On a visit to the United States, Rabbi Yona Metzger, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, accepted an invitation from Rabbi Menachem Genack, Chief Executive Officer of OU Kashrut, to visit the Kosher Division and to learn about how it certifies more than 400,000 products in 83 countries around the world.
Rabbi Metzger was informed that the staff of some 50 rabbinic coordinators, based at the OU’s New York headquarters, monitors the work of rabbinic field representatives around the world.
“Rabbi Metzger recognized the OU and its staff for their wonderful achievements in the certification of products around the world and in setting standards for kosher certification,” declared Rabbi Genack. “He urged us to be constantly vigilant regarding anything that can happen in a factory situation – which of course reflects OU policy in our work.”
In addition, according to Rabbi Moshe Elefant, Chief Operating Officer of OU Kosher, “The visit of Rabbi Metzger marks a continuing tradition of Chief Rabbis visiting OU headquarters and reflects the close working and cooperative relationships that exist between the Orthodox Union and the Chief Rabbinate.”
“In our discussion with Rabbi Metzger,” added Rabbi Elefant, “we agreed to strengthen our ties by offering the Chief Rabbinate access to our database of kosher certified products. Rabbi Metzger was extremely grateful for this offer.”
After visiting OU headquarters, Rabbi Yona Metzger traveled with Rabbi Genack to the Empire Kosher Poultry slaughterhouse in Mifflintown, PA, where Rabbi Metzger was impressed both by the quality of the schochtim (ritual slaughterers) and mashgichim (the kosher certifiers) and by the excellent kashrut program in place.