One of the central and most influential bodies in American Orthodox Judaism is changing its leadership structure following the death of Rabbi Moshe Hauer. The OU (Orthodox Union, the umbrella body for Orthodox Jewish communities in America) announced the appointment of Rabbi Shmuel Silber as senior vice president of the organization and, at the same time, the appointment of Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph as CEO. The two will lead the organization together, under a new division of roles between religious and public leadership on one side and professional management on the other.
Rabbi Silber will begin his role in the Hebrew month of Cheshvan (October-November) and will take over from Rabbi Hauer, who served as senior vice president since January 2020 and died on Shemini Atzeret (a Jewish holiday). In his role, Silber will be responsible for representing the OU's vision xe Torah and public policy matters, as well as providing ideological guidance within the organization and beyond.
At the same time, Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, who currently serves as senior vice president and chief operating officer of the organization, will assume the role of CEO and be responsible for managing all of the OU's programs, activities, business strategy, and professional operations. Silber and Joseph will report directly to the organization's executive committee.
Video: Rabbi Moshe Hauer speaks about rising antisemitism. Credit: The Orthodox Union, Fox News
The change in the OU's leadership comes after a significant loss for the organization and the Orthodox community in the United States. Rabbi Hauer was in recent years one of the most prominent public voices of American Orthodoxy and led the organization through periods of deep upheaval, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the October 7 attack and the war in Israel.
During his tenure, Hauer was also directly involved in the American public and political arena. He testified before Congress on issues of antisemitism on campuses and worked in Washington on behalf of Israel and the hostages. Among other things, the OU led the delivery of 180,000 letters to the White House calling for action on behalf of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
A new model
Following his death, OU President Mitchel Aeder appointed a search committee headed by Board Chairman Yehuda Neuberger, tasked with examining both who would succeed Hauer and the structure of the organization's professional leadership. The result is a new leadership model, in which Silber will lead the Torah and public affairs, while Joseph will head professional and organizational management.
Rabbi Silber comes to the role after 23 years as rabbi of the Suburban Orthodox Toras Chaim community in Baltimore, which he built into one of the city's most prominent communities. Alongside this, he is the founder and dean of the Institute for Jewish Continuity (IJC), which focuses on adult Torah study, and he is the founding rabbi of the Berger Towers community in the Katamonim neighborhood of Jerusalem.
Silber was ordained at Yeshiva University's Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan Theological Seminary and holds a master's degree in secondary Jewish education from the Azrieli Graduate School.
"I am honored to have this opportunity at such a unique moment for our community," Rabbi Silber said. "Rabbi Hauer was a friend and a mentor, and I feel privileged to continue his holy work. Torah and Jewish life are thriving, yet we face difficult communal challenges."
According to him, he also wants to focus on strengthening the unity and religious life of the community: "My sincere desire is to help create bonds of unity and continue elevating the holiness and religious experience of our community in the US and Israel. I look forward to partnering with Rabbi Dr. Joseph, our President Mitchel Aeder, and the entire OU family to serve the needs of the Jewish people."
Building toward the coming years
Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, who will take on the role of CEO, is completing six years in the OU's leadership. During this period, according to the organization, he led significant growth in core programs, new initiatives, and the building of the organization's professional infrastructure.
"It is a privilege to assume the role of CEO at this critical juncture," Rabbi Joseph said. "I am excited to welcome my friend Rabbi Silber to the leadership of the OU as we continue to encourage more Jews to grow closer to Hashem and build sustainable pathways for individual and communal growth across the Jewish world."
No change is expected in the organization's kosher certification division as a result of the new structure. Rabbi Moshe Elefant will continue to head OU Kosher, after being named CEO of the kosher division on July 1, taking over from Rabbi Menachem Genack.
OU President Mitchel Aeder said the new leadership structure is meant to prepare the organization for the coming years. In Rabbi Shmuel Silber and Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, we are blessed with two world-class leaders who bring complementary strengths to their respective roles." According to him, . "Rabbi Shmuel Silber is a distinguished talmid chacham who possesses the rare combination of deep Torah scholarship, exceptional character, humility, and a warm, empathetic heart. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Orthodox Union as our EVP and are excited about the extraordinary potential of his partnership with Rabbi Dr. Joseph."
400 communities since 1898
The OU, founded in 1898, is one of the oldest and largest umbrella organizations of Orthodox Judaism in the United States, and its network of synagogues includes more than 400 communities. Alongside its international kosher certification division, it runs a series of educational and community programs, including NCSY, Birthright Israel Free Spirit, the Yachad organization and OU Press, and it is also active in public policy at the state and federal levels.
In Israel, the organization has operated for about 50 years under the leadership of Rabbi Avi Berman. Its activity in Israel focuses, among other things, on work with at-risk youth and assistance in absorbing English-speaking olim, including community and social support for families and lone soldiers.
The current move marks for the OU not only the appointment of a successor to Rabbi Hauer, but a rebuilding of the top leadership after a turbulent period, in an effort to preserve the Torah-based and public direction it followed while also strengthening the organization's professional management in the coming years.
