Frequently Asked Questions

I'm interested! Can I apply?

Applications are now closed for Fall 2024

Yes! Click on the link in the title bar, "Apply Now," for the application and the most up-to-date information on when it's due. Prospective Bayit residents must fill out an application and participate in a Zoom interview. Applicants are also highly encouraged to join us for dinner at the night of their choosing! This process helps us to determine whether you would enjoy living at the Bayit and would be an asset to the Bayit community. 

Contact bayitrecruiter@gmail.com with questions. 

If I am not a typical undergrad Student, can I still live at the Bayit?

Yes (probably)! The Bayit is open to both graduate and undergraduate students. During the academic year, all full-time students at Columbia and affiliated schools may live at the Bayit (including Teacher's College!). However, part time students cannot live at the Bayit, with the exception of Columbia/Barnard second-semester seniors. This also unfortunately does not include JTS students who are not in a joint program with Columbia or Barnard. 

Is the Bayit Community accommodating of my Jewish practice and identity?

Yes! The Bayit community is committed to Jewish pluralism and diversity, and to providing a warm and welcoming home to Jewish students from any type of background. Residents come from a variety of Jewish backgrounds and denominations. For over 50 years, the Bayit has been home to heimishe yeshiva bachurim, Jewish feminists, Trad Egal Jews, crunchy Jewish backpackers, secular Israelis, religious Zionists, unaffiliated secular Jews and many more all living together under one roof. Residents represent a diverse range of academic interests, scholarly pursuits, and ages. Our kitchen is strictly kosher to ensure that all Jews feel comfortable eating in our house, but we also provide space for you to store personal non-kosher food. Similarly, while our lounge and kitchen are Sabbath-observant spaces, we allow technology, writing, and instruments in our lounge during Shabbat and other Jewish holidays. We also have a non-kosher microwave and toaster for your convenience. The Bayit is welcoming to all kinds of Jews, and gives you an opportunity for Jewish learning and growth, too. 

How does the Food Co-Op work? Is it okay if I don't know how to cook or keep Kosher?

Yes! It's ok if you've never kept kosher or cooked for a crowd before; we will teach you everything you need to know! Once every 3-4 weeks every Bayit resident is required to prepare dinner (with a cooking partner) for the house. These communal dinners are served Monday through Thursday usually at 7:30 PM. Friday night dinner is potluck-style, meaning whoever wants to participate is asked to bring some sort of food to contribute.  Even if you have little prior cooking experience, we will help you learn how to cook in large quantities and give you a great cooking partner. We also use our community funds (kuppah) to purchase food to keep our fridge stocked; you can make yourself breakfast or lunch, make some cupcakes, or meal-prep to meet your needs. Because we buy in bulk, we can get lots of food out of our kuppah funds. 

I heard you have to do chores... is that true? 

Yes! Bayit members are responsible for performing tasks (toranut) as they are assigned or as needed (e.g. taking out trash, cleaning the common spaces, dish washing, etc.). These tasks are done once a week on Sunday night and are checked by the Toranut Coordinator. The tasks are rotated between residents each week. Every bayitnik is responible for cleaning their shared bathroom (with 1 or 3 others, depending on the room). Some Bayitniks also take on additional responsibilites like serving on our executive board, sorting the mail, or helping run our kitchen.

I have a dietary restriction. Can I still eat at the Bayit?

Yes! We can accommodate most dietary restrictions (gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, vegetarian, vegan, etc) and we require that communal meals meet everyone's needs, providing every bayitnik with a protein, vegetable, and a starch they can eat. If your situation is complicated, or you have a severe allergy, we recommend reaching out when you apply. We can tell you more about our kitchen and help you learn if it will be comfortable for you to share food with us. 

How are the rooms? Will I get a single?

Yes! Everyone in the Bayit gets a single room, and there are several different categories, each with their own peculiarities; the five smallest rooms are cheaper, the next smallest ten rooms have attached storage, the ten larger rooms have two windows and a street view, and the largest five rooms are absolutely enormous. You'll be assigned one of the smaller rooms when you move in with the opportunity to move to a nicer room through a room lottery (based on seniority) at the end of each semester. You can see pictures of a few of the different floor plans in our Virtual Tour. 

Do you have laundry?

Yes! It's in our basement, and the machines are free to use! We have two washers and two dryers. We buy detergent (and usually dryer sheets) with our house funds, Kuppah, so you won't have to worry about purchasing it for yourself. And we have a group chat that you can text when someone leaves their stuff in the washer, so you can get your well-deserve suds! 

Is the Bayit a time commitment? 

Yes! Living at the Bayit involves completing cleaning assignments, cooking dinner, attending meetings, and (potentially) serving on the executive board. In addition, we ask that you are prepared to contribute to the house socially––to be present and engaged for at least a few hours a week. Bayitniks say that they get out of the house what they put into it, so we urge applicants to consider whether they have the social, extracurricular, and academic bandwidth to contribute to our culture in a consistent and meaningful way. 

I am up against a housing deadline; if I don't get into the Bayit, will I still have time to find a dorm?

Yes! The first round of Bayit decisions will go out before the Columbia and Barnard undergraduate housing registration deadlines. For grad housing deadlines, please reach out (bayitrecruiter@gmail.com) and we'll let you know about the timing. 

Can I live in the Bayit during the summer? 

Yes! You can live in the Bayit during the summer through a summer sublet, or you can coordinate early move-in through Columbia Residential. If you are considering living in the Bayit during the summer, reach out to bayitrecruiter@gmail.com.

My housing situation is complicated. Should I get in touch?

Yes! Feel free to get in touch with one of us at bayitrecruiter@gmail.com. We have have a lot of experience with the housing systems at Columbia, Barnard, and JTS. We can advise you if you're unsure if you can live with us; ask us for help!