Dietary guidelines and dining practices vary widely among Stanford’s religiously diverse community. For Stanford’s Jewish and Muslim communities, meals and fasting will take on special significance in April, when Passover and Ramadan converge.
The university’s Office for Religious & Spiritual Life, Residential & Dining Enterprises and affiliated faith organizations take a number of steps to meet students’ religious dietary needs throughout the year and, in particular, during holy days.
“Both spiritual and physical nourishment are critical to members of our faith communities, especially during their religious holidays,” said Tiffany Steinwert, dean for Religious and Spiritual Life. “Most of our students will be on campus – away from home and family members – so we hope that special meals and companion events and celebrations will help them honor their family traditions and even make new connections.”
Here is an overview of campus dining options and accommodations for Ramadan and Passover, and throughout the year.
Ramadan
The Muslim Student Union organizes free nightly community iftar dinners in Old Union Courtyard and Ramadan-specific Taraweeh prayers afterwards in the CIRCLE on the third floor of Old Union.
Image credit: Office for Religious and Spiritual Life
The iftars, which will run from April 2 through May 1, will include various cuisines that celebrate the diversity of the campus Muslim community.
R&DE’s Ramadan dining options will be available at Arrillaga Family Dining Commons and Lakeside Dining from sunset until 9 p.m. daily. These include iftar meals and suhoor (pre-dawn meal) stations, with a rotating assortment of sandwiches, breakfast items, fruits and other healthy snacks.
Each location will serve an iftar special meal – reflecting student and staff input and representing Muslim cultures around the world – on Tuesdays during Ramadan and, on Monday, May 2, will offer a special Eid dinner.
Fasting students may bring a meal to classes that coincide with sunset.
Food options and accommodations are designed so that students can practice observant dining during Ramadan. However, those on undergraduate dining plans are able to request exemptions if they have a demonstrated religious need that cannot be accommodated on the meal plan. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and managed through ORSL.
Throughout the year, all chicken served in R&DE dining halls is certified halal and halal beef is available on a rotating basis. R&DE cooks do not use alcohol in their recipes and are conscious to avoid cross-contact of pork products. Anyone who is concerned about cross-contact with haram foods may request a fresh plate. A manager will plate the food separately from food items on the serving line.
Passover
Hillel at Stanford will host a first-night community Seder for students at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, and a second-night Seder at 8:30 p.m. the following day. These celebrations are free but attendees should RSVP here.
Image credit: Office for Religious and Spiritual Life
Kosher food is available for pickup at Hillel from April 15 through April 23.
Matzah and matzah ball soup will be available in all dining halls, including EVGR Dining, throughout Passover.
Throughout the year, supervised Kosher food is available through R&DE’s Glatt kosher dining program. Meals are served at Florence Moore Dining Hall – FloMo – on weekdays and at Hillel on Saturdays and Sundays.
Both the FloMo and Hillel kitchens are under Vaad supervision. The Hillel kitchen is used during Passover and the FloMo kitchen at other times during the year.
Kosher products are available for purchase at Munger Market year-round.