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]

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
Mount Vernon, New York, U.S.
DiedMarch 21, 2024(2024-03-21) (aged 67)
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceBoca Raton
Alma materFlorida Atlantic University, B.A., 1980; Shepard Broad Law Center 1983, J.D., 1983
OccupationAttorney

Early life and education

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Barry Silver was born to Elaine and Samuel Silver[2] in Mount Vernon, New York, on November 18, 1956.[3][4]

Silver graduated with honors from Florida Atlantic University in 1979, and received his juris doctor from Nova University in 1983.[5][4]

Career

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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.[9][10]

Death

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Silver died from colon cancer on March 21, 2024, at the age of 67.[11][12]

Notes

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  1. ^ Carroll's State Directory. Carroll Pub. 1999.
  2. ^ a b 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 2022-08-23.
  4. ^ a b Archived Website of Representative Barry Silver
  5. ^ a b 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. 2022-06-15. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  9. ^ "Florida rabbi challenging state's abortion law files new suit with added plaintiffs, including physician". NBC News. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  10. ^ "Meet the rabbi fighting Florida's anti-abortion laws". Mic. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  11. ^ Persaud, Chris (22 March 2024). "Prominent community activist, politician and attorney Barry Silver dies at 67". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  12. ^ Nam, Sooji (March 22, 2024). "'The poet of our day': Loved ones remember life of Rabbi Barry Silver". WPBF. Archived from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.

Sources

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Political offices
Preceded by Florida House of Representatives
District 89

1996–1998
Succeeded by