Thursday, September 16, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 5
Free Israel trip available to 20 Jewish KU students
By Lesley Simmons
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Jewish students who want to visit Israel but don't have the cash for the trip might be able to find someone to foot their bills.
Birthright Israel — a partnership among Jewish philanthropists, Jewish communities and citizens of Israel — is offering free 10-day trips to Israel, with no strings attached, to 5,000 Jewish students across the nation.
Twenty spaces have been reserved for University of Kansas students for winter break this year.
"The reason this trip was put together is that Israel holds a special place in the Jewish identity," said Susan Shafer-Landau, executive director of the KU Hillel Foundation. "Israel is the only country where Jewish people make up the dominant culture. For kids who have grown up as a minority, it is the first chance they have to see a society where Jews have come together from all over the world."
She said she encouraged interested students to apply.
"It makes a big difference in
how connected students feel to their Jewish identity, how interested they are in participating in Jewish cultural events and celebrating their Jewish identity," Shafer-Landau said. "It's a real bonding experience for Jewish friends to travel together in Israel."
She said the trip was open to any Jewish student, regardless of background, affiliation or level of observance. But a student should not previously have been to Israel on an organized group trip.
The trip will include exploring Jerusalem, hiking through the Galilee region, checking out night life in Tel Aviv, swimming in the Dead Sea, scaling the heights of Masada, attending a rock concert and meeting Israeli students, business leaders and political leaders.
Teri Levich, Wichita junior and president of the Jewish
Student Council, spent her freshman wear in Jerusalem.
"It made me appreciate being Jewish more." she said.
Levich said she encouraged all Jewish students to apply because she thought Israel was amazing. She said she didn't realize how much her year in Israel had meant to her until she was back in Kansas.
Levich said her trip to Israel also helped her understand the importance of remembering her religious ties.
"It's like math," she said. "If you don't practice it, you'll forget it."
Students can apply for the program on the Internet at www.israel2000.org. The deadline is Sept. 30.
Shafer-Landau said she would not know how many students had applied until after the deadline because initial applications would be organized by the national organization. If more than 20 students apply, the extras will be placed on a waiting list and given preference for future trips.
Information about other trips to Israel financed by Birthright Israel is available at www.israelexperience.org.
- Edited by Katrina Hull
Mexicans plan local festivities for country's independence day
By Lesley Simmons
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Mexico's independence day is not an official holiday in the United States, but the day won't pass unobserved at the University of Kansas.
Sergio Guerra, a student from Mexico City, is planning a private party to celebrate the Mexican holiday, which is today. He has invited Mexican students to his home Friday night. He requested a list of Mexican students from International Student Services and expects 20 to 30 people to attend.
"We're going to bring some special dishes from Mexico and celebrate." he said.
In Mexico City, Guerra usually went to Constitutional Plaza, the central square, to celebrate the holiday. The streets would be crowded
with people, he said.
Guerra said it was hard to be in Lawrence for the holiday.
"I envy my friends at home who are having fun while I'm here going to class," he said.
Juan Carrera, Guzman, Mexico, graduate student, to attend Guerra's party.
"It will be a nice chance to see friends," he said.
Carrera said that after a few years in the United States, people became used to the fact that Mexican holidays were just regular days here.
"It's good to have a gathering so that the day won't pass by without acknowledgment," he said.
Carrera said that in Mexico everyone would go the to town square and say, "Viva Mexico," three times.
Gerardo de la Torre, Spanish graduate teaching assistant, said he
that was too busy to think about Mexican Independence Day but that he did plan to celebrate with his friends.
The Hispanic-American Law Student Association is sponsoring a party to celebrate Mexican Independence Day at 9 tonight at Coco Loco Mexican Cafe, 943 Massachusetts St. The cost is $5 at the door.
Edited by Allan Davis
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