Students walking through Talbert Hall in the academic spine have probably noticed that while Bert's Diner is bustling at lunchtime, its neighbor's doors have remained shut since before winter break.
The Kosher Deli will be closed for the remainder of the semester because head chef Ely Bokobza has not yet recovered from a November car accident. Bokobza had originally anticipated returning in February, but was unable to come back to work.
The deli, established at UB about seven years ago, was a popular lunch stop for kosher students and staff, vegetarians, vegans and other students simply seeking a break from traditional campus dining fare. A local Jewish rabbinical association supervises Bokobza's cooking.
"It has a definite following," said Mitch Green, executive director of the Faculty Student Association. "There are a number of students looking for kosher foods, and others of different religions that are looking for a similar diet, as well as the general population that likes the food Ely puts together."
Green said that if Bokobza is unable to return to his position, FSA will attempt to find a replacement chef who is properly trained to cook kosher food, which must be prepared according to strict guidelines in the Torah.
The six main laws governing kosher food, known as Kashrut, are found in the book of Leviticus. For example, meat and dairy products cannot be stored, prepared or consumed together. Fish with scales and fins can be eaten, but shellfish and crustaceans cannot.
Because kosher food has to be prepared in such a specific manner, many students other than observant Jews choose to eat at the Kosher Deli, including those who are lactose intolerant and some Muslim followers, whose laws for food preparation are similar.
Freshman Jill Zach, an undecided major, said she does not have any specific dietary requirements, but ate at the Kosher Deli once a week last semester. "My friends and I would meet and eat at the Kosher Deli. It was quite good. I feel like it's real food - not like this prepackaged stuff. I can see the person cooking it - it's good, hearty. The Kosher Deli is just a really good place to eat for me."
The head chef's daughter, Yosepha Bokobza, a freshman health and human services major, said the closing of the Kosher Deli has made mealtime a little more difficult for her.
"I can bring food [from home], but of course it was easier to get it here and more fun. I live at home, so the only meal here I eat is lunch. I'm sure I could find something, but there's not a lot to eat on campus that's prepared kosher," she said.
Nancy Atkinson, executive director of Hillel of Buffalo, said the lack of available kosher food on campus might cause students to choose universities with kosher dining halls over UB.
"It's difficult to keep kosher here, so students for whom it's important to keep kosher often go elsewhere," said Atkinson.
