WEST HARTFORD — Eric Maurer has been named the new director of the Jewish Teen Learning Connection (JTConnect), a twice-weekly program for Jewish teens, previously headed by Heather Fiedler.

A native of Burlington, Massachusetts, he received his bachelors degree from the University of Hartford, during which time he was active in Jewish organizations both on and off campus. This spring, he completed a Masters of Arts in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and a Masters of Arts in Jewish Professional Leadership at Brandeis University, with a concentration in Israel Education from The iCenter.

While a student at the University of Hartford, Maurer worked at Congregation Kol Haverim in Glastonbury. Following graduation, he served as synagogue educator at Temple Emunah in Lexington, Massachusetts, spearheading innovative formal and informal Jewish educational experiences and connecting students to opportunities to explore, deepen and celebrate their Jewish identity.

Maurer and his wife, Rebecca, met at a Hillel tie-dye event at the University of Hartford. He will take over the reins at JTConnect on July 1.