Going Kosher Doubles Sales at Maryland College Arena

Summer represents an accounting of sorts for academic institutions, and at the University of Maryland, the numbers are up in one particular field.

Concession sales have doubled since the November opening of Testudo’s Kosher Korner at the Xfinity Center at the University of Maryland. The basketball arena began serving kosher deli sandwiches there, in addition to falafel, hot pretzels and popcorn.

Sophomore Rebecca Goldstein, a psychology major, is grateful for the ability to buy kosher food at sports events.

“The kosher food stand has positively affected the campus because it is a place where people are genuinely excited to stop by for both the food and to see friends working at the counter,” said Goldstein, who is originally from Stamford, Conn. “It has not only enabled students who eat kosher to have the ability to go to games and not worry about missing dinner, but it also provides people who might not always keep kosher the option to buy kosher and delicious food.”

Maryland has one of the largest Jewish enrollment rates at American universities, representing as much as 30 percent of the overall student body of more than 35,000.

Jewish students say they appreciate the availability of kosher food at sports events, as well as seeing friends work the counter.

“It’s great to see the crowd outside the stand during halftime at a game. It looks like a smorgasbord at a Jewish event; everyone is talking and catching up with old friends,” said Rabbi Eli Backman, co-director of the Bais Menachem Chabad Jewish Student Center with his wife, Nechama.

“The addition of kosher food at the stadium has had a tremendous impact on our campus,” he continued. “We have seen wonderful growth in Jewish and kosher awareness since the introduction of kosher food, and have met many more Jewish students as a result. More people are drawn to eating kosher now that it’s available.”

Zach Wohlberg regularly bought food from the stand, and this fall, the sophomore intends to volunteer there as well.

“The kosher food gives Jewish students even more options regarding religious life on campus. We can now attend basketball games and purchase food like all other students with ease,” said Wohlberg, a finance major who also happens to be from Stamford. “The kosher stand gives me more confidence and pride in the Jewish community on campus, especially in the fact that we can support one at sports events—even making an increase in overall sales.”

And for Wohlberg, the warm greeting from Rabbi Backman that regularly comes along with an order is as satisfying as the pastrami on rye.

Alumni Tamar May and Rachel Rosner return to the University of Maryland for a game and to visit Rabbi Eli Backman, co-director of the Bais Menachem Chabad Jewish Student Center, at the kosher food stand with his daughter, Chaiky.