Toby R. Silver, a longtime WSJD member, currently serves as WSJD’s program director and previously represented WSJD on the ASL Shabbat Coalition. Toby has led efforts to promote adult education about Judaism and created the very first “Cook N’ Nosh” virtual cooking series for the WSJD community.
She enjoys serving as a lay leader during WSJD’s ASL High Holiday services which helps her feel spirituality connected to her Jewish faith which she lacked growing up.
A native of Washington, D.C. who was born deaf to hearing parents, Toby grew up in a conservative household which kept kosher and observed Jewish holidays. She attended religious school and celebrated her Bas Mitzvah, both without accessibility support in a hearing Shul. As a Jewish person, she advocates accessibility in education and special programs.
Toby holds degrees from the University of MD (BA) and the University of TX (MA) in the field of Radio, Television, and Film. Her career has spanned over 45 years as an adjunct professor, director, and consultant. She is currently a Producer and Director in the Federal Government. Toby has received numerous awards for her advocacy and leadership in television access. She produced two video segments for a TV magazine-format program about Deaf survivors of the Holocaust and Jewish Deaf families celebrating Pesach.
Today Toby enjoys traveling, making contemporary quilts, reading, cooking and loves visiting animals in zoos.
