Harvard-Radcliffe Hillel elected its leadership for the coming year at yesterday's monthly meeting.

Approximately 80 people gathered to hear the seven candidates in three hours of speeches and a question-and-answer session.

The members chose Michael A. Kay '01 as steering committee chair and Josh S. Goodman '00 as associate chair.

Outgoing steering committee chair Michael M. Rosen '99 said he was pleased with the election results.

"I'm thrilled. I think all seven candidates would have done remarkable jobs leading Hillel over the next year."

He added, "I'm a little sad to be going, but very excited about next year."

Kay said his main goal is to "educate the entire Harvard community--Jewish and non-Jewish--about Hillel."

The candidates spoke about new programs and outreaches to the House and dorms to acquaint more people with Hillel.

"A lot of ideas were generated by these elections," Goodman said. "It is important for the members of the steering committee to turn these into something concrete."

The race for associate chair was close, and Goodman said, "for such a contested election, this is as friendly as it gets."

Kay said one of the first concrete things he will do is create "educational programs to help people understand the different philosophies and practices of the many different types of Judaism."

Goodman said of his new partner, "The two of us will work very well together."