Our Clergy
Jason Herman, Rabbi
Rabbi Jason Herman serves as the Mara D’atra, spiritual leader of the Hudson Yards Synagogue (HYS) (also known as Congregation Beth Israel - West Side Jewish Center) in New York City. Located in what has been dubbed New York’s next hot neighborhood and just blocks from the largest private development project in American history, the HYS is building an exciting 21st century synagogue. The HYS serves diverse communities in Chelsea, Hells Kitchen and the Hudson Yards, along with hundreds of commuters who work in the midtown area. Like the neighborhood, it is situated in, the HYS integrates a commercial and residential community and is known for being a warm and welcoming synagogue – a “synagogue with a heart in the heart of the city.”
Since coming to the HYS, Rabbi Herman has introduced numerous programs including a monthly InShabbos Dinner and Jewish Journey project where congregants get to share with their peers their personal Jewish stories. He also gives weekly classes in Chumash, Halacha, and other special lectures. HYS has also hosted events by many Jewish organizations and held its own Shabbat for a Purpose fundraising dinners for a number of causes. HYS also now hosts an annual singles weekend – “Shabbos Nachamu on the Highline.”
Rabbi Herman also serves as the Executive Director of the International Rabbinic Fellowship (www.internationalrabbinicfellowship.org), a professional organization of over 250 Orthodox Rabbis, Clergy and Spiritual Leaders across the United States and around the world. The IRF has members from Yeshiva University, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, Yeshivat Maharat and numerous other institutions of higher Jewish learning. The IRF leads the Modern Orthodox community in engaging in a more open and inclusive discourse and has been an outspoken voice on many issues confronting the Modern Orthodox community and the Jewish people. The IRF also provides support for its members active in performing conversions, and Rabbi Herman has played a critical role in working with allies in Israel to ensure the acceptance of Orthodox converts.
Rabbi Herman is the founder and president of the Israel Academic Institute, an organization seeking to promote Israeli academia in the United States with the goal of one day establishing an Israeli university outside of Israel.
Rabbi Herman has held a number of leadership positions including serving as an officer of the New York Board of Rabbis where he leads its Jewish-Muslim dialogue group. The NYBR is comprised of more than 750 members across the tri-State area spanning the denominations: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist. It maintains close relations with government officials, leadership at the United Nations, and interfaith communities including the Catholic archdiocese.
Rabbi Herman has lectured at synagogues and campuses in both the United States and Israel. He has been an advocate for Jewish and social justice causes and has advised and been involved with several Jewish organizations, including AIPAC, the American Jewish Committee, JOFA and others. He is also a former fellow at Rabbis Without Borders.
Rabbi Herman received his semicha, Rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, and is an alumnus of