1 Adar 5770
February 15, 2010

The Jerusalem Rabbinate has implemented a new service, cellular telephone text messaging verification of a kosher certificate.

One may dial ‘4664’ and in the message write “kosher” [in Hebrew], space, and the name of the store [in Hebrew] and send it. Within seconds, you will receive a response from the Jerusalem Rabbinate database confirming the store’s kashrut status, in addition to some extra information pertaining to mehadrin and shmitah for example.

I tested it on a number of stores; some appear not yet in the system but it worked quite well.

I tracked down the company providing the SMS service and was told each inquiry will result in a .50 agorot charge on one’s cell phone bill.

1 Adar 5770
February 15, 2010

The Pinati Restaurant located in the Food Court of Jerusalem’s Malcha Mall has received a Badatz Beit Yosef mehadrin certification (Meat).

25 Shvat 5770
February 9, 2010

Aldo - Max Brenner sign over store entrance

Thanks to JKN reader E.B., the following matter of concern was brought to my attention today. I present the little episode as such to encourage readers to question email, and send photos, towards raising the overall level of kashrut in our Homeland.

The case in point refers to a branch of Aldo Ice Cream, located at 40 Jaffa Street in Jerusalem. It is under the supervision of the Jerusalem Rabbinate non-mehadrin and Badatz Beit Yosef mehadrin. EB noticed whole strawberries on the ice cream and he told me they were offered as a topping as well. He innocently questioned if they are cleaned before being offered to customers, explaining he is well-aware of the problems with fresh strawberries today. Read the rest of this entry »

25 Shvat 5770
February 9, 2010

Some people simply cannot get enough of a good thing. This might be the case with ‘Rabbi Saar Mizrachi Shlita’ who is now making inroads in the Jerusalem scene with his latest kashrus agency.

I remind veteran readers and introduce new readers to the rabbi shlita, who has been at the forefront of the unauthorized kashrus industry, bringing us Keter Kashrut, Tiferet HaKashrut, Kisei Eliyahu, Pe’er Naftali, and now, “Ishur Kashrut from Rabbi Saar Mizrachi Shlita”. Read the rest of this entry »

24 Shvat 5770
11:36am

I spoke with Rabbi Rafi Yochai of the Chief Rabbinate Fraud Division this morning, who informed me that the date of the Chief Rabbinate import authorization appearing on the website now states 2008, in line with the legitimate one that was issued.

It would appear the importer in Israel backtracked and removed the forged letter expiring on 31.12.2010, now displaying the proper expiration date. Read the rest of this entry »

Motzei Shabbos – 22 Shvat 5770
February 06, 2010

A Number of Updates from Badatz Beit Yosef

Matok-Li ice cream Store – 10 Wolfson St., Rosh HaAyin – 054-656-6078
Received the BBY certification – Dairy
    ****

Zohara Café in Ashdod City Hall Building – G’dud Haivri St.
Received the BBY certification - Dairy

    **** Read the rest of this entry »

19 Shvat 5770
February 3, 2010

‘Just Like Sugar’ sweetener, now for sale in Israel  leaves a very bitter taste in my mouth.

The company a number of years ago had a hechsher, which has long expired, and now dares to post fraudulent kashrut certificates on its website to dup the Israeli public.

I spoke with the rabbonim at Chatam Sofer Petach Tikvah, who checked into the faxed copy of the certificate I sent them, which they state expired in 5765, five years ago. They told me in no uncertain terms that they are not responsible for any of the company’s products after 5765. Read the rest of this entry »

10 Shvat 5770
January 25, 2010

This link will take you to the document provided by Chevra Mehadrin in the USA regarding infestation in fish, quoting rabbonim in Israel. The names of the fish, place of origin and type of infestation, in the case of this chart, Anisakis.