(President of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada, 1882-1968). A group of three Autograph Letters Signed, each written in Hebrew on letterhead, to Ben-Zion Shurin.

SILVER, ELIEZER.

Cincinnati

1941-62

Tendering good wishes on personal matters, compliments on articles published in The Forward and his opinion regarding Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. (see below).

Rabbi Silver defends President Truman and criticizes Kennedy: “A small person with an inflated ego who opposed the opinion of the Rabbis that traveled to Washington D.C. to discuss the “shechita” issue with the Senate. Most of the senators were friendly and greeted the Rabbis with honor, however, Kennedy was arrogant, ill-mannered and uncouth. I told the other rabbis that he was undoubtedly an anti-Semite. At the time I did not know that he was a rich Catholic. It is incomprehensible that Jews should support such an enemy of our people.” In an earlier letter dated 1941, Silver excuses himself for his short reply as he was busy “sending cables and telegrams concerning other issues. The matter in Washington is progressing with much difficulty.”