NEW YORK — Rabbi Shmuel Silber, who spent a formative period of his rabbinic career at Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fair Lawn, has been named executive vice president of the Orthodox Union, the organization announced Wednesday.

Rabbi Silber will take on the new role Nov. 2, succeeding Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt”l, who was niftar last Shemini Atzeres. As executive vice president, Rabbi Silber will represent the OU’s vision on Torah and public policy and provide Hashkafic and Halachic guidance within the organization and beyond.

Rabbi Silber has served for the past 23 years as rabbi of Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim in Baltimore, where he built the synagogue into one of the city’s vibrant and dynamic kehillahs. He is also founder and dean of the Institute for Jewish Continuity, which provides contemporary Torah learning with Chassidic influences for adults at all levels.

Before moving to Baltimore, Rabbi Silber served as assistant rabbi of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fair Lawn, a role that placed him under the tutelage of Rabbi Benjamin Yudin shlita, who has led Shomrei Torah for decades and remains the longest-serving rabbi in Bergen County’s history. Simultaneously, Rabbi Silber served as director of education for the Teaneck-based KOF-K Kosher Supervision under the leadership of Rabbi Dr. Zecharia Harvey Senter.

For Rabbi Silber, the Fair Lawn years were a significant part of his rabbinic development before his move to Baltimore. He received semicha from Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and holds a master’s degree in secondary Jewish education from the Azrieli Graduate School.

In the same press release, the OU announced a broader leadership restructuring. Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, currently executive vice president and chief operating officer, will become CEO and oversee the management, business strategy and professional alignment of OU programs and operations. Rabbi Moshe Elefant will continue leading OU Kosher.

The changes follow the unexpected death of Rabbi Hauer last fall. After his passing, OU President Mitchel Aeder appointed a search committee chaired by board Chairman Yehuda Neuberger to advise on the organization’s professional leadership structure and identify a successor.

“I am honored to have this opportunity at such a unique moment for our community,” Rabbi Silber said. “Rabbi Hauer, zt”l 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,” Rabbi Silber added. “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.”

“It is a privilege to assume the role of CEO at this critical juncture. Over the past six years, in partnership with OU Kosher and with the support of the community, the OU has strategically scaled its core programs, expanded the number, reach, and impact of new initiatives and developed an incredibly strong culture of professionalism,” said CEO Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph. “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.”

“The OU is in a position of tremendous strength, and as we look to the future, we want to ensure we have the structure and talent to sustain and expand our vital work. 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,” said OU President Mitchel Aeder. “Together, alongside our dedicated lay leadership, they will continue to build a unified, professional, and disciplined institution dedicated to the physical and spiritual needs of our community.”

Following Rabbi Hauer’s death, Aeder said the OU conducted an exhaustive national search and described Rabbi Silber as a “distinguished Talmid Chacham deep Torah scholarship, exceptional character, humility, and a warm, empathetic heart.”