What are my options, and can I choose the program I want?

There are two great kosher meal plan options available on campus for YOU the student.  One is offered through Columbia University Dining at John Jay Hall and the other through Barnard College Dining at Hewitt Hall.  Students from CC, SEAS and BC can select either plan.  The information below depends on which program you choose, and not which school you attend, so CHOOSE WISELY!

What about Shabbat and Holiday meals?

Shabbat and Holiday meals are community meals held in Hewitt Hall (Barnard) and done in conjunction with Hillel.  All Shabbat and Holiday meals are included in the Barnard Dining plan.  Columbia kosher dining is closed Shabbat and Holidays.  Columbia dining students may sign up for a Shabbat or Holiday meal for $14.25/dinner and $12.25/lunch. 

NEW PROGRAM:  There is a Barnard Shabbat Wrap-Around option for non-Barnard Kosher participants to buy all Shabbat and Holiday meals

Regardless of which kosher meal plan you choose, you must sign up for Shabbat meals each week by Thursday at 12:00pm on the at the latest on the Columbia/Barnard Hillel website.  Holiday sign up will take place a few days in advance.  Please check the Hillel website for times.

Return to Top

Can I eat in the other dining hall if I want to?

There is a meal exchange allowing students to eat in either dining hall.  Excluding Shabbat and Holidays, Columbia dining students can exchange lunch or dinner at Hewitt for an additional $4.00, paid in cash or dining dollars.  Barnard dining students have a straight exchange.

Return to Top

Can I eat breakfast at Barnard on my Columbia plan?

Monday through Friday, Barnard offers kosher breakfast, in addition to lunch and dinner.  Columbia offers brunch and dinner.  Brunch at Columbia may only be exchanged for lunch at Barnard, while dinner at Columbia may only be exchanged for dinner at Barnard.  Columbia students may purchase breakfast at Barnard with cash or dining dollars at a cost of $5.25.

Return to Top

When can I eat?

Regular weekday kosher meals at both locations are served at all regular meal times.  Either follow the hungry crowds to John Jay or Hewitt, or check their websites at www.dining.columbia.edu or www.barnard.edu/dining/.

Shabbat and Holiday meal times vary based on the calendar.  Please check Shabbat  Times.

Return to Top

Who supervises the Kosher food?

Both campuses are under strict orthodox supervision.  Columbia University’s kosher services are supervised by the Star-K.  Please contact our campus Rabbi, Yonah Hain, with any questions. He can reached be reached at rabbi@columbia.edu or by phone at (212) 854-5111.  Barnard College’s kosher food services are supervised by Rabbi Ian Shaffer, a full time in-house Rav Hamachshir (certifying rabbi).  He may be contacted at (212) 854-6590.

Return to Top

What’s to eat?

Columbia’s kosher dining program caters its food daily from a local kosher caterer.  Wednesdays are “Deli Days” .

At Barnard, all meals are freshly made in a supervised full service kosher kitchen. Breakfast and lunch are dairy, while dinner is a meat meal.  The kosher section includes a salad bar as well.  All Shabbat and Holiday Meals follow traditional menus.

Return to Top

What is the difference between Columbia and Barnard Meal Points?

Meal plans come with points that work like cash on campus.  Columbia points may only be used at Columbia campus retail facilities (including the John Jay Kosher Deli), while Barnard points may only be used at Barnard facilities.  Additional

Dining Dollars may be purchased that are usable on both campuses

 Return to Top

What’s the “bottom line”?

Columbia’s kosher meal plan costs $4,700 per year including brunch and dinner daily.  Does not include Shabbat and Holidays

Barnard’s kosher meal plan costs $5000 per year including daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, brunch on sundays, Shabbat and Holiday meals.

The Wrap Around Plan for Columbia students to purchase all Shabbat meals is $630 per year.

Return to Top

Where can I get more information?

For Columbia, please contact the Customer Service Center at eats@columbia.edu, 212-854-4076 or visit us in room 118 Hartley Hall.

Barnard may be contacted through the dining manager Al Sorbera at 212-854-6663.

In addition to the main meal plans, there are a variety of kosher options on and off campus, including Hillel’s Café Nana, the John Jay Kosher Deli and packaged kosher items in select dining locations. 

Hillel Recommendations:

Recommendation A:  Join the Barnard Meal Plan and purchase CU Dining Dollars

Recommendation B:  Join the Columbia Meal Plan, buy the Barnard Wrap Around plan, and purchase CU Dining Dollars

Return to Top