A closer look: A week of faiths
By Christian Mignot
April 6, 2004 9:00 p.m.
First, they searched through pantry cupboards and refrigerators
to find any food that might be wheat-based ““ bread, crackers,
pasta.
Then, all such products were isolated in pre-designated
cupboards, doors sealed shut with tape, a symbol of the discipline
by which all would abide.
Finally, all counters, appliances, floors and surfaces were
scrubbed down to ensure that not one trace of anything leavened was
left in the kitchen.
Only then did the residents of the Bayit ““ UCLA’s
co-ed Jewish co-operative house located on Landfair Avenue ““
declare their kitchen to be kosher for the Jewish holiday of
Passover.
During the eight days of Passover, many Jews abide by a special
kosher diet which bans the consumption of flour- or wheat-based
products. This practice symbolizes the Jew’s Exodus from
slavery in Egypt. According to the Torah, the main Jewish text, the
ancient Israelites fled Egypt in a hurry and had no time to wait
for their bread to rise.
For Molly Newborn, resident adviser for the Bayit and 2003 UCLA
graduate, the recently “kosherized” kitchen is the
pride and joy of the co-op house.
“We are the only place on campus that has a completely
kosher kitchen,” she said.
Open since 1974, originally as accommodation for students of the
nearby Chabad House on Gayley Avenue, today the Bayit is home to
nine residents who each practice their faith at varying levels of
orthodoxy.
Claudia Belsman, a third-year American studies student on
exchange from England, said the co-op makes it easier for residents
to keep their Jewish culture and customs, particularly through the
community connections made with other local Jewish
organizations.
“It gives me more opportunities to get in touch with the
spiritual side of my life,” she said.
Living in a faith-based community also helps the residents of
Bayit adhere to stricter religious customs, like Shabbat
““Â the traditional day of rest observed on Saturday.
On those days, residents in the house do not use electricity,
cook, watch TV, walk, write or deal with money.
“There are different levels of observance for people in
the house ““ some practice more strictly than others,”
said David Yair, a second-year business economics student.
“But as a group we observe rules according to the
strictest person in the house,” he added.
Such adherence can be new to many of the residents.
“Half the people here didn’t even live (keeping)
kosher at home,” Newborn said.
