Introduction: Muhlenberg College is known throughout the country for its caring, student-focused approach to student life in general and its particular concern for religious diversity on campus. Our Hillel program has gained national recognition and has earned several awards. A recent survey listed Muhlenberg as having the 10th highest percentage of Jewish students among all colleges and universities in the United States. Muhlenberg recognizes the growing need on campus to support all dietary needs of our students and has implemented several programs to meet the needs of our Jewish population.

Residence Halls: Muhlenberg offers a number housing options for students. Many have private kitchens, which residents may choose to maintain as kosher kitchens. First year student residence halls have public kitchens.  Additionally the Office of Residential Services has contracted with Campus Specialties, a company that leases MicroFridges, a multi-appliance which includes a microwave, a freezer, and a refrigerator. They also have a separate freezer and fridge unit available to lease (http://www.muhlenberg.edu/mgt/resserv/livingoptionsH.html).

General’s Quarter’s: Open weekdays from 7:00am – midnight and until 3:00am on the weekends, the “GQ,” as it is affectionately known by campus insiders offers students a variety of both meat and pareve Mon Cuisine® and Meal Mart® meals that can be heated at the GQ or back in the comfort of a student’s residence hall. The GQ also serves kosher hot dogs and sells a variety of kosher products in its convenience area.

Garden Room: Muhlenberg’s main, all you care to eat student dining hall offers a variety of Empire®, Meal Mart® and Dr. Praeger’s® entrees. These items are prepared on the spot for students in a TurboChef oven dedicated only for the preparation of kosher entrees and offered to students on disposable plates and flatware. These entrees may be supplemented with any of the many pareve food items available from the Garden Room kitchen.

Hillel House: The Hillel House is an on-campus facility and maintains a strictly kosher kitchen. Hundreds of students enjoy kosher Shabbat Dinners weekly in the Hillel House and feast on leftovers throughout the week. Students have 24 hour key card access to the Hillel House. While individual students are not permitted to cook meals in or bring food into the Hillel kitchen, the kitchen is well-stocked not only with leftovers but with great kosher study break snacks such as chicken nuggets, deli, hot dogs, knishes and more.

Coming Soon: As Muhlenberg looks to the future of dining on campus, we plan to incorporate a full kosher meal option, under rabbinical supervision, available to all students with the expansion and renovation of our lovely Seegers Student Union.