Chief Rabbinate of Israel
Kashrut Fraud Division
Kashrut Alert – 21
20 Sivan 5770
June 2, 2010
Yakvei Binyamina (Binyamina Winery)
The Binyamina – Givat Olga Rabbinate reports the kosher certification has been removed from this winery and therefore, the product is not permitted for use in halls and other eateries under the supervision of one of the local rabbinates. (Item 1 in Hebrew original – see photo of logo on left side)
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Pinati Restaurant – 6 HaSharon St. (Chevel Modi’in Region) Airport City
After the mashgiach expressed his concerns regarding ‘bishul akum’ (non-Jewish cooking), a member of the kitchen staff attacked him, resulting in facial injuries to the mashgiach. Police were summoned and the kashrut was revoked from the restaurant in response to ‘serious kashrus violations’. (Item 2 in the Hebrew original – photo on right side)
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Dolce Plus Gummy Candies
These gummy (gumdrop) type candies imported from Spain claim to be kosher mehadrin under the supervision of Badatz Rambam, France. In reality, the Badatz agency does not certify the candies and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel has not authorized importing them. They are to be removed from store shelves immediately. (Item 3 in Hebrew original – photo on left side)
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Matok Vetaeem, Alfei Menashe
An inspection by the Alfei Menashe Rabbanut has revealed that the firm did not sell its chametz for Pesach, resulting in some of the products containing ingredients that are forbidden. The company does not have kosher supervision and its products should not be used. (Item 4 in the Hebrew original- company logo on right side)
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Al Gachal Restaurant, Kiryat Shmona
The Kiryat Shmona Rabbinate has removed kashrut certification from this eatery.
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Pineapple Chunks in Light Syrup
Product barcode 6915878542153, produced by the Tzion Food Group in China and imported by Tamar LTD states it is kosher under the Badatz Beit Yosef. The item is not approved by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel Import Division and therefore, may not be used in halls and restaurants with local rabbinate supervision. (Item 6 in Hebrew original – photo on left side)
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Shuk Ben Shalom, Gan Yavne
The kosher certification has been restored to the company and farmer David Gerla of Moshav Yinun is once again under the supervision of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel regarding orla. Mashgichim should always request the appropriate kashrut shipping manifest prior to accepting any produce delivery.
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Bilbli Beitzim Restaurant – 10 Yair Street
The Tel Aviv Rabbinate wishes to clarify that the restaurant is under its supervision despite contrary reports in an earlier update.
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Catering Alert
A list is attached of catering halls not authorized for weddings since they do not have kashrut supervision from the appropriate local rabbinate.
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Rabbi Yaakov Sabag
Chief of Kashrut Division
Rabbi Rafi Yochai
Chief of National Kashrut Fraud Prevention
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JKN NOTE:
As one finds in this update as well as previous updates, many times the enforcement division bulletins write “advertises as kosher but does not have local rabbinate supervision as required by law”.
I receive many emails regarding this so please, permit me to explain again.
The kosher law of the State of Israel, 1983, compels a business wishing to advertise as kosher to have a valid supervision from a local rabbinate, which in essence is an arm of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, which is the only agency empowered under the law to grant supervision.
At times, one may display a kosher supervision without having a local rabbinate, resulting in the eatery or factory being listed in Kashrut Enforcement Division Updates, since the agency is responsible for upholding the law.
For most consumers, it is wise to adhere to the warnings and distance oneself from such places unless one is well versed and knows which private agencies are legitimate or which are bogus. Some of the ‘unauthorized’ agencies simply sell a sign that has no mashgiach or kosher certifying agency standing behind it. When the term “unauthorized” agency is used, it may be making reference to one of the bogus firms operating for profit, duping the public, but at times, it may also refer to a legitimate non-governmental agency.
If one cannot be certain, one would be wise to exhibit caution and seek out an eatery displaying a certificate from a familiar agency. There are too many bogus agencies operating, presenting impressive signs to the public, but in reality, do not provide kashrut!
Usually, or perhaps in most cases, the legitimate agencies will not grant kosher supervision unless a business has first received local rabbinate supervision, since such agencies do not wish to operate outside the law.
Therefore, if one sees a kosher certificate and it is not aside a local rabbinate certificate, in many cases the agency in question is not legitimate and the kashrut of the establishment is in question.
The reverse however is not true, and seeing an unfamiliar ‘mehadrin’ sign aside a local rabbinate certificate does not guarantee the legitimacy of the store’s kashrut regarding its mehadrin claim.
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See the original Hebrew document.