Mrs. Judy Silber, a founding member of the Chabad community in Chicago, passed away on Shabbos, 28 Teves, 5783.
She was 88.
Born in Budapest in 1934, she was one of four children of Rabbi Chananya Y”T Lipa and Lea Steinmentz Z”L. She and her family merited to be the Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s neighbors in Paris in 1938-39 as they were preparing to escape from Europe.
The family settled in the Dominican Republic, where they strengthened Yiddishkeit in the Caribbean during the war years while continuing correspondence with the Frierdike Rebbe and the Rebbe from whom they received brachos and guidance for their important shlichus.
After moving to Caracas in 1945, Mrs. Silber went in 1947 to attend Bais Yaakov in Williamsburg and rejoined her family in Chicago in 1948. Her brother R’ Efry Steinmetz, A”H, remained in Caracas to further build the community and establich Chabad institutions there.
In 1953, she married her husband of 69 years, Chazzan Efraim Silber. Not long after, the couple met Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Hecht z”l, the shliach to Chicago sent by the Frierdike Rebbe in 1942. Through Rabbi Hecht, they became one of the founding families of the current Lubavitch community in Chicago.
Mrs. Silber used her writing and organizational talents for N’Shei Chabad, F.R.E.E., and other Chabad Institutions. She was known in the city for her talent in helping expecting mothers and was present for the births of many children in the community. In addition, she was a member of the Chicago Chevra Kadisha for many years.
Known for her kindness and grace and for always greeting people with a smile and a kind word. She will be sorely missed.
She is survived by her husband Chazzan Ephraim Silber, daughter Dina Chaviv, Yerushalayim, daughter Brookie Silber, Monsey, NY and son Mayer Silber, Chicago, IL and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Levaya in Eretz Yisroel Tuesday at 7:15 PM at Shamgar, followed by Kevurah at Har Hazeisim
There will be a service tomorrow 10:00 AM at Chicago Jewish Funerals. Chazzan Silber, Brookie and Mayer will be sitting Shiva in Chicago starting Monday afternoon IYH.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
So so so very sorry to hear of Mrs. Silber’s passing. May her Neshoma have an aliya and immediate yerida which will be the ULTIMATE aliyah!!!
Hamakom Yinachem Eschem Bsoich Shaar Aveilei Tzion V’Yerushalaim!