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K. C. radio host broadcasts from Israel

There' nothing like being on the ground in Israel to truly understand the situation. That' what Kansas City Radio Talk Show Host Tom Becka is finding out as he travels to Israel. Becka, who hosts his own program daily from 9 to 11 a. m. on 980 KMBZ, is broadcasting live from Jerusalem, Israel this week. Each day Becka will have a variety of guests form top political and governmental leaders, Kansas Citians now traveling or living in Israel as well as ordinary Israelis. Becka is accompanied by Marvin Szneler, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Bureau/American Jewish Committee.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, the JCRB/AJC, 980 KMBZ and several local donors have made Becka' trip possible. Becka' trip is part of America' Voices in Israel project, a joint effort of United Jewish Communities, the Federation' national partner organization, the Jewish Council For Public Affairs and Jerusalem Post Radio in cooperation with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

Becka said the trip to Israel would be enlightening.

"I want to understand what' going on there so that when there are things in the news going I? ll be able to talk about it in an intelligent manor,‘ said Becka before living for Israel. ’I have a basic knowledge of the area, but I don? t understand all of the dynamics. A lot of what we'e dealing with right now here in the United States and Israel could be a guide for us in how they deal with terrorism."

Among the guest scheduled to appear this week on the Tom Becka show are Raanan Gissin, senior advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon; Gideon Meir, deputy director of public affairs for the Foreign Ministry and Khaled Abu Toameh, Arab affairs correspondent for The Jerusalem Post, and several members of the Knesset. Other Becka guests include Former BIAV Rabbi Morey Schwartz and his wife, Deena, who made aliyah with their children a few years ago; two Kansas City area Jewish students, Solomon Alpert and Jared Rosenbloom, who are studying in Israel; and Pastor Paul Brooks of Raytown Baptist Church and Rich Hastings, CEO of Saint Luke' Health System, who are currently in Israel.

During his "off the air" time, Becka plans to visit Kibbutzim, the Lebanese border, and numerous Christian and Jewish holy sites.

"We'e fortunate that Tom' taking the time to go to Israel and present the tens of thousands of his listeners with the opportunity to hear firsthand about life in Israel and the current situation,"said Marvin Szneler, JCRB/AJC executive director, who is traveling with Becka. He has extraordinary itinerary of touring the country and meeting people of influence, government officials and the people of the area."

Becka plans to post a daily diary of his Israel' experiences on the radio station' web site. You can follow his travels at www.kmbz.com and click on "Tom Becka".

(originally appeared on www.jewishkansascity.org)

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