Barry Silver

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 by	Ron Klein
Succeeded by	Curt Levine
Personal details
Born	(1956-11-18)November 18, 1956 Mount Vernon, New York, U.S.
Died	March 21, 2024(2024-03-21) (aged 67)
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Boca Raton
Alma mater	Florida Atlantic University, B.A., 1980; Shepard Broad Law Center 1983, J.D., 1983
Occupation	Attorney

Early life and education

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

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

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

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 2022-08-23.
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. 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

• Florida House of Representatives archived Profile

External links

• Website of Representative Barry Silver

Political offices
Preceded by Ron Klein	Florida House of Representatives District 89 1996–1998	Succeeded by Curt Levine