Consumer Kosher Articles

A Work In Progress: Roe, Roe, Roe Your Fish

HaRav Chaim Yisroel HaLevi Belsky, Zatsal: Recorded, Remembered, and Reflected Upon

For just shy of 16 years, I had the immeasurable Zechus to interact with Maran HaGaon HaRav Chaim Yisroel HaLevi Belsky, Zatzal, in his capacity as a Senior Poseik with the Kashrus Division of the Orthodox Union (“the OU”), in which I serve as a Rabbinic Coordinator. I would like to share here some of […]

Kosher Brings Out the Best at Winter Fancy Food Show 2016

For the past 25 years I’ve been coming to San Francisco every year to attend the Winter Fancy Food show. I admit, getting out of the New York winter every January is certainly a bonus, but attending this growing event is much more than a foodie’s dream, it’s a reunion of the important players in […]

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 […]