Consumer Kosher Articles
A Giant in Our Midst: The Legacy of Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky zt”l at the OU
Last week, the OU suffered an enormous loss with the passing of Moreinu Virabeinu, Harav Hagaon, Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky zt”l, who provided halachic and spiritual guidance to the OU Kashrus Department for more than 28 years. The OU was not the only organization to experience an enormous loss. Rabbi Belsky had an amazing array of talents and […]
Rabbi Belsky Remembered
I was not a talmid of Rabbi Belsky in Yeshiva Torah Vodaath or in Camp Agudah as I did not attend either. My association with Rabbi Belsky was in the OU where I had the great zechus of interacting with him on kashruth matters, so my recollections of him are mostly anecdotal. Rabbi Yisroel Belsky […]
What Could Be Wrong With… Fish?
One of the most serious misimpression’s that persist in the minds of kosher consumers is the belief that one can eat inherently kosher foods prepared in non-kosher restaurants. Professionals are often under great pressure to go out with clients or colleagues to lunch and dinner. When kosher restaurants are not available, people rationalize that they […]
OU Medical Marijuana Statement
Recently, the OU granted certification to pharmaceutical-grade medical marijuana extract products manufactured by Vireo Health of New York. There has been much confusion and misinformation about these products, and the OU has received numerous communications expressing surprise about the OU decision to grant certification to marijuana products. Two main concerns have been expressed: a) OU endorsement […]
What Could Be Wrong With the “K?”
A number of years ago, an OU-certified company requested authorization to use “Charlie’s Bread Crumbs” in their product. Since a “K” was prominently displayed on the bread crumb label, I called the Charlie company to inquire which rabbi provided their kosher supervision. Mr. Johnson politely advised me that they were under the strict supervision of […]
Pass the Latkes!
My mother a”h used to fry everything. Potatoes, meatballs, chicken, veal—you name it! If it could be batter dipped, even better! Even today, when I smell fried foods my mouth begins to water. As an adult who is somewhat health conscious, I generally do not eat fried foods. Don’t get me wrong: fried foods are […]
OU KOSHER Returns To Brooklyn With Program At Agudas Yisroel Bais Binyomin Featuring Rabbis Genack, Elefant and Fuchs: Bedikas Toyloim Guide to be Distributed
Orthodox Union kashrus experts will return to Brooklyn on Sunday evening January 3, 2016 to provide an expected large crowd of men and women with a high-level shiur on various aspects of kashrus. The program, one in a continuing series of Harry H. Beren ASK OU OUTREACH sessions, will be held at 8:00 p.m. at […]
What Could Be Wrong With… The “K”?
WHAT COULD BE WRONG WITH THE “K”? A number of years ago, an OU-certified company requested authorization to use “Charlie’s Bread Crumbs” in their product. Since a “K” was prominently displayed on the bread crumb label, I called the Charlie company to inquire which rabbi provided their kosher supervision. Mr. Johnson politely advised me that […]
What Could Be Wrong With…The Supervision of Rabbi So-and-So?
Many people believe that all rabbis who provide supervision can be presumed to be equally reliable. This great leap of faith is not rooted in reality nor is it a reasonable assumption to make. We would not entrust our physical well-being to any surgeon who is licensed to perform operations. Why should we entrust our […]
Ten Interesting New OU-Certified Products From Kosherfest 2015
I meant to save a bit of the brownie for my husband, but I had eaten the whole thing before I realized. Before I had even eaten breakfast. I tried to rationalize it was okay to give in to my chocolate craving because these were made with black beans and cocoa. Made by Pure Genius—a […]