MONDAY,MAY5,2003
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3A
Jewish students celebrate Israeli Independence Day
By Cal Creek
ccreek@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Jewish students at the University of Kansas and members and leaders of the Jewish community gathered for a concert and barbecue last night.
Allyson Tash. Jewish Campus Service Corps. Fellow for KU Hillel, said everyone was celebrating a ground breaking year for KU Hillel, in addition to Yom Ha'Atsmaut — Israel's Independence
Day, which is Wednesday.
About 125 people gathered for the end of the year barbecue sponsored by KU Hillel and the Jewish Community Center. The students and community members came to the Jewish Community Center, 917 Highland Drive, to hear Rick Recht perform with his three-piece folk rock band.
"He is one of the most popular in the Jewish world," said Jay Lewis, KU Hillel director. Lewis said college students liked Recht because he wove in songs from pop music,
such as the Indigo Girls and Dave Matthews Band, into his music.
The audience waved Israeli flags and sang along with Recht after he went on stage at 6:30 p.m.
Recht performed several songs that incorporated Jewish philosophies, folk lore and terms. At one point he called five students on stage to sing with him.
"I've never heard him before, but I like it," said Ryan Lewis, Dallas sophomore. "It gets us all involved."
Before the concert began the
group ate Israeli food, including falafel and humus. Kosher hot dogs were among the only non-Israeli dishes available.
Students came to the barbecue for a variety of reasons.
The Jewish Community Center and KU Hillel sold T-shirts and wallets with Hebrew writing on them. One T-shirt for sale read "Kansas" in Hebrew.
"It's just really cool to see all these people together," said Tomas Ancelovici, Santiago, Chile, junior. "It's the last chance to be with a
lot of Jewish students."
Ancelovici also came as part of the KU Israeli Alliance. Ancelovici and Meghan Traxler, Dallas freshman, circulated the crowd collecting names and contact information for those interested in more information about their group.The Alliance was formed to educate students and community members about the relationship between the United States and Israel.
Traxler was inspired by the 100-plus crowd that had congregated in support of Israel.
"This is motivating because these people are going to go out in our community and create a dialogue," Traxler said.
Even with all the celebrating the Jewish leaders are already looking on to the next year. Tash said she was excited because members of KU Hillel had just elected a student executive board for next year. This will be the first time in four years that KU Hillel has had a student executive board.
Edited by Brandon Gay
Jayhawk fans sought to fill University mascot positions
Dan Nelson/Kansan
By Eddie Yang
eyang@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
A University of Kansas student warms up Saturday during mascot tryouts at Anschutz Pavilion. Mascot tryouts were held Saturday and yesterday.
The University of Kansas is looking for representatives to bring good luck and cheer to Kansas athletic teams by dressing up as a big, furry Jayhawk.
The Spirit Squad held tryouts this weekend for positions as the University mascot.
About 15 people attended a clinic Saturday that taught them the basic moves required for the tryout. The participants tried out yesterday in front of a panel.
Chelsea DeMars, Keller Texas, sophomore, said she was excited about the opportunity to be a mascot.
"I'm really school spirited and I think it would be fun to run around in a costume," DeMars said. "I'm a hardcore Jayhawk."
Steven Bartkoski, Basehor sophomore, also considers himself a hardcore Jayhawk fan.
"I've been a Jayhawk fan since birth," Bartkoski said. "I just love acting crazy and it seems to be a big part of the job."
ior and two-year mascot veteran, said tryouts consisted of dance moves to the Rock Chalk fight song, random dance moves, an improvisational session and a skit.
"We will have a panel of judges that will include the spirit head and a couple of people from the promotions department." Veit said.
He said the finalists would be picked today or tomorrow.
"We are judging them like we would a cheerleader." Veit said. "They need to have crisp moves when dancing and have excitement in everything they do."
The University's mascot originated in the 1960s when the KU Alumni Association provided a costume. In 1971, during homecoming halftime, a huge egg was hauled to the 50-yard line, and fans witnessed the birth of Baby Jay.
Veit said the Spirit Squad would receive two new costumes this summer.
"We have two right now for Jay and Baby Jay, and we also have two older ones that look different," Veit said. "It helps if we have multiple appearances."
Chris Veit, Overland Park jun- — Edited by Brandon Gay
The Kansan is hiring!
SPORTSWRITERS AND COLUMNISTS JAYPLAY COLUMNISTS AND REVIEWERS DESIGNERS, ILLUSTRATORS, AND GRAPHIC ARTISTS OPINION COLUMNIST AND EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS KANSAN.COM STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS TONGUE-IN-BEAK SATIRE WRITERS
Come to The University Daily Kansan to pick up an application. Room 111 Stauffer-Flint
---