George Mason University Dining has worked closely with Mason Hillel and Chabad at Mason to provide students, faculty and staff with a new, eclectic mix of Kosher cuisine at the Southside dining facility, enabling diners to easily follow Kosher dietary rules.
The new station, known as Mason Mensch, launched for the spring semester. Kosher dinners are served from 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday through Thursday.
The station is located between the dessert and Simple Servings stations, with offerings available on a first-come, first-served basis.
“We are thankful to the Mason administration for their true commitment to inclusion,” said Rabbi Ezra Wiemer, co-director of Chabad at Mason. “There’s a Jewish expression, ‘May we go from strength to strength!’ This is a huge milestone for the Jewish community, and we know that together with Mason Hillel, our community will continue to grow and strengthen.”
Char Bar, a well-known Kosher establishment in downtown Washington, is providing a selection of brisket tacos, hot honey chicken, burgers, kabobs, sandwiches and other offerings. Production and service will be overseen by a mashgiach – an expert Kosher supervisor – to ensure the highest standards of Kosher are followed.
Char Bar’s owner, Michael Chelst, said he’s honored to be part of the inaugural Kosher food program at George Mason. “The university’s commitment to inclusion for everyone is a blessing for the Jewish community,” Chelst said.
“Kosher food is part of our tradition and how we live our lives,” said senior Emma Sameth, a global-affairs major. “It’s a commandment from the Torah, it makes us feel proud to be Jewish, and more connected to who we are.”
This addition to the dining program has been in the works for years, and aligns with the university’s overall mission.
“We are very excited to bring this innovative and inclusive concept to fruition at Mason,” said Pascal Petter, executive director of Auxiliary Services. “With such a diverse campus and requests for foods that fit into a Kosher lifestyle, we know that Char Bar’s Kosher selections will be a great addition to Mason’s dining line-up.”
Joel Hirsch, Sodexo’s executive chef at Southside, said he is excited to be able to offer Kosher meals for Mason’s students with dietary requirements.
“I look forward to rapid growth of the Kosher program,” Hirsch said, “to be able to offer [this program] not only to Mason students, but also the Fairfax community as a whole in the future.”
