YAVNEH
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Kashrut Questions

Here are the first set of questions from a discussion with Rabbi Shaffer, the mashgiach at Barnard's Hewitt Dining Hall. To ask Rabbi Shaffer more question, email Rebshaff@aol.com.

Rabbi Noam Friedman, our JLIC Rabbi is also available for answering questions at nf2346@columbia.edu 

What’s kosher in Hewitt but not labeled kosher?
  • Coffee, cappuccino, frozen yogurt, drinks, whole fruits—kosher
  • Don’t take cut things because same knives used for cutting fruit are “mamash treif” (actually not kosher)
  • Not the cake, yes the breads (labeled on the package)
  • Not all the cereals are kosher, but there’s a list of which are and which are not
  • Processed stuff in Liz’s place is probably not good because it’s not supervised
  • The food on the second floor of the Diana center, unless specifically labeled with a hechsher (kosher symbol), is not kosher
  • For the Starbucks stuff in Liz’s place, check kosherstarbucks.com

How should people kasher their suites when they first move in?
  • Scrub and clean the oven very vigorously, leave it on full temperature UNDER SUPERVISION for a little while
    • See Rabbi Shaffer if you want to hear a sad story about a student who once burned down her college dorm room because she left her oven on full temperature unsupervised.
  • Pour boiling water over sinks, counters, etc. VERY CAREFULLY, stage by stage, not a ton of water over everything
  • Have separate bins/sink inserts for dairy and meat stuff in the sink

Checking for bugs?
  • Don’t need a light box
  • Break up lettuce, wash off a few times, check it with a good light source… when get stuff from a farm or if it is not such good quality, or it looks damaged, be extra careful checking it
  • Pre-packaged vegetables that have hechshers don’t need to be checked

Communal kitchen stuff?
  • It is NOT okay to wash dishes in a treif sink, even with cold water, unless you make a separation between the sink and the dishes; definitely not l’chatchila (ideal scenario)
  • To kasher a microwave, clean it out and then boil a cup of water and let it steam in the microwave every time before you use it  (also can kasher a dishwasher by cleaning it and running a cycle)
  • For ovens—suggested 24 hour cycle between meat and dairy because of ta’am (taste) absorption problems
  • DON’T use the microwave in Hewitt

Separate sponge for pareve and dairy?  Not really necessary!


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  • Home
  • Minyan Times
  • Stay Connected!
    • Sign up for the ListServ!
    • Suggestions
  • Events & Programs
    • Upcoming Events
  • Meet the Leadership
  • Columbia/Barnard Hillel
    • CB Hillel Website
    • Welcome Class of 2025!
  • New Students
    • FAQs
    • Prospective Students
    • Looking for a roommate?
  • Shabbat Meal Sign-ups