Michael M. Rosen '99-'98 was elected chair of Harvard-Radcliffe Hillel's Coordinating Council last night during its annual elections. Shaun A. Steigman '00 was elected associate chair.

Rosen said he expected to concentrate his efforts on "providing more channels and outreaches to involve a greater proportion of [Harvard's] Jewish community."

Echoing Rosen's desire to make Hillel a more welcoming place, Steigman said he was "real excited to begin...making Hillel more accessible to those who want to benefit from it."

Adam M. Kleinbaum '98, the Council's current chair, said he was very pleased with the outcome of the elections, although he emphasized that all the candidates who ran would have been very good for the organization.

"The most important thing a chair can bring is innovation--new ideas," Kleinbaum said.

Joshua E. Penzner '00, who also ran for chair, said he is happy for Hillel.

"I'm confident in Mike--he'll do a good job," Penzner said.

In their speeches, many candidates used the word "pluralism" to describe the diverse population of students at Harvard which Hillel seeks to serve. Each candidate outlined a vision for the organization that involved encouraging more students to become involved with Hillel.

Kleinbaum said his greatest achievement this past year as chair was "focus[ing] the community on the importance of engaging every Jew."

Rosen said he believes that Hillel often does fail to engage the entire Harvard Jewish community.

"Hillel is very beautiful from afar, but up-close, you can't see us very well because our faces are turned away," he said, emphasizing the need to create a community more concerned about reaching out.

Rosen also said that he wants Hillel to become more directly involved with other student groups on campus. "We have a lot to learn from other groups," he said, "and a lot to contribute."

Like most other voting members, Ari M. Vander Walde '00 downplayed the results of last night's elections.

"All the candidates were really good," he said. "Who won is less important than the ideas they brought forth."CrimsonPaul S. Gutman '00NEW LEADERS: JOSHUA E. PENZNER'00 (left) and MICHAEL M. ROSEN '99-'98 wait for a decision last night during Hillel's annual elections.