Herman "Bubba" Silberstein

Herman “Bubba” Silberstein passed away at his home early morning May 4, 2023, at the age of 86. He was predeceased by his sister Frances Evensky and his brother-in-law William “Bill” Tarnopol. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Maxine Silberstein, his children Brent and Steffani Silberstein, his sister-in-law Maureen Tarnopol, his brother-in-law Allan and Shirley Weiss, his niece Lorraine and Burt Wolf, his nephew Eddie and Vicki Denaburg, his nephew Jerry and Christine Tarnopol, his niece Marci and Glen Levin, his nephew Craig and Leslie Weiss, his nephew Brad and Sydney Weiss, and all of his grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins and close friends. Bubba was born on September 12, 1936, to parents Johanna (Sussman) and Melvin Silberstein of Dyersburg, Tennessee, where he and his late sister Frances lived for their first 9 years. After leaving Dyersburg, the family relocated to Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis gave both Bubba and Frances the chance to receive a strong frum Jewish education. The move also afforded Bubba an opportunity to build a community, where later in life he would spearhead many school reunions ensuring those connections remained. It was at the Anshei Sphard Beth-El Emeth Congregation in Memphis, where he began to understand and nurture his relationship with Judaism. This connection to Judaism, in turn, developed an indestructible bond to his late father, Melvin Silberstein, who the chapel is named after. In 1956 at age 20, a young, handsome, and stylish Bubba, arrived on the scene in Houston, Texas to begin his career in retail at Foley’s Department Store. Not only did he have an eye for fashion, Bubba also had a knack for numbers. This added to his success in serving as a retail division chairman of The United Way, while at Foley’s. After seven successful years at Foley’s, Bubba was presented with an opportunity to manage the Ladies Department at Walter Pye’s - a well-known, family-owned retail store in Houston, Texas. He loved his job and cherished his relationship with the Pye family. Bubba’s strong work ethic and precise understanding of numbers, played an integral role in the Pye Family, promoting him to an officer and partner which lasted for the next 27 years. While at Walter Pye’s, he was set up on many dates… However, one date stood out from all the rest. In early 1968, Bubba was introduced to Maxine Weiss, a senior attending The University of Houston. He was immediately enamored with Maxine and proposed to her that same year. They were married on October 27, 1968, in Galveston Texas. Over the years while being managing partner at Walter Pye’s, he continued broadening his involvement in the community. He served on the Board of Directors and as President of the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center, Chairman of the State of Israel Bonds, and Board Member of Jewish Federation of Greater Houston. He also served on numerous fundraising committees throughout Houston, on a pro bono basis, generously lending his experience to their non-profit fundraising campaigns. In 1991, Bubba returned to school, signing up for continuing education Business courses, with a focus in Fundraising, at Rice University. By 1993, Bubba left his long-time career and partnership in retail to pursue his second passion in non-profit fundraising. And by 1994, age 58, he established his own fundraising consulting firm in Houston, The Silberstein Group. His strong personal and business relationships made this career move into fundraising consultant successful and rewarding, while continuing to help others reach their goals. Throughout his years in Houston, he continued his Jewish studies and prayer participation as an active member of Congregation Beth Yeshurun, where he participated in a variety of roles with the JB Greenfield Chapel. In the Chapel, Bubba served as an assistant Gabbai, and whenever invited or asked to lead service, he was ready and honored to do so. Never losing ties to his religious upbringing, later in life he would often divide his time between the JB Greenfield Chapel, United Orthodox and Aishel House on the Sabbath and holidays. Bubba was a true mensch. An incredibly kindhearted individual who cared deeply about family, friends, and community. He never missed an opportunity to arrange family reunions, in St. Louis, for all his cousins. Bubba was the last survivor of his 16 first cousins. He made it a mission to ensure the surviving members, of his family, knew of each other and will carry on with these Family Reunions for decades to follow. May his memory be a blessing. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Bubba can be made to the following organizations: Aishel House 1955 University Boulevard Houston, Texas 77030 AishelHouse.org JB Greenfield Chapel at Beth Yeshurun 4525 Beechnut Houston, Texas 77096 Bethyeshurun.org Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center 5601 S. Braeswood Boulevard Houston, Texas 77096 Erjcchouston.org There was a Cemetery Chapel Service at 3:00 pm on Sunday, May 7, 2023 in The Bender Memorial Chapel at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery, 7445 Awty School Rd., Houston, Texas, 77055. The service will be livestreamed at https://venue.streamspot.com/f8d04b5b

Herman "Bubba" Silberstein

September 12, 1936 - May 4, 2023