18 Adar I 5771
February 22, 2010

Rabbi Mordechai Kuber

If anyone thought the tzibur in Ramat Beit Shemesh was tiring of the weekly kashrus lectures, last night proved this hypothesis incorrect as the lecture given by Rabbi Mordechai Kuber drew the largest crowd of the 10-week series.

Rabbi Kuber explained the conceptual side of kashrus as well as giving us some insight based on his comprehensive experience in the field, including concerns in a factory setting, as well as “bringing it home”, addressing what consumers should concern themselves with regarding restaurants, catering and kashrus in general. The message in short; ‘an educated kosher consumer is an empowered consumer’ and only if and when the public at large will begin raising the kashrus bar will stores and kashrus certifying agencies move in that direction. In short, it is up to us folks! (Sound familiar?) (more…)

18 Adar I 5771
February 22, 2010

Rabbi Meir Rabi

I was introduced to Rabbi Meir Rabi sometime ago, becoming first acquainted on the phone and recently had the opportunity of spending some time with him whilst Rabbi Rabi was visiting Eretz Yisrael to celebrate the bris of the bechor of his bechor.

We are working together towards advancing the project outlined in this comprehensive article, written for JKN by Rabbi Rabi, which will undoubtedly move kashrus supervision for meat into a new era.

Progress is slow; such is the reality of introducing change, but I remain confident that this DNA tracking system is not far away from becoming an integral part of the global kashrus monitoring system. I know from my experience that increased consumer awareness will assist to ‘knock on the door’ of kashrus agencies and energize them to utilize this new fabulous system. (more…)

16 Adar I 5771
February 20, 2011

Tomorrow, 17 Adar I (21 February), the last kashrus lecture of this year’s series will be held in Ramat Beit Shemesh’s Kehilas Beis Tefillah Yona Avraham, hosting veteran kashrus expect Rabbi Mordechai Kuber. The series is a joint project of the kehila and JKN.

Unlike the lectures in previous weeks, this one will not be recorded so if you wish to hear it, you must be there.

(more…)

11 Adar 1 5771
February 15, 2011

Most readers are scratching their heads in an effort to understand the headline, for in essence, we know the term ‘mehadrin’ appears in Shulchan Aruch pertaining to the observance of the mitzvot of Chanukah, and ‘glatt’ is used in reference to beef shechitah and the lungs of an animal. Well, if you were among the many participants at last night’s Kehilas Beis Tefillah Yonah Avraham kashrus lecture, you know the answers and just how these terms are applicable in today’s kosher poultry market in Eretz Yisrael.

The guest speaker was Rabbi Dovid Stein who heads a kehila in Rechovot, where he landed decades ago upon his arrival from the United States. (more…)

4 Adar 1 5771
February 8, 2011

As has become my custom in recent weeks, Tuesday morning includes a report on the Monday evening ‘Shovavim’ lecture in Beis Tefillah Yonah Avraham, Ramat Beit Shemesh.

Last night, the tzibur was privileged to hear from the ‘Kosher Master’, R’ Betzalel Shutz, who was affiliated with Badatz Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Leib Landau Shlita (Bnei Brak) for 23 years before going off on his own – now serving as a consultant to kashrus agencies worldwide. (more…)

2 Adar I 5771
February 6, 2011

R’ Betzalel Shutz, a well-known veteran in the kashrus community, will be the guest speaker at this Monday evening’s Shovavim lecture held in Kehillas Beis Tefillah Yona Avraham in Ramat Beit Shemesh.

R’ Shutz is known for his expertise regarding flavorings and other ingredients, the items found in foods that we simply never see, but rely on professional such as him to ensure the substances are from kosher sources.

(more…)

28 Shevat 5771
February 2, 2011

Rabbi Yaakov Borow

Monday evening’s ‘Shovavim’ series kashrus lecture addressing issues significant to the dairy industry was a success, and those in attendance were amazed to learn just how complicated the dairy industry is, and how much is done to ensure that we have a large selection of suitable kosher dairy products.

The guest lecturer was Rabbi Yaakov Borow, a member of the Tnuva kashrus team, working side-by-side with Rabbi Ze’ev Weitman, the Rav Hamachshir of Tnuva and the others who make up the kashrus team towards ensuring that Tnuva products, both regular and mehadrin, maintain the standard that has become synonymous with the world’s largest kosher dairy supplier. (more…)

26 Shevat 5771
January 31, 2011

The BTYA /Jerusalem Kosher News Shovavim series is nearing the end (2 more weeks folks!).

Tonight’s guest lecturer will be Rabbi Yaakov Borow, who is a member of the Tnuva kashrus team. He will be showing a PowerPoint presentation addressing kashrus issues that are relevant to the dairy industry.

(more…)

20 Shevat 5771
January 25, 2011

This is how we make a suit

Anyone attending my PowerPoint presentations has heard me refer to Dr. Pepper [and the kashrus concerns affiliated with the soft drink in Israel today], and if you date back as far as I do, in good old USA, you remember that it used to be referred to as “so misunderstood”.

Anyway, for many, until last night’s Beis Tefillah Yona Avraham Shovavim lecture featuring shatnez expert Rabbi Yaakov Gurwitz, they never really understood this mitzvah, but today, they awaken to a new reality.

The electrifying presentation, which included a major ‘show and tell’ presentation, moved the tzibur to a ‘seeing is believing’ understanding, empowering them with an ability to better adhere to this most important mitzvah. (more…)

19 Shevat 5771
January 24, 2011

We are familiar with having our suits tested for Shatnez, but there is a lot more to this Mitzvah than what meets the eye.

Come learn the scope and breadth of this mitzvah at TONIGHT’S Shovavim Kashrus Lecture.

The guest lecturer is prominent-SHATNEZ-expert Rabbi Yaakov Gurwitz, who
promises a most unique event, including his FAMOUS PRESENTATION of samples,
assisting us to learn what to look out for.

So, join us at 8:15pm (after 8:00pm Maariv) to take part in what is dubbed the ‘Fabulous Fabrications’ event.

The Shovavim lecture series is sponsored by BTYA in cooperation with Jerusalem Kosher News and is open to men and women (with a mechitza).

Items to be covered include:

• Which popular store in the Malcha shopping mall has been caught selling shatnez 8 times in the past 2 years?
• Four guidelines to ensure you have a shatnez-free house (YES, SHATNEZ IS MORE THAN YOUR SUIT) .
• Protect your family-dress them in a non-shatnez suit (of armor)

For more information, one may visit the Beis Tefillah Yona Avraham website .