Participants of All Ages Explore the Halachos, Challenges, and Global Impact of Kashrus Certification
OU Kosher Rabbinic Coordinator and Safra D’dayna Rabbi Eli Gersten delivers a shiur at Minneapolis Community Kollel
Hundreds of members of Minneapolis’ frum kehilla recently got an insider’s look into kashrus certification, thanks to ASK OU (Advanced Seminars in Kashrus), OU Kosher’s one-of-a-kind educational initiative that brings expert-led presentations and workshops to kehillos, schools, shuls, and kollelim in collaboration with local kashrus councils.
As the world’s largest and most widely recognized kosher certification agency, OU Kosher certifies 1.5 million products manufactured in 15,000 plants across 108 countries, covering two-thirds of all kosher food in the United States.
Over two days, OU Kosher’s Managing Director Community Relations Rabbi Eli Eleff; Rabbinic Coordinator and Safra D’dayna Rabbi Eli Gersten; and Rabbinic Coordinator Rabbi Chaim Goldberg visited seven locations, sharing halachos and industry expertise with people of all ages.
“We feel that it’s important to bring kashrus information to consumers where they are,” says Rabbi Eleff. “Beyond giving hashgachos, one of OU Kosher’s missions is to support communities and equip them with the knowledge to keep kashrus to the highest standards.”
As the administrator of Minnesota Kosher, the local vaad hakashrus, Rabbi Eli Markowitz was eager to host ASK OU in his community.
“I’m the primary kashrus contact in town, and often get dozens of daily kashrus questions regarding many products, including OU Kosher-certified ones,” he says. “I wanted our community to benefit from the halachic expertise of the OU, and appreciate the significance of kosher certification both on a communal level and on a global scale.”
At Kollel Lomdei Torah, Rabbi Gersten delivered a shiur on the halachos and OU practices related to bedikas tolayim. Later, at Minneapolis Community Kollel, he spoke about the halachos that caterers must adhere to around Shabbos food preparation, including shehiya, chazara, and hatmana. He also discussed halachos related to OU Kosher-certified appliances, including those with Shabbos modes or recalibration features.
“I was extremely impressed with the high level of Torah learning in Minneapolis,” Rabbi Gersten reflects. “The kollelim are serious places of learning. The yungeleit were very receptive and these shiurim were followed by another 30 minutes of spirited questions and answers.”
The OU Kosher rabbonim also brought kashrus to life for high school and middle school students at the Yeshiva of Minneapolis, Torah Academy (boys’ and girls’ divisions), and Bais Yaakov High School of the Twin Cities. In “Kosher 101,” led by Rabbi Eleff, students gained hands-on insight into the fundamentals of kashrus, including ingredients, production processes, finished products, and what mashgichim look for when certifying food as kosher. Meanwhile, Rabbi Goldberg, who oversees fish production for OU Kosher, captivated students with lively presentations on the kashrus of fish. The rabbonim also answered common questions about products like Slurpees, Oreos, and Starbucks coffee.
OU Kosher Rabbinic Coordinator Rabbi Chaim Goldberg presented a workshop at Yeshiva of Minneapolis
OU Kosher Rabbinic Coordinator Rabbi Chaim Goldberg presented a workshop at Yeshiva of Minneapolis
Rabbis Eleff, Gersten, and Goldberg also met with local shul rabbonim to discuss communal kashrus issues and ways OU Kosher could offer support. ASK OU’s impact was perhaps most evident at an evening program at Congregation Bais Yisroel, the largest frum shul in Minneapolis, which drew 120 men and women despite sub-zero temperatures.
The dynamic session, which ran significantly overtime due to attendees’ interest, explored the breadth and scope of OU Kosher’s worldwide work, recent changes in the beer and liquor industry that have made kosher certification essential, and the kashrus of fish — a topic that Rabbi Markowitz believes particularly resonated with participants.
“As we don’t have a kosher-certified fish store in Minneapolis, many people weren’t aware of the complexities involved in buying fish,” he says. “At the same time, they appreciated the clarity provided at the session, which now enables them to know exactly which fish they can purchase.”
The presentation was followed by a Q&A session which only ended because Maariv was scheduled to begin at 10 p.m.
“One can see from the strong turnout and the questions that were submitted that this is a community with high standards, who appreciate what the OU does, and that we came,” reflects Rabbi Gersten.
Eli Gersten discussed recent kashrus developments at the community-wide program at Congregation Bais Yisroel.
Rabbi Yechezkel Greenberg is the Rav of Congregation Bais Yisroel, and says that ASK OU generated tremendous interest from the kehilla.
“Kashrus is always evolving, and it’s invaluable to hear from the professionals who possess the expertise. Beyond sharing such important information, the OU Kosher rabbonim kept everyone fully engaged with eye-opening presentations. Our kehilla is deeply grateful to OU Kosher and the rabbonim, who dedicated so much time and effort to prepare for this visit. They are providing a tremendous service to Klal Yisrael, l’Shem Shamayim. Sharing their knowledge with communities across the U.S. is truly wonderful.”
To bring ASK OU to your community, contact OU Kosher Community Relations at 212-613-0602 or koshereducation@ou.org
CONTACT:
Rabbi Eli Eleff
Managing Director of Marketing and Community Relations
OU Kosher
212-613-8352
About OU Kosher
OU (Orthodox Union) Kosher is the world’s largest and most widely recognized international kosher certification agency, certifying 1.5 million products produced in more than 15,000 plants located in 108 countries around the world. The agency certifies two-thirds of all kosher-certified foods in the United States.
About the Orthodox Union
Founded in 1898, the Orthodox Union (OU), or Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, serves as the voice of American Orthodox Jewry, with over 400 congregations in its synagogue network. As the umbrella organization for American Orthodox Jewry, the OU is at the forefront of advocacy work on both state and federal levels, outreach to Jewish teens and young professionals through NCSY, Israel Free Spirit Birthright, Yachad and OU Press, among many other divisions and programs.
