Sylvia "Tziona" Silverman

Sylvia Zion Silverman, known as Tziona Silverman, died at age 96 in hospice care at Penn Princeton Hospital on March 18, 2026.

Born on May 11, 1929, Tziona grew up in the city of Chicago, Illinois, and was the daughter of Jenny and Sam Zion. She was the beloved wife of 70 years of Rabbi David Silverman (z"l) and devoted mother of Shira (z"l), Debora, Eve, and Ethan Silverman and their spouses/partners: Jeffrey Prager, Alan Kingsberg, and Irene Silverman. She delighted in her grandchildren and they in her: Daniel Prager, Julia Paul, Jesse Deutsch, and Noah Deutsch, and their spouses/partners Emily Prager, Stuart Paul, and Stacy Erikkson. She lived to greet three great grandchildren Abby, Sophie, and Solomon (Solly).

A talented student and athlete in her youth, Sylvia attended Chicago public schools and in junior high wrote that she aspired to be "a chemist or lab technician." Instead she excelled at the College of Jewish Studies and completed her BA and Masters in Special Education at The University of Chicago. She met the love of her long life David and they married the day after she received her Masters Degree.

Sylvia and David moved to Rabbi David's first post on his graduation to Tacoma Washington's Fort Lewis when David was drafted as a Chaplain during the Korean War. After that they settled first in Aurora Illinois, and then to Riverdale New York. Rabbi David became the Rabbi of the Conservative Synagogue in Riverdale where they raised four children while Sylvia Tziona managed the household, played an active role as Rebbetzin, and worked as a remedial reading specialist at The Fieldston School. In Riverdale Rabbi David took up a new role as professor of philosophy at The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York.

Sylvia and David moved a number of times after their children were older: to Chicago, Philadelphia, and Deal NJ. Each time Sylvia embraced her new setting, made new friends, and worked, including as Vice Principal of the Akiva Academy where her pupils included now Rabbi Andy Merow, Governor Josh Shapiro, and CNN anchor Jake Tapper.

Sylvia and David retired to Princeton Walk in South Brunswick NJ in 1995. Here for three decades Sylvia was actively involved in her new community where she and Rabbi David flourished. She participated in multiple roles and committees in The Jewish Center under Rabbis Feldman and Merow, sang in a synagogue choir, enjoyed Chavurot and Rosh Chodesh groups, took classes in Talmud and Science, and started a Yiddish group to translate literary texts in the language and culture that formed her. She was a core member of the Community Without Walls in her area. Sylvia Tziona and enjoyed convivial groups of new and long lasting Princeton friends. She was a devout Jew, and Jewish learning, music, and teaching were central to her life. The weekly arrival of Shabbat was her favorite time. She always was eager and interested in anyone she met, and she radiated connection to people of many ages.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to Rabbi Merow, to Dr. Menon and Penn hospice care, and to Tziona's caregiver and companion of three years, Lana Viglione.

Sylvia Tziona is now mourned and deeply missed. May her memory be a blessing.

Funeral services are Friday, March 20 at 11 am at The Jewish Center of Princeton, 435 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ. Burial will follow in Princeton Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to JFCS of Greater Mercer County and The Jewish Center of Princeton.