On March 9, the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix will award Bob Silver the 2016 Medal of Honor in recognition of his exceptional leadership and ongoing dedication to the Jewish community.
An Arizona native, Bob was raised in Phoenix. When he was growing up, his parents, Judy and Warren Silver, were very involved in both the Jewish and broader Phoenix communities, which informed his own commitment. “I just always viewed it as a continuation of the work that they started.”
Bob’s leadership roles began with the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center. As board chair he was instrumental in moving The J to the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus in 2002 and he organized and directed the launch of The J in its new building. He currently serves as vice-chair of The J.
Bob and his wife Sara own Silverware, a software consulting company that provides business systems for mid-market companies. They have two sons who are in their early 20s.
In 2006 Bob co-chaired the JCC Maccabi games in Phoenix. “It was a tremendous event and really rallied the community around,” he says. “It was great fun and a great deal of pride to be part of that. We had so many people participating, pitching in and helping out. It was a nice event for the community.”
As federation board chair in 2010, Bob steered the organization through a financial crisis that rocked the nonprofit world. “During the difficult times of the recession, Bob put his life on hold for a year or two to keep things going in every aspect of the federation,” says JFGP President and CEO Stuart Wachs. “With blood, sweat and tears he kept the fabric of the federation going and made sure that meaningful funds kept going out to the community. He did it all for one reason – because of his deep care and commitment to the Jewish community.”
Bob was among the leaders who helped restructure the JFGP and The J, bringing both under the umbrella of the Jewish Community Association. It’s his goal to ensure a vibrant, cohesive Jewish community, with strong Jewish organizations and synagogues.
Bob’s impact stretches beyond the Jewish community. He serves on the board of the Arizona Foundation for the Handicapped, which provides services for adults and children with developmental disabilities.
His vision for the future is to stay involved so that he can aid the next generational change in leadership. “I hope to be there to help the next generation implement their vision,” he says.
“I’m just doing what my parents taught me and following the example they set for me,” says Bob. “And, hopefully, I’m setting an example for my kids.”
Click here for more information about the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix’s 75th Anniversary Kickoff & Awards Celebration.
