Young Israel of Woodmere Rabbi Hershel Billet named to U.S. commission by Sen. Charles Schumer

Rabbi Hershel Billet, the spiritual leader of Young Israel of Woodmere, the largest Jewish Orthodox congregation on the South Shore, was appointed to the United States Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY).

The Commission’s goal is to protect .cemeteries, monuments and historic buildings associated With U.S. citizens in Eastern and Central Europe.

“For more than three decades, Rabbi Billet has been a pillar of the Jewish community in New York and is known for his steadfast spiritual leadership among both his congregants and peers,” Schumer stated in a news release. “Because of his moral values, knowledge and commitment to people of all backgrounds, I am confident that Rabbi Billet is an exceptional choice to serve on the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad.”

Billet has served as rabbi of Young Israel of Woodmere for more than three decades. He has also served as president of the Rabbinical Council of America. The native New Yorker was educated and ordained at Rabbi Issac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University.

“The USA is made up of citizens who represent a melting pot of people from different ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds,” Billet stated in the release. “We are all united as Americans but we are also all unique because of our diversity. We must never forget from where each of us has come. I am grateful to Senator Schumer for giving me this opportunity.”

The independent Commission has 21 members and two core missions: to identify and report on cemeteries, monuments and historic buildings in Eastern and Central Europe that are related with the heritage of U.S. citizens, particularly endangered properties; and to obtain, in cooperation with the Department of State, assurances from the governments of the region that the properties will be protected and preserved.