U.VA.'S HILLEL JEWISH CENTER HIRES NEW DIRECTOR 

	CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Aug. 22 -- The Hillel Jewish Center at
the University of Virginia has hired Rabbi Aaron B. Bisno as its new
executive director. 
	A native of Georgia, Bisno graduated from Washington
University in St. Louis, Mo.  He recently was ordained at Hebrew
Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, the Reform
rabbinical seminary, and has led the Hillel Center here since July
1. 
	Bisno, 27, replaces David Y. Chack, who headed U.Va.'s
Hillel program for the past five years.  Chack left earlier this
year to complete his doctoral dissertation and pursue other
opportunities. 
	Bisno plans to work closely with students to map a new
direction for the organization. And he will call on students,
parents and alumni for support.
	"U.Va.'s Jewish community is undergoing a renaissance, so
Hillel must gain a new understanding of itself, too," says Bisno.
"While Jews have steadily comprised around 10 percent of the student
body at U.Va., their needs and expectations are different than they
have been in the past." 
	No longer the only places at colleges and universities where
Jewish students can socialize and meet their residential and dietary
needs, Hillel centers nationwide have expanded their goals to
include programs that will further students' religious and cultural
identities. 
	"I don't want Jewish students to go through life as
observers," Bisno says.  "I want to work with Jews in wedding
Judaism with life in a wider world."
	Bisno also plans to expand the Jewish group's ties to other
student organizations, such as women's groups, African-American
student groups and other religious groups.
	There has been a Hillel presence at U.Va. since the 1940s,
but it was not until recently that the Hillel Jewish Center was
incorporated.  Last year, B'nai B'rith ceded ownership of the Hillel
building at 1824 University Circle to the student organization.  Now
there are three full-time staff members at Hillel, including a rabbi
and program director. 
	For more information, or to arrange for Rabbi Bisno to speak
to your group, call the Hillel Jewish Center at (804) 295-4963.
Television reporters should call our TV News Office at (804)
924-7550.
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August 21, 1996