Hazzan David Silverstein is the founding spiritual leader of progressive Congregation Israel of San Antonio. He served previously at Congregation Agudas Achim for five years where he assumed the dual portfolio of the rabbi and cantor during her two successive searches for a rabbi. Silverstein was called upon to help create a new Reform congregation, Temple Chai as its Spiritual Leader during its startup year in 2005. Before moving to Texas from his native Los Angeles, he served the prestigious Sinai Temple, Los Angeles in a multi-faceted clergy and administrative capacity following service to Adat Ari El, North Hollywood.

Hazzan Silverstein was graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles with a Major in Political Science and a Minor in Music. He earned the degree of Juris Doctor from the University of West Los Angeles, School of Law. He received his certification and commission (ordination) as a Hazzan-Minister from the Cantors Assembly of the Jewish Theological Seminary and undertook course work in the graduate Masters Rabbinic literature studies program at the University of Judaism. Hazzan Silverstein is certificated in Mid-Level Management from the University of Southern California, School of Social Work. He prepared for the Chaplaincy at the San Antonio Ecumenical Center for Religion and Health, and is a member of The National Association of Jewish Chaplains, and the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education. He was a member of the National Association of Temple Administrators (Reform), and the National Association of Synagogue Administrators and Executives (Conservative). Silverstein is listed in “Who‟s Who in America, Who‟s Who in Religion” 4th Edition 1992.
 

A lyric tenor, Silverstein has concertized extensively in the United States and Israel. Silverstein has appeared on local and national television, notably NBC Today with Bryant Gumpel and Katherine Couric, and affiliate KNBC singing music of the Jewish liturgical year. Hazzan Silverstein appears on two Compact disc albums of original music of Rabbi Moshe J. Rothblum with production credits. Silverstein produced seven visits of the Japanese Makhelat Hashachar--the Beit Shalom Christian Friends of Israel Chorus. He was the director of the staged event “Liberation: A Choral Symphony‟ at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Los Angeles Music Center. Silverstein produced „A Morning with His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama” held at Sinai Temple, Los Angeles, where he and his family served as personal escort of the Tibetan leader. He has participated in a variety of diversified community musical events in San Antonio, Texas including the San Antonio Mastersingers and the San Antonio Opera.

 

Hazzan Silverstein is a member of the International Cantors Assembly. He carried the national convention Chairman‟s portfolio and served as a member of its National Executive Council and Chairman of the Western States Region. He is an applicant for membership in the American Conference of Cantors (ACC, Reform). He is a member of Liberal Arts, Home Lodge and Albert Pike Lodge Free and Accepted Masons, and the Scottish Rite of Los Angeles and San Antonio.

 

Silverstein is a regular presenter on the Oblate Theological Seminary World Interfaith Panel and has been featured by the Mashjid Bilal Mosque. He had been seated on the San Antonio Committee for the Advancement in Jewish Education of the Jewish Federation, and served on the Mayoral Commission for a United San Antonio following the events of 911. He enjoys golf, competitive road biking, jogging, sailing, swimming, and a good sauna as part of his regular personal health regimen.