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Thursday, December 09, 2004
As rabbis and certifying agencies involved in the supervision of kosher meat slaughter in the United States, we are deeply concerned that the recent publicity surrounding the videotape released by a group called People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals may lead to misconceptions about the practices depicted on the videotape and, more generally, about the shechita process itself. We therefore wish to state as follows:
1. Shechita involves the slicing or cutting of the trachea and esophagus with a sharp knife without nicks in a manner which has been established over centuries to be the most humane form of animal slaughter. Shechita typically renders the animal insensible almost instantaneously.
2. After the animal has been rendered insensible, it is entirely possible that it may still display certain reflexive actions, including those shown in images portrayed in the video. These reflexive actions should not be mistaken for signs of consciousness or pain, and they do not affect the kosher status of the slaughtered animal’s meat. There may be exceptional circumstances when, due to the closing of jugular veins or a carotid artery after the shechita cut, or due to the non-complete severance of an artery or vein, the animal may rise up on its legs and walk around. Cases when animals show such signs of life after the slaughter process are extremely rare, and even such an event would not invalidate the shechita if the trachea and esophagus were severed in the shechita cut.
3. With the act of shechita, it is common to cut the carotid arteries, a practice designed to facilitate bleeding and accelerate unconsciousness. Excision of the trachea, however, is not common practice. We wish to make clear that nothing in any such post-shechita “second cut” or excision in any way undermines the validity of the shechita itself or the kosher status of the slaughtered animal’s meat. We further note that regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture explicitly approve a second cut to facilitate bleeding.
4. We reaffirm our commitment to the Jewish mandate of avoiding “tzaar baalei chayim,” unnecessary pain to any creature. We reiterate that the shechita process embodies this very mandate. We rededicate ourselves to the ongoing responsibility of ensuring strict compliance with all religious and federal laws governing kosher slaughter.
Rabbi Yisroel Belsky
Halachic Consultant
Orthodox Union
Rabbi Sholem Fishbane
Kosher Administrator
Chicago Rabbinical Council
Rabbi Menachem Genack
Rabbinic Administrator
Kashrus Division
Orthodox Union
Rabbi Asher Hatchuel
Rabbinic Head
Sephardic Beth Din of America
Rabbi Moshe Heinemann
Rabbinic Administrator
Star-K Certification
Rabbi Emanuel Holzer
Chairman, Kashrus Committee
Rabbinical Council of America
Rabbi Chaim Kohn
Rabbinic Administrator
Khal Adas Jeshurun
Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz
Head of Beth Din
Chicago Rabbinical Council
Rabbi Yitzchok Stein
Rabbinic Head
Beth Din of Karlsburg
Rabbi Yechiel Steinmetz
Rabbinic Judge
Monsey, NY
Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum
Nirbater Rav
Rabbinic Supervisor
Alle Processing Corporation
Rabbi Menachem Meir Weissmandl
Rabbinic Head
Nitra Beth Din of Monsey
Thursday, November 25, 2004
IN 2005 the Aquathin Corp. USA will celebrate its Silver Anniversary,
and among those wishing the firm a Happy Anniversary is the Orthodox Union, given the close working relationship they share.
Aquathin, based in Pompano Beach, FL, manufactures a broad spectrum of unique and patented water purification, softening and filtration systems servicing the residential, commercial and laboratory
markets both domestic and international.  Established in 1980 by the
father and son team of Mitchell and Alfred Lipshultz, Aquathin now
produces over 70 patented and trademarked devices for markets
around the world through more than 600 authorized dealers.
Aquathin is an E.P.A. Registered manufacturer, ISO 9000 Compliant
and recipient of the prestigious President’s Excellence Award in
Export from the U.S. Commerce Department. It addition, it received
the Nation’s Blue Chip Enterprise Award from the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce.
Aquathin is truly a rags to riches story, with the firm starting out
with a 900 square foot warehouse and seed money of $14,000 and
going through a period when it was not certain it could meet its payroll
– one employee – to its current statusfeaturing a 60,000 square foot
facility complete with training schools, plus an excellent industry
and international reputation.
The company has a very impressive global client list, which includes
the military, embassies, museums, hi-tech factories, hospitals and bottled water companies around the world. Recently Aquathin launched
two projects several years in the making: for Authorized Aquathin
Dealers to provide total home air and water security; and for “Sweetwater” water dispensing sites, with Texaco as a prominent client in the Caribbean.
Much of this success results from Aquathin’s ties with the OU. In 1992 Aquathin became the first manufacturer of water treatment equipment to receive kosher certification and it chose to do so through Orthodox Union. Mitchell Lipshultz recognized that there was a substantial domestic market for kosher certified products, and that in order to establish a base in Middle East and Muslim nations, kosher certification would be an extraordinary addition to company’s already impressive resume of achievements.
Domestic dealers are trained at “Aquathin University” to understand
the benefits of kosher certification and that such certification appears
on the labels of high quality products wherever food is sold. During several Aquathin University classes, OU rabbis have been present, leading students to remark that they found their presence to be astonishing, moving and noteworthy. Aquathin Corp. USA is a member of the Florida Department of Agriculture’s “Kosher From Florida” and “Fresh From Florida” marketing programs.
The Lipshultz Family is delighted with Aquathin’s ties to the Orthodox Union and is pleased to receive the OU’s congratulations on the firm’s Silver Anniversary and its longstanding commitment to excellence and water quality.
Monday, November 22, 2004
Impulse Energy Drinks are the first in its category to have OU Certification. According to Impulse, it’s an momentous marriage between the “Worlds Best Tasting Energy Drink” voted by Americas Food and Beverage Association and the “World’s Best-Known Kosher Trademark.”
“Impulse made a smart and innovative decision to become Kosher. From my experience and years with the Orthodox Union, I have been privy to witness the growing amount of products requesting to go kosher. With all the health concerns surfacing, being kosher has become a mainstream market demand. Impulse’s initiative and eagerness to go kosher proves to me that they are dedicated to customer satisfaction.” Rabbi Elefant, Orthodox Union.
Impulse strategically made a decision to make their complete line of energy drinks Kosher – IMPULSE ENERGY Original, IMPULSE EXTREME Sugar Free Triple the Energy & IMPULSE ZERO Zero Sugar & Zero Carbs & Zero Calories. Impulse recognized there was no energy drink available to the people who follow kosher dietary laws. Knowing how fast and promising the energy drink category is, Impulse acted immediately. Impulse is constantly improving and developing innovations that directly respond and satisfy today’s consumer demands. Being able to market Impulse as great tasting, sophisticated, lifestyle and NOW KOSHER energy drinks only opens the door to a huge amount of business and enter new channels of trade.
“I am very excited to hear that there is finally a Kosher Energy Drink in the marketplace and that Impulse has made energy drinks available for those who are conscientious about kosher dietary laws.” Rabbi Shmuel Goldstein, Lam-Aid Judaic Learning Services.
Impulse Beverage Company is leading the next generation of energy drinks by going beyond their promise to stimulate your senses, activate your body, motivate your mind, strengthen your ability, and improve your performance. The award winning combination of great taste, proven immediate functionality, nutrient, vitamin & mineral composition, and NOW KOSHER along with its modern packaging and intelligent business strategy, positions Impulse as the serious contender in the ever-evolving intensifying energy drink category.
Impulse Beverage Company is leading the next generation of energy drinks. The award winning combination of great taste, proven functionality, modern packaging and intelligent business strategy positions Impulse Energy Drinks to be able to compete successfully as the serious contender in the ever-evolving intensifying energy drink category. Impulse hit the market in 2001, with distribution limited to the South Florida market. According to plan, in just three years Impulse has become the preferred beverage choice of Miami’s famous South Beach. The brand is demonstrating consistent triple digit growth and worldwide awareness. As a result of the strong South Florida market presence and multi-cultural acceptance, Impulse created a high international demand. By year-end, Impulse Energy Drinks will be distributed in 25 countries. Impulse is widely recognized within the international industry as the most promising and best tasting energy drink manufactured and marketed in the USA.
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