Stay Kosher on Campus

Example Letter - Explaining Kashrut to Your College

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is [name] and I will be starting my undergraduate degree at [college] in October this year.

As an [denomination] Jew I observe the Jewish dietary laws, known as 'Kashrut', which will have the effect of completely preventing me from eating in the college dining hall. In summary, they involve:

  • The complete separation of meat and dairy products, including the utensils that each is prepared with, down to the smallest ingredient in pre-prepared bought foodstuffs.
  • A prohibition against eating any foodstuffs that include other prohibited ingredients or mixtures, such as particular animals or even permitted animals or animal products not prepared in the correct manner.
  • A prohibition against cooking with any utensils that have previously been used to prepare such prohibited foods without an extremely thorough cleaning process.

These dietary laws are so numerous and complex that I understand that I will be required to cater for myself while living in the college and as such I wish to request [requests]. I fully understand that this request is disruptive to the accommodation process and to the privileges normally granted to first-year students. However, my position is a difficult one and I am confident that the college will appreciate the seriousness of my situation.

[Further request details] Of course, I fully understand the irregular and disruptive nature of this request and hope that any solution to this dilemma will cause as little inconvenience as possible to the college and student body.

I would greatly appreciate it if the college could inform me as to the results of my request prior to my arrival in October so that I am able to prepare accordingly. I am extremely grateful for any help the college can afford me in solving this dilemma.

Yours sincerely,

[Signed]

[Name]

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