The much-awaited opening of the new Kosher/Halal dining facility has been delayed another two months because of a summer construction crunch, tentatively pushing back the opening date to Nov. 1.
"We hoped to have it ready for [yesterday]," said Tucker Rossiter, Director of DDS but the need for fall housing units and other construction projects pushed back the progress on the dining hall, which is housed in the back of Thayer Dining Hall.
"We're still very much on course" said Rabbi Edward Boraz. "These things can take a little longer, meeting the technical demands. We don't want to open before we're ready."
"It's a pretty noncontroversial delay," said Jason Spitalnick '02, one of the students who has worked with Hillel and DDS on the project.
While construction continues on the physical plant, the personnel and logistics are continuing to fall into place. Robert Lester has just been hired to oversee the daily workings of the facility. He starts Oct. 1.
"This is new for a lot of us," said Rossiter. "We've selected the staff, we've got new ovens, grills, and fryers for the two separate kitchens, and suppliers for the kosher products. We just need students to work with us to create menus."
Advisor to the Muslim Students Association, Amin Plaisted, who has been also been working with DDS to create the Muslim features of the dining hall, said, "In brief, I am pleased with the significant effort from the folks at DDS. Trying to accomplish a halal/kosher facility seems kind of like trying to thread two needles with one thread leaning out the window of a car going 80 miles an hour. Not easy!"
The next challenge is to find an Orthodox Rabbi to oversee the continued regulation of the facility.
Members of the Hindu community also contacted DDS at the end of the summer to look at providing meals that comply with Hindu eating regulations. "Some of their needs can be met with the dairy facilities of the new dining hall," said Rossiter.
"We are listening and learning to see where we can accommodate the Hindu community. We have to let them know what is available to meet their needs first -- it's a small step but it's a beginning."
The facility, upon completion, will have separate meat and dairy kitchens, parted by a long wall, with another line serving hot entrees prepared in a separate kitchen downstairs, according to Muslim guidelines
"It will not be an all-you-can-eat facility like Westside," said Rossiter. Because of this change, the doors will be kept open between Home Plate, the kosher/halal facility and Food Court to create a more all-inclusive atmosphere.
The unique atmosphere and offerings of the facility will provide more than just a place to eat, Rossiter said.
"It emphasizes the principles of diversity of the College," said Boraz.
Rossiter estimates that there are approximately 400 Jewish students and about 75 Muslim students, but the facility will be open to the entire campus.
"We hope it is successful for reaching out to the entire community while serving the needs of a few," said Spitalnick.
