Naftali Hanau

Naftali (Naf) Hanau graduated Hillel School in 1999, as part of the largest graduating class in the school's history. He graduated from New York University with a degree in Economics, and the New York Botanic Garden School of Professional Horticulture. After a short stint in Landscaping and Sustainable Farming, he and his wife Anna founded Grow and Behold Foods, operating the business for 12 years, until selling it in 2022. Naf, Anna, and their children Joe (10), Rebecca (8), and Walter (6) are ecstatic to be moving from Brooklyn to Rochester this summer, and starting Hillel School this fall. 

Naf is thrilled to be joining the leadership team at Hillel School, and is looking forward to working with Principal Sonia Newman, the teachers and staff, and the board, to strengthen HCDS and take it into the future. As Naf says: "Hillel School was the formative experience in my childhood, along with my experiences growing up at the JCC and in the Rochester Jewish Community. I am so excited to join those who are hard at work creating spaces for the Jewish children of Rochester to grow and thrive. While there are certainly challenges ahead, I'm excited for the opportunity to be a part of shaping the future of Jewish Rochester."