Conference to Kick Off Jewish Awareness Month At UB

BUFFALO, N.Y -- Photo exhibits and lectures on such topics as current issues in Israel, tracing one's Jewish "roots" and "Survival in Sarajevo" will be among the highlights of Jewish Awareness Month, to be held Feb. 9 through March 8 at the University at Buffalo.

Kicking off the month-long observance will be the 11th annual Wasserman Conference from 1:30-5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9, in the Student Union on the North (Amherst) Campus.

Keynote speaker will be Rabbi Eugene B. Borowitz, professor of education and Jewish religious thought at Hebrew Union College. He will discuss "Personal Relationship: God, Self and Community" at 2 p.m. in the Student Union Theatre. Workshops on "Spirituality," "Diversity" and "Town and Gown" will follow from 3-4:15 p.m. and 4:15-5:30 p.m.

Registration for the conference, which is open to the public, will be held from 1-1:30 p.m. in the Student Union. A closing dinner will begin at 5:35 p.m. in Pistashio's in the Student Union. The registration fee for the program is $2 for students and $6 for all others; the charge for dinner is $3 for students and $6 for all others.

The Wasserman Conference is presented by Hillel and co-sponsored by the American Jewish Committee of WNY Buffalo/Niagara Chapter, Jewish Family Service of Buffalo & Erie County and the Division of Student Affairs at UB.

€ "Current Issues in Israel," noon, Wednesday, March 5, Suite 210, The Commons on the North Campus, featuring Daniel Kutner, the Israeli consul for academic affairs in the U.S.

€ "Uncovering Jewish Roots" with Jack Katz, UB professor of audiology, noon to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19, Suite 210, The Commons.

€ "Survival in Sarajevo" photo exhibit depicting the role of the Jewish community during the Serbian siege of the Bosnian capital, Tuesday, Feb. 25, in the lobby of the Student Union and Wednesday, Feb. 26, Suite 210, The Commons.