Student committee leaders: Jason Spitalnick '02 and Yousuf Haque '02

Dartmouth President James Wright has announced approval of funding for the establishment of a halal-kosher dining facility to be operated by Dartmouth Dining Services (DDS). According to DDS Director Tucker Rossiter, the new dining facility will serve freshly prepared meals for lunch and dinner, and is expected to be in operation at the beginning of the Fall 2001 term. When complete, it will be one of the few college dining halls available anywhere in the nation that offers both halal and kosher meals to students who choose to observe the dietary laws of Islam and Judaism.

A committee of Muslim and Jewish students, together with faculty and staff, submitted a proposal that will guide planning for the new facility. The committee was led by Yousuf Haque '02, President of Dartmouth Al-Nur, and Jason Spitalnick '02, President of Dartmouth Hillel. At a time of deepening conflict in the Middle East, this committee representing both faiths forged a unique plan for halal (pronounced cha-lal) - kosher dining that accommodates the needs of the two religious customs and will be a resource and gathering place for the entire community.

"I am delighted that we are moving forward with this important initiative," said President Wright. "The careful work done by this committee gives us the opportunity to create a truly innovative facility where students and other members of the community will be able to observe the customs of their faiths."

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"If I am not for myself, who is for me? If I care only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?" These epigrammatic words of Rabbi Hillel were meant to remind us of the developmental process of a human being. That is to say, a process that encompasses the responsibility to take care of not only ourselves, but to provide service to others as well. Who will we, at Dartmouth College, choose to become? The time to decide is NOW.

"Not to be served, but to serve." These words from the Christian tradition are often set over the doorways of hospitals and churches across the nation. They are an inspiration and a challenge because they were both spoken and demonstrated in the life of Jesus.

All of us feel the appeal of such words and examples. Perhaps we have faith that there can be a better life for everyone if we, as a people, would dedicate a portion of ourselves to the service of others. We may sense that this is the pathway to a fulfillment that would otherwise be absent from our lives. However, despite the emphasis in this age on individual accomplishments and the autonomy of self, it may be that there is a more clouded desire for our accomplishments as a people.

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