The Orthodox Union has appointed Rabbi Shmuel Silber as its new Executive Vice President, succeeding Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt”l, who passed away unexpectedly last Shemini Atzeret.
The appointment was approved Tuesday by the OU Board of Directors following an extensive national search led by a committee chaired by OU Board Chairman Yehuda Neuberger, according to an announcement from OU President Mitch Aeder.
Rabbi Silber, who will formally assume the position on November 2, has served for the past 23 years as rabbi of Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim in Baltimore, where he built the congregation into a prominent and vibrant Orthodox community.
He is also the founder and dean of the Institute for Jewish Continuity, which provides Torah learning for adults incorporating Chassidic teachings, and serves as the founding rabbi of the Berger Towers community in the Katamonim neighborhood of Jerusalem.
Rabbi Silber received semicha from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University and holds a master’s degree in secondary Jewish education from the Azrieli Graduate School.
Aeder described Rabbi Silber as an “exceptional leader and distinguished talmid chacham,” highlighting his Torah scholarship, character, humility and empathy.
As Executive Vice President, Rabbi Silber will serve as a leading voice for the OU’s Torah vision, representing the organization on religious and public-policy matters while providing hashkafic and halachic guidance to OU programs and the broader community.
The appointment comes alongside a significant restructuring of the OU’s professional leadership.
Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, who currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will become the organization’s Chief Executive Officer. In that position, Joseph will take primary responsibility for the management, business strategy and professional alignment of the OU’s programs and operations.
Rabbi Silber and Rabbi Joseph will both report directly to the OU Executive Committee.
Joseph has spent six years at the OU and has played a central role in the expansion of its programs and organizational infrastructure.
“Josh has helped drive extraordinary organizational growth, expanding the number, reach, and impact of our programs and initiatives while building an increasingly strong culture of professionalism throughout the organization,” Aeder said.
Rabbi Moshe Elefant will remain CEO of OU Kosher and continue overseeing the organization’s worldwide kashrus operations.
The leadership changes follow the sudden passing of Rabbi Hauer, who served as the OU’s Executive Vice President and was one of the Orthodox community’s prominent rabbinic and communal voices.
Aeder said the search focused on finding a leader capable of continuing the spiritual guidance and public advocacy that had become central to the position.
“With Rabbi Silber joining us as EVP on November 2nd, Josh assuming the role of CEO, and Rabbi Elefant continuing his leadership of OU Kosher, we have exceptional leaders with complementary strengths and a strong professional foundation from which to sustain and expand our vital work,” Aeder said.
The new structure divides the OU’s senior professional leadership between Rabbi Silber’s Torah, religious and public-facing responsibilities and Rabbi Joseph’s oversight of organizational management and strategy.
Aeder said he believes the new leadership team will position the Orthodox Union to continue expanding its work while maintaining its commitment to Torah, Klal Yisrael and strengthening Jewish communities.
