The Orthodox Union announced today that Rabbi Shmuel Silber has been appointed executive vice president, succeeding Rabbi Moshe Hauer who passed away last October.
Rabbi Silber, who leads Suburban Orthodox Congregation in Baltimore, will take on the role during the upcoming High Holidays. He will officially assume his position on November 2.
A Restructured Leadership
The appointment marks the completion of a leadership transition that began nearly a year ago. Rabbi Josh Joseph, who had jointly served with Hauer as executive vice president and as chief operating officer, will now assume the newly created role of chief executive officer. Both Silber and Joseph will report directly to the OU's executive committee rather than to each other.
Under the new structure, Silber will focus on rabbinic and public-advocacy work, while Joseph will oversee organizational growth and management across the OU's operations.
Silber's Background
Silber has served as rabbi of Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim in Baltimore for 23 years, building it into one of the city's most vibrant communities. He is also the founder and dean of the Institute for Jewish Continuity, which provides adult Torah study with Hasidic influences.
In Jerusalem, Silber serves as founding rabbi of the Berger Towers community in the Katamonim neighborhood, overseeing its rabbinic leadership and direction. He received his rabbinic ordination 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.
The Hauer Legacy
Rabbi Moshe Hauer, who led the OU since May 2020, died suddenly of a heart attack at 60 on October 14, 2025. During his tenure, Hauer guided the organization through unprecedented global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of October 7, testifying before Congress on campus antisemitism and advocating for Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
