Halal Meals Highlighted in NYC Summer Program — But Kosher Food Requires Special Request

NEW YORK – New York City’s Department of Education is offering free halal meals at more than two dozen sites as part of its summer food initiative for youth — yet kosher meals are only available by special request and are not listed publicly.

The citywide program, open to all children under 18 regardless of school enrollment, provides free breakfast and lunch at hundreds of locations including public schools, parks, pools, and libraries. No paperwork, ID, or registration is required.

While halal meal options are featured on DOE menus and promoted online, there is no mention of kosher options for observant Jewish families. When asked, DOE officials clarified that kosher meals must be specially ordered in advance — and that no requests had been received so far.

The omission has drawn concern from Jewish advocates.

“It sends a troubling message when halal meals are advertised and kosher meals are hidden behind red tape,” said Karen Feldman, a longtime public school teacher and co-founder of a group combating antisemitism in NYC schools. “Families who keep kosher should feel just as welcome and included in public programs.”

The DOE does not track students by religion, but roughly 100,000 Muslim students attend city public schools, while over 100,000 Jewish children are enrolled in private Jewish schools across the five boroughs.

Kosher meals, if requested, would include packaged items such as tuna or egg salad sandwiches, fruit, and milk. In contrast, halal offerings are featured on rotating menus and include hot items like chicken sandwiches, beef patties, and falafel.

Advocates argue that kosher meals should be as accessible and visible as halal ones — especially considering the large Jewish population in the city, and the documented levels of poverty affecting thousands of observant families.

Security of supply and fairness in access remain major concerns. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a similar controversy erupted when Jewish leaders demanded inclusion of kosher food in the city’s emergency meal distributions. That tension appears to persist in today’s summer programs.

A spokesperson for the DOE said, “We’re proud to once again offer free meals this summer to support New York City’s children,” but did not directly address the disparity in how religious dietary accommodations are being publicized.