Latham Orthodontist Receives Appointment to National Heritage Preservation Commission

Latham Orthodontist Receives Appointment to National Heritage Preservation Commission

MICHAEL LOZMAN, D.D.S., of Latham has been named to the United States Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad. Dr. Lozman received his appointment on July 29 from President Joseph Biden. Dr. Lozman, an orthodontist and member of the Third District Dental Society, is president of the Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial, Inc., and has been active in the development of an educational Holocaust Memorial in the Capital District.

Dr. Michael Lozman

During the past 20 years, Dr. Lozman spearheaded an initiative to bring U.S. college students to Eastern Europe to restore Jewish cemeteries that were destroyed during the Nazi era. The sites had been left to ruin due to the absenceof Jews returning after the Holocaust. Dr. Lozman was concerned that the loss of the cemeteries would also mean the loss of Jewish heritage. He led the student groups in installing iron fences to protect and preserve the cemeteries. To date, he has led the onsite restoration and protection of 15 cemeteries: 10 in Belarus and 5 in Lithuania. Because of these activities, Congressman Paul Tonko (Dem. Albany/Schenectady) was instrumental in bringing Dr. Lozman’s efforts and commitment to the attention of the White House.

The U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad, established in 1985, is an independent governmental agency. Its 21 members are charged with identifying and reporting on cemeteries, monuments and historic buildings in Eastern and Central Europe that are associated with the heritage of U.S. citizens, particularly endangered properties. The commission works with the State Department to obtains assurances from the governments of the region that the properties will be protected and preserved.

In addition to the types of sites specified in the law, the commission also seeks the preservation of similar types of properties, including related archival material. And it encourages and facilitates private and foreign government restoration and preservation projects.

The president appoints 21 members and designates one to be chair. The law provides for seven members to be appointed in consultation with the president pro tempore of the Senate and seven in consultation with the speaker of the House of Representatives. While much of the commission’s efforts have related to properties that are important to the cultural heritage of Americans who are Jewish, the commission has also done work regarding various properties important to other cultural groups.

Dr. Lozman has an orthodontic practice in Latham with his daughter Dr. Robin Lozman. He previously served as a member of the New York State Education Department State Board for Dentistry.