver dies at 67". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  13. Nam, Sooji (March 22, 2024). "'The poet of our day': Loved ones remember life of Rabbi Barry Silver". WPBF. Retrieved March 23, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
Sources

Sources

External links