In the past, Jewish students could consume very few foods from dining halls during Passover, Hilary Gordon, vice president of Hillel, Ball State University's Jewish student organization, said.
Starting this year, however, Jewish students will be able to choose from a variety of foods during Passover.
Gordon approached Dining Director Jon Lewis to talk about adding kosher-style food during Passover, April 3 through April 11. Gordon said she was sure the university didn't intentionally make kosher-style food unavailable.
"There is no way for them to fix anything if they don't know it's broken," Gordon said.
Last year, Dining tried to provide kosher-style meals; however, they contained bread, which isn't allowed during Passover, Gordon said.
Passover, a major Jewish holiday, is the week of remembrance for when the Jews escaped Egypt.
Certain food ingredients must be avoided during this week, including leavening, which helps make bread rise.
The dietary rules during Passover, however, are different than a kosher diet.
According to jewfaq.org, kosher is a word used to describe the foods that meet the correct Jewish dietary standards, including what is eaten, how it is prepared and how it is eaten.
Gordon said Orthodox Jews follow kosher dietary laws all year round, while other Jews might follow them on a less-strict basis, such as only during Passover.
A kosher-style meal is not actually kosher because it is prepared differently, Gordon said. For a kosher meal, dairy and meat products must be prepared and served separately, she said.
It is almost impossible to provide a kosher meal at a university, which is why Dining will provide kosher-style meals instead, Lucas Miller, manager of Menu Development and Test Kitchen, said.
"It's pretty strict; you pretty much need a rabbi to be there with you to prepare the food," he said.
Gordon said the kosher rules are very old and don't really apply now because of technological advances. For example, when these rules were created, there was no refrigeration; therefore, pork spoiled quickly and made people sick so it was forbidden to eat. Jewish people continue to keep the tradition, however, which is very important to them, she said.
"It's all part of what makes us a strong community," Gordon said.
Miller said Hillel gave Dining a list of foods that should be offered. He looked through menus and recipes to make modifications for the students, he said, and Hillel approved the menu.
"I think the Jewish students will really appreciate finding substantial food during Passover," he said.
Miller said Dining will continue to offer kosher-style meals during Passover from now on. There is no extra expense to provide the meals.
Gordon is happy Jewish students in the future will have the opportunity to take advantage of the kosher-style meals at Ball State.
"I want Jewish students coming in the future to say, 'Oh, the university cares,'" she said.
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