24 Nissan 5771
April 28, 2011

Different from N. America of 30 years ago where I grew up, in Eretz Yisrael it appears Observant Jews are more aware of matters pertaining to kashrus, including the different hechsherim/ shechitahs pertaining to poultry.

While I do not and am not about to promote any particular shechitah, I feel that in many cases we reach a decision based on community pressure or other contributory factors unrelated to the actual shechitah itself. I receive a growing number of inquiries from readers seeking to learn which shechitah and why, realizing little information is available, yet in shul, we proudly announce which shechitah we do and do not use, a hot topic on many a shabbos after [or during] davening. (more…)

22 Nissan 5771
April 26, 2011

Most of the information I was waiting for simply arrived too late for me to provide assistance to you, JKN readers, before Pesach. Then I simply became too busy with my own yomtov preparations – and I was not on ‘vacation’ as some believed was the case.

Anyway, back to business as spring is upon us. Blei neder, I will use the information from the 5771 Kashrus guides released before Pesach for next year, to assist you in navigating the pre-holiday shopping scene. Most of the information is general and becoming familiar with the system will arm you with the ability to make the correct choice before Pesach, which is even more complicated that the remainder of the year. (more…)

9 Nissan 5771
April 13, 2011

While there is much to be reviewed before yomtov, logistical realities in my life do not permit me to post information ahead of the chag. As such, I use this opportunity to wish all readers a Chag Kosher V’samayach and sign off, most likely until after Pesach.

3 Nissan 5771
April 7, 2011

A number of readers and rabbonim have highlighted an important point and I feel I should share this with you. While websites such as Jerusalem Kosher News, discussion lists and search engines on the internet provide a great deal of information, none of these sources should be viewed as a substitute for asking a competent rav regarding halachic questions that arise pertaining to Pesach and year-round. (more…)

2 Nissan 5771
April 6, 2011

The following two products were imported to Australia, and one alert consumer became concerned when reading the ingredients on the items, both with legitimate hechsherim for Pesach.

The first, mashed potatoes and onions, is certified for Pesach by Rabbi Charlop, the rav hamachshir of Osem. The concern surrounded the inclusion of “yeast extract” in the ingredients. (more…)

Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5771
Tuesday, April 5, 2011

With Pesach on the horizon I will attempt to share information with readers towards educating the public ahead of yomtov, hopefully to facilitate shopping and permitting readers to select items based on truly understanding standards, removing the veil of uncertainty with accurate information.

The following information is taken from the wealth of kashrus information provided on the Tnuva kashrus website, provided by the rav hamachshir of Tnuva, Rabbi Ze’ev Whitman and his kashrus team. The translation is intended as a general overview and a shoppers’ guide, and it is not intended to represent a halachic text, hence at times, the information may appear incomplete to some from a halachic point of view. I also point out this is JKN’s translation and Tnuva is not responsible for the translated text that follows. (more…)

Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5771
Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Being a kosher consumer requires vigilance year-round, but even more so concerning Pesach shopping. I am not intimating that everyone is out to dupe us, but I am saying, as a matter of fact, that daily realities change for Pesach, demanding we educate ourselves to discern just what these changes are. We are responsible to read the store signs, product signs and whatever necessary to ensure what we put in our carts is indeed what we think it is. At times, the Pesach reality satisfies our kashrus requirements and in some cases, this may not be so.

One example which comes to mind is Machane Yehuda. Some stores change hechsherim for Pesach, including those selling pitzuchim, the seeds, nuts and dried fruits. Some of the Badatz Eida Chareidit stores for Passover will display signs saying “Badatz Eida HaSefardim”. (more…)

26  Adar II 5771
April 1, 2011

Following are some links to websites of prominent hechsherim providing information pertaining to Pesach.

North America
COR: http://www.cor.ca/view/152/cor_passover_guide_2011.html
cRc: http://www.crcweb.org/Passover/cRcPassoverGuide%20FINAL.pdf
OU: http://www.oukosher.org/index.php/passover
Star K: http://www.star-k.org/cons-pesach.htm (more…)

23 Adar II 5771
March 29, 2011
With a growing demand in the local Israeli marketplace non-standard matzos for Pesach, JKN has learned of a special run of just this very product, available locally for those who are interested. If you are seeking organic spelt or gluten free oat matzos, you may telephone 077-901-5645 for pricing information and to place an order.

The gluten free oat matzo  and spelt matzo are both 18-minute (machine Shmurah from time of harvest) and both carry the Kof-K as well as the supervision of Rabbi Ephraim Rothschild Shlita, of Kiryat Sefer and Rabbi Shmuel Meir Katz Shlita, of Lakewood for this special run. (more…)

3 Adar II 5771
March 9, 2011

While the website has been dormant for a period of time, I am continuing my activities and quite honestly, it is not sufficient to write or call me asking about eating in one place or another, but you, as a kosher consumer, must begin exercising your right and power to effect change.  As an observant Jew, this is a responsibility, and turning a blind eye for one reason or another simply does not do it. “Everyone eats there” does not constitute a teudat kashrut! (more…)