Jewish Life at Caltech

 

We are afraid that many Jewish prospective students choose other universities over Caltech because of a mistaken impression that Pasadena offers few or no opportunities for Jewish observance. Fortunately, this is not the case.

Since the fall of 1998, Caltech has offered a full-fledged kosher meal plan. The kosher kitchen, checked monthly by LA mashgichim, is located behind the general North House (Ruddock/Lloyd/Page) kitchen. The kosher food also meets Hallal (Muslim) standards. The kitchen is fleishig, but a kosher vegetarian plan with no dairy food is available. Shmura matzos and chametz-free meals in accordance with Ashkenazic customs are provided during Pesach. For more information about Caltech's Kosher plan email the Kosher cook, Joel Weinberger, at kosher@its.caltech.edu

Caltech Hillel is small, but this gives individual students the opportunity to become very involved in planning and organizing events. We also are a part of the Los Angeles Hillel Council, and attend many events organized by this council.

In the past, Caltech Hillel has:

• ensured that all interested students can attend High Holiday services at area synagogues
• organized shabbat dinners once a term
• built a sukkah on the roof of the Winnett Student Center
• organized events for Pesach

The generally non-rigid environment which pervades the small Caltech community and the fact that all tests are take-home make necessary exemptions for yom tovim fair and easy, so long as they are handled responsibly.