Kosher and Shabbat - Carmel School Association Skip To Main Content

Kosher and Shabbat

Carmel School abides by the Jewish laws of Kashrut (Kosher) at all times. We therefore ask you to ensure that playdates and birthday parties follow the laws of kosher and Shabbat in order for all classmates and families to feel welcomed and comfortable in all homes and other spaces. As a community school, we all work together to respect and support the dietary laws and requirements.

KOSHER

  • Kosher is the term used for Jewish dietary laws.
  • There are three categories, MEAT, DAIRY, PAREVE.
  • Meat and dairy CANNOT be mixed or eaten at the same meal.
  • It is important to read labels as butter/milk which render an item ‘dairy’ are often used in foods such as  biscuits, cakes, chips, and crackers.
  • Kosher food including meat and dairy can be bought at the KosherMart at the JCC. There is a meat restaurant at the JCC, as well as a dairy one (Seven Zero on L2) which can provide take-away birthday cakes, pizza, pasta and more. Contact events@jcc.org.hk for more information.

GENERAL INFORMATION

MEAT

  • Beef, chicken, lamb are examples of kosher animals. These items must have kosher certification on them.
  • Meat must be eaten separately from dairy. It cannot be mixed or eaten at the same meal.
  • All meat products need to be prepared in a Kosher kitchen.

DAIRY

  • Milk and dairy products need to come from kosher animals.
  • Dairy products need kosher certification.
  • Dairy cannot be mixed with meat or be served at the same meal.
  • All cooked dairy products need to be prepared in a Kosher kitchen.

PAREVE

  • Food that is not meat or dairy is pareve.
  • Pareve food can be eaten with dairy or meat.
  • Fish, eggs, vegetables, fruit, oil, mayonnaise, nuts, rice, pasta, bread are examples of pareve food.
  • To be kosher, a fish must have fins and scales.
  • Salmon, tuna, cod, sea bass are examples of kosher fish.
  • Only eggs from kosher birds or fish can be eaten.

KOSHER SYMBOLS

Kosher food products will have kosher certification printed on them. Examples of kosher certification symbols:


When kosher symbols have the letter “D” or “Dairy” attached, it means the food is dairy.

 

SHABBAT AND JEWISH FESTIVALS

Shabbat, the most sacred day of the week, is the Jewish sabbath that takes place from sunset on Friday until nightfall on Saturday. Shabbat is a time where we rest and spend time with family. We do not work, write, use the phone, do homework, go shopping, drive cars, or even turn on/off electricity.

We request that you avoid arranging activities on Shabbat or during Jewish holidays.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I host a birthday party for my child? Mazal tov! We request that birthday parties do not take place on the Jewish Sabbath (Friday night to Saturday night) or during Jewish holidays, and that you are mindful about providing Kosher food as above. 

JCC has birthday packages including event spaces, food specials, and can cater if you are hosting the party somewhere else. Contact events@jcc.org.hk for more information

Our house is not kosher, can we still have playdates in our home? Yes, absolutely! Fresh fruit and raw vegetables are a great snack, as well as simple jam sandwiches

  • Pizza and other food can be ordered at the JCC, and an assortment of kosher snacks can be bought at the JCC KosherMart
  • Other examples of kosher snacks: Smoked salmon, avocado, egg and mayonnaise, tuna and mayonnaise, Hummus and pita

Help! I’m still confused. We’re here to help! Contact your class representative or the PTA (pta@carmel.edu.hk) to be directed.