The Irving I. Silverman Prize for Excellence
The Irving I. Silverman Prize for Excellence was created in 2007 and is awarded to an outstanding Judaic Studies' graduating senior (major or minor).
Applicants are nominated by Judaic Studies faculty members and selected by a review committee.
The Silverman Prize is a one time award ranging from $500 - $1,000. Winners are announced at the Judaic Studies graduation reception.
The Arizona Center for Judaic Studies has been fortunate to be able to count Irving Silverman as a friend and supporter of our students here at The University of Arizona.
About Irving I. Silverman
Irving I. Silverman (z"l) described himself as an "old young philanthropist who has lived an active, purposeful life."
He was a retired writer, Advertising Executive, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
The son of poor, Polish immigrant parents, Irving learned about philanthropy as a young child. "My mother taught me, at the age of six, to put coins in the six Pushkha boxes on the mantelpiece."
Since his retirement to Tucson in 1979, he continued his commitment to philanthropy and charitable causes, both religious and secular.
In 2005 he took his first trip to Poland to see Tykocin, a former shtetl near Bialystok and home to Silverman's parents before they immigrated to the United States in 1908.
"I'm not a survivor, but I feel I'm representing all the dead members of my family who could never do this," he said. "Every Jew has to do this."
Mr. Silverman passed away on August 5, 2023 at the age of 103.