UConn Hillel: 2018 New Board Members

The University of Connecticut Hillel announces the election of a new Board President and four new members to its Board of Directors. The new board members are President, Josh Squire, Rabbi Felipe Goodman, Micah Grossman, Lawrence Handler and Avi Smith-Rappaport.

Executive Director of UCONN Hillel, Scott Selig, says, “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. 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. Josh Squire’s appointment has special significance because of Hillel’s role in shaping philanthropic-oriented Jewish leaders who play a key role in supporting and shaping the Jewish community.

Josh Squire, Board President, resides in Manhattan where he serves as Regional Advisor for NFTY New York Area Region. He has served as a board member since 2014. Josh attended UCONN and was an active member of the Hillel community which introduced him to mentors who supported his personal and professional growth, and helped him to further develop his Jewish identity. Hillel was the nidus for his passion for building Jewish community and leadership development.

Felipe Goodman lives in Las Vegas where he has been the rabbi of Conservative Congregation, Temple Beth Sholom, for 15 years. A native of Mexico City, Felipe grew up as an ardent Zionist and an active Jewish student leader. 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 is the Vice President of Global Wholesale & Hospitality for the design company Jonathan Adler Enterprises, which has over 25 retail stores worldwide and is sold in thousands of stores globally. During his 16-year career, Micah has lead growth at such companies as Theory, Vince, and Jack Spade. In addition to his role at Jonathan Adler, he consults for new brands looking to break into the apparel industry. Micah received his BA from the University of Connecticut. He was born in Germany, and later lived in Los Angeles. He presently resides in Brooklyn with his wife.

Lawrence Handler, CPA, has worked with various companies including Arthur Andersen & Co., Dairy Mart Convenience Stores, Inc. and 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 Emanuel Synagogue. Lawrence has 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 has won myriad educational awards, such as the School of Business Hall of Fame, the Beta Gamma Sigma National Business Honor Society and the Business Law Award

Avi Smith-Rapaport is the 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. Avi is an active local business owner who sponsors charity events with organizations including FoodShare and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. He is also a member of Hartford-area chambers of commerce, the Hartford Metro Alliance and the Connecticut Better Business Bureau. Avi serves on the Board of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce. He graduated from the UCONN with a degree in international business management. He resides in West Hartford with his wife Erica, and sons Samm and Maxx.

Perry Trachten is a landscape architectural designer for major civil engineer firm, Bohler Engineering in Boston and is a 2017 graduate of UCONN’s School of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources. His grandfather, Morris Trachten, played a major role in the founding of UCONN Hillel.

UCONN Hillel’s 2018 Board of Directors includes:

EXECUTIVE BOARD

• PRESIDENT, Joshua Squire '15
• TREASURER, Lori Baden '89, P'18
• SECRETARY, Robin Block-Schwartz '98
• Erica Bloch P'17
• Robert Gold '80
• Rabbi Felipe Goodman P'19
• Micah Grossman '00
• Lawrence Handler '67
• Adam Markman '11, '13
• Jeff Ment '89, P'18
• Benzi Miller '14
• Henry Mondschein '85
• Lauren Simon '15
• Avi Smith-Rapaport '98
• Perry Trachten '17
• Shari Cantor '81, P'15
• Pam Ehrenkranz P'08
• Jay Gershman '82, MBA '87, P'18
• Linda Levine
• Mort Lowenthal
• Lauri Miller
• Samuel L. Schrager
• Henry M. Zachs
• Matt Calbo '19

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ADVISORY BOARD

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

About UCONN Hillel

Serving over 2,000 Jewish undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Connecticut, Hillel is the Center for Jewish Life on campus. Hillel is committed to a pluralistic vision of Judaism, providing unique and meaningful opportunities to students and the greater community from all streams of Judaism. Through religious, cultural, educational, and social programming, the organization enriches the lives of students by nourishing Jewish identity and fostering deep connections with Israel and Jewry worldwide. Any student may participate in Hillel - no membership is required. For more information, UCONN Hillel.