Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky

By Anne Cohen December 20, 2013

A graduate of the former Solomon Schechter Day School in St. Louis was one of the six U.S. service members killed in a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, the St. Louis Jewish Light reported.

The crash that caused the death Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua B. Silverman, 35, is still being investigated by the U.S. Department of Defense.

According to the report, Silverman graduated from Schechter in 1990. His parents, Barry and Susie Silverman, now live in Aurora, Col., while his own address was listed as Scottsdale, Arizona. The family’s former rabbi, Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose of Congregation B’nai Amoona, told the Jewish Light that the funeral would be held in St. Louis.

“Josh was unlike any of my other friends,” Matthew Litwack, a childhood friend of Silverman’s, told the Jewish Light. “He was never concerned with what was cool. He did his own thing and people gravitated around him.”

He added: “I can never remember a time when we fought or when he was mean-spirited to anyone,” said Litwack. “Everyone liked Josh. When I posted about (what happened to) him on Facebook yesterday, no less than 100 people commented on what a terrific person he was.”

A memorial service was planned for Friday morning at the Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School in St. Louis.

I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?

Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.

I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.

The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.

That’s why I’m paying it Forward. I’ve offered a $36,000 matching gift as an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, and I hope you’ll take me up on my offer to double your gift.

Don't just read the Forward - invest in it. Will you support our work today?

— Joel Brown, Forward board chair

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$120 $180 $360 OTHER AMOUNT