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Wednesday, October 06, 2010
I have heard it said that running a successful kosher program is as easy as PIE: Products, Ingredients and Equipment. One must keep an updated schedule B (products) an updated schedule A (ingredients) and have a proper system for keeping track of the kosher/pareve status of equipment. I would like to add another interpretation to this wise adage. Running a successful kosher program is as easy as π (as in 3.14159…).
Product formulas are not the only formulas that one needs to understand in assessing a kosher program; sometimes we must employ mathematical formulas as well. If we are required to verify the volume contained inside of a pipe we must understand the formula V= πr2h. If we must figure out the volume of the metal of the pipe we must understand the formula V= πh(R2- r2). And if we need to know how much product flowed through a pipe, well, it can get complicated very quickly.
In a more complex question relating to inlet and outlet flows, we consulted with Dr. Don Engelberg, Professor of Physics, Queensboro Community College in New York. We needed to answer the following question. Oil was drawn off a tank at a certain rate and was being replaced at a different rate. In this case the kosher status of the equipment would be determined by whether or not most of the original oil would be replaced within 24 hours.
If, for example, the tank initially held 400 gallons of oil, had an intake rate of 10 gallons/hour and an outlet rate of 12 gallons/hour, would the tank remain kosher? Dr. Engelberg crafted for us the following formula for answering this question.
X = V * (1 + ((I – O) * T / V))O/(O – I)
where:
X = Volume of old oil left at the end (in gallons)
V = Initial volume in tank (in gallons)
I = Intake rate (in gallons per hour)
O = Outlet rate (in gallons per hour)
T = Time elapsed (in hours)
In this case V = 400; I = 10; O = 12 and T = 24. Solving, we find that the volume of old oil left at the end (X) = 186 gallons. Since this is less than half of the original amount, the tank will remain kosher. Easy as pie.
Rabbi Eli Gersten serves as OU rabbinic coordinator – recorder of OU policy. In that important capacity, he works closely with the OU’s senior rabbinic team that reviews and formulates OU Kosher policy. A frequent contributor to BTUS, his “The Science of Kosher Materials” appeared in the Spring 2010 issue.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, actually visiting a place, interacting with the people and seeing what they do and how first-hand is transcendental. Recently, I had the privilege of making my second trip to Peru. The purpose? To better understand the country and the business environment so that the OU can best service both current and potential kosher clients. To that end, I met with several Peruvian firms and also spent critical time with Mr. Sandro Monteblanco (the OU Business Liaison in Peru – featured in the last BTUS), as well as members of the local Jewish community.
I came away with a far greater understanding and appreciation for just how great the potential for kosher is in Peru. Peru is a growing economy and firms there are increasingly export oriented – especially to the United States and Europe. As we do throughout the world, the OU is working to develop local infrastructure to ensure great service at reasonable fees. Much of the potential for kosher in Peru lies with small to medium commodity companies exporting raw materials like cocoa beans and quinoa. But, make no mistake. Peru also has established companies which stand to benefit from the market penetration OU certification brings.
Some of the more prominent OU certified companies are Alicorp – Peru’s largest processor of edible oils and Innova Andina – a major player in high end oleoresins and natural food colorants. By working with people like Mr. Monteblanco, an attorney and local business consultant and by establishing ties whenever possible with local Jewish communities, the OU continues to ensure both excellent quality and service throughout the world.
As most readers of BTUS are aware, the Orthodox Union is much more than the world’s premier kosher certifying agency. In fact, OU Kosher is but one division of a much larger communal organization whose raison d’être is support and assistance to Jewish communities throughout the world. During this trip, I spent important quality time getting to know the rabbi and key members of the Union Israelita del Peru, Lima’s Ashkenazi (European) Orthodox Jewish community. The community dates back to well before World War II and its founding members hale primarily from Eastern Europe. Today’s Peruvian community (mainly in Lima) has approximately 3,000 members. Union Israelita, while only one segment, supports daily services as well as regular community events. It is anticipated that the OU will work with this community on many levels in the future, including, when appropriate, on kosher certification.
It was a real pleasure spending time with the community rabbi, Itay Meushar, as well as Mr. Arieh Halperin, who has primary field responsibility for Union Israelita’s kosher supervision. Their input was most valuable – especially in setting up Innova Andina’s OU program. Innova Andina has been certified by the Kosher Peru (Union Israelita’s kosher certificate) for many years and their experience helped us design the OU program. Working together, we are able to build on the local community’s work and put into place important changes necessary to the company’s new OU Kosher status.
Most of my recent trip was spent in the bustling metropolis of Lima. There, in addition to meeting Mr. Monteblanco and the rabbis, I visited the facilities of two new OU applicants: Innova Andina and Interamsa. As mentioned above, Innova Andina is a world player in pepper and marigold derived oleoresins and natural food colors. Interamsa processes and packages various peas and beans – with a specialty in quinoa and amaranth – both increasingly demanded by health conscious consumers. Peru is one of the world centers for growing and processing these highly nutritious grains.
A real adventure awaited me when I visited the facilities of Cooperativa Agraria Cacaotera/ACOPAGRO Ltda (ACOPAGRO for short) in the jungle regions of Peru. This innovative company is a cooperative of small farmers producing high end organic and fair-trade certified coconut and cocoa beans. To see these facilities, I flew into Tarapoto, Peru. From there, we drove following the Huallaga River (a feeder to the Amazon) to the towns of Bella Vista and Juanjui. ACOPAGRO’s coconut processing is in Bella Vista; the main cocoa handling facility is in Juanjui.
As you can imagine, the jungle is a dramatic change from Lima, a sprawling city along Peru’s Pacific coast. Like much of the Pacific Coast of South America, Lima is, essentially, a desert. As May is late autumn in Peru, Lima was cloudy and damp (it almost never actually rains). Tarapoto, by contrast, is in the Peruvian jungle. The entire region is rural (there is essentially only one main road), verdant, sunny, hot and humid! The countryside is truly exquisite! While the drive is an adventure, it is well worth it (at least once).
From sprawling Lima to the Andes Mountains to the Amazon jungle, Peru is a land of great diversity and opportunity. The OU is proud to welcome the many companies who have recently come on board there and looks forward to working with many more. As our local resources and infrastructure improve, we are able to service more and more companies quickly and competitively. As the international market for kosher certified goods continues to expand, the OU will continue to work tirelessly to bring the opportunity of the world’s premier kosher certification to anyone who asks.
Rabbi Aharon J. Brun-Kestler has nearly twenty years of experience working in all aspects of kosher. Today, Rabbi Brun-Kestler manages nearly 200 OU client portfolios in a broad range of industries. Recently, he had the privilege of working with a variety of South American companies seeking OU Kosher endorsement. Rabbi Brun-Kestler received his rabbinical ordination from OU Kosher halachic consultant Rabbi Yisroel Belsky and holds an MA in English Literature from Northeastern University.
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Rudolf Jelínek is a joint stock company engaged in the production of alcoholic beverages and currently ranks among the major producers of fruit brandy in the world. The company was founded in 1894 and follows a 400–year-old tradition of slivovitz-making in Walachia, Czech Republic.
The first written record of the existence of a distillery was found in the land and duties register of the Vizovice estate from 1585. The Wallachian climate is ideal for fruit trees and especially for plums. Traditionally, plums were made into jam or were dried. The production of the famed slivovitz began around the middle of the 18th century. Among the firms that were founded in Vizovice during that century, the company of Zikmund Jelínek, the father of Rudolf Jelínek, gradually became well-known.
The Razov agricultural production facility founded in 1894 made increased production possible. In 1934, after achieving kosher certification, Jelínek started exporting its kosher slivovitz around the world, giving the product widespread recognition. Exports increased, particularly before World War II. In addition to kosher spirits the company also produced cognac and apple brandy among other products.
On the threshold of the 21st century, Rudolf Jelínek a.s. is the biggest producer of distilled fruit beverages in Central Europe. Today, the heritage of the Jelínek family and the centuries of distilling tradition in Wallachia continue to attract satisfied consumers.
Currently the exports of Rudolf Jelínek a.s. constitute 27 percent of the firm’s sales, a percentage that continues to grow. Following the split of Czechoslovakia into two countries, a significant quantity of exports goes to neighboring Slovakia, while the United States remains an important customer. Other countries importing Rudolf Jelínek’s products are Austria, Hungary and Germany as well as Canada, Australia and South Africa. The company anticipates expansion of its export trade in future years, especially to Poland and Russia.
Rudolf Jelínek has complied with the strict criteria for kosher production since 1934. The firm has exported kosher slivovitz and juniper brandy to the United States where it met with a warm response from the Jewish community, especially in New York. Within a short time, Rudolf Jelínek rose to second place in the export of pure spirits to the U.S.
With the exception of the Second World War, kosher production has continued without interruption, with its kosher products comprising some of the most prestigious items made by the company. Besides Silver Slivovitz for Passover and Kosher Gold Slivovitz 10 Year, the company also sells Bohemia Plum Vodka and Pear Williams Brandy among other products. Customers include the United States (distibuted through the renowned importers Royal Wine Corp. and Kedem), Austria, France, Belgium, Canada and Australia. Recognizing the need for an internationally recognized and respected kosher certification, Jelinek attained OU certification in 1999.
Jelínek premium products are already available in more than 25 states (including New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, California and Nevada) with the number constantly growing.
The following Rudolf Jelínek products are available domestically: Kosher Gold Plum Brandy 750 ml, aged 10 years; Kosher Slivovitz 750 ml, aged 5 years; Silver Slivovitz, Kosher for Passover 750 ml; Kosher Pear Williams 750 ml; Bohemia Plum Vodka 750 ml. Visit our websites at http://www.rjelinek.cz and http://www.rjelinek.us.
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