Professor emeritus Laurence J. Silberstein, the inaugural Philip and Muriel Berman Professor of Jewish Studies at Lehigh University and a pioneering religion studies scholar, passed away on July 30, 2026, at the age of 89.

Silberstein joined Lehigh in 1984, where he established the university's Jewish Studies program and served as its founding Philip and Muriel Berman Professor of Jewish Studies until his retirement in 2012. During nearly three decades at Lehigh, he shaped generations of students through his teaching, scholarship and commitment to interdisciplinary inquiry.

A nationally and internationally respected scholar, Silberstein's academic career also included teaching appointments at the University of Pennsylvania, Swarthmore College, Haverford College, Princeton University and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. His scholarship explored the intersections of religion, philosophy, politics and culture. His first book, Martin Buber's Social and Religious Philosophy (1989), examined the influential philosopher's dialogical thought, while The Postzionism Debates: Knowledge and Power in Israeli Culture (1999) became a landmark work that elevated diverse and often marginalized perspectives on Zionism, democracy and Israeli society.

"Larry Silberstein was my teacher at Penn, my colleague at Lehigh for nearly three decades, and a dear friend," said Michael Raposa, E.W. Fairchild Chair in American Studies and professor of religion, culture and society. "His Lehigh legacy is truly remarkable. As the first faculty member, he played a leading role in establishing the Berman Center, two Berman Chairs in Jewish Studies and the Apter Chair in Holocaust Studies and Ethical Values,.

"But his colleagues and students will remember him best as a caring teacher and mentor, a wonderful conversation partner, and a voracious and eclectic reader of texts. I watched from my bleacher seat in the 1980s and 1990s as Larry helped to transform Jewish studies from a narrow and highly traditional discipline into an exciting, open and interdisciplinary field of inquiry. I have heard the reports of numerous younger scholars that it was his mentorship that empowered and enabled them to pursue topics of interest that previously for them had been 'out of bounds.' I arrived at Lehigh in 1985 with great excitement to join Larry as a colleague in the religion studies department, and as I approach retirement at the end of this year, he will be woven like a golden thread through many of my most precious memories of this place. Those memories are for me a great blessing."

Born and raised in Brookline, Massachusetts, Silberstein earned bachelor's and doctoral degrees from Brandeis University, as well as a Master of Arts degree and Semikhah (rabbinic ordination) from the Jewish Theological Seminary. While an undergraduate at Brandeis, he attended a Pete Seeger concert where he met fellow Brookline native and Brandeis student Muriel "Mimi" Berenson. They married two and a half years later and shared a lifelong partnership that spanned more than six decades.

Throughout his life, Silberstein sought balance between intellectual pursuits and personal well-being. He was a dedicated practitioner of Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Buddhism and mindfulness. He found joy in music, playing both the guitar and clarinet, and filled his home with song. An avid runner and cyclist for many years, he enjoyed exploring the roads and parks of Philadelphia's Main Line, the Lehigh Valley and Long Beach Island.

Above all, Silberstein was devoted to his family and maintained lasting friendships with colleagues, former students and friends around the world. He was known for his warmth, intellectual curiosity and generosity of spirit.

Silberstein was predeceased by his sister, Alma Augenblick, and his brother, Ron Silberstein. He is survived by his wife, Muriel "Mimi" Silberstein; daughters Devorah (Ken) and Rachel (Hussein); sons Uri (Jackie) and Avi (Dianela); three grandchildren, Charlie, Karim and Leo; and many extended family members, friends, colleagues and former students.

Funeral services and burial were held at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.