STORRS – The University of Connecticut Hillel has announced the election of a new president and four new members to its Board of Directors. Those elected include UConn Hillel President Josh Squire (’15), and new board members Rabbi Felipe Goodman, Micah Grossman, Lawrence Handler and Avi Smith-Rappaport.

“I am proud to welcome our new board members, particularly during this auspicious year as we embark on Hillel’s 85th anniversary and rededicate ourselves to fulfilling our potential by helping others to reach theirs,” says UConn Hillel Executive Director Scott Selig. “Together, we will continue our legacy of creating strong individuals and an even stronger community. Hillel takes pride in celebrating Jewish learning and living, pursuing social justice, and enriching the lives of Jewish students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world.”

This marks the first time that a recent Hillel alumni has taken the reigns as board president. A resident of Manhattan where he serves as regional advisor for the New York area of NFTY, the youth group of the Reform movement, Squire has served as a UConn Hillel board member since 2014. As an undergraduate at UConn, Squire was an active member of the Hillel community, through which he was introduced to mentors who supported his personal and professional growth, and helped him to further develop his Jewish identity.

Felipe Goodman (’19) lives in Las Vegas where he has been the rabbi of Temple Beth Sholom for 15 years. A native of Mexico City, he is currently a member of the Executive Council of the Rabbinical Assembly and is working on the completion of his book: Torah From Sin City!

Micah Grossman (’00) is the vice president of Global Wholesale & Hospitality for the design company Jonathan Adler Enterprises, which has more than 25 retail stores worldwide. He also consults for new brands attempting to break into the apparel industry. He currently resides in Brooklyn with his wife.

Lawrence Handler, CPA, (’67) has worked with various companies including most recently Remington Products Company, L.L.C., where he was president of the Retail Division. He has held numerous board positions with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Connecticut Society of CPA’s, Connecticut Food Stores Association and The Emanuel Synagogue. He earned an MBA from New York University, where he was also honored with the Haskins & Sells Outstanding Faculty Award and served on the faculty at the University of Hartford-Barney School of Business. He is also the recipient of myriad educational awards.

Avi Smith-Rapaport (’98) is founder of We Care Computers, LLC which provides high-quality computer service to businesses throughout Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. The company was the recipient of the Avon Chamber of Commerce’s 2010 “Small Business of the Year” award. He is a member of Hartford-area chambers of commerce, the Hartford Metro Alliance and the Connecticut Better Business Bureau; and serves on the Board of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce. He resides in West Hartford with his wife, Erica, and two sons.

CAP: Josh Squire is the first UConn Hillel alum to be appointed the campus group’s president.