With an Albertsons Closing, Dallas Jews Make Contingency Plans for Passover and Beyond Dallas…
In the long run, the rapidly growing Jewish community may be better off and even have more kosher food, but for this Passover many of the city’s 60,000 Jews may have to scramble for alternate solutions. An Albertsons which served the growing Jewish community in the North side of Dallas had announced that it would be closing in the beginning of March, just when the buying season for Passover foods begins. The Albertsons was one of several stores that was not part of the SuperValu acquisition and thus part of the reorganization of the new ownership. Albertsons said it would close six more stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, for a total of 11 shuttered stores statewide, according to local reports. These stores were said to be “underperforming.” In June, Albertsons was split into three companies. New York firm Cerberus Capital Management formed a private company with 661 stores, including those in Texas.
Jeffrey Schiller, a former president of both Tiferet Israel and Dallas Vaad (Dallas Kosher), said that “it was most disturbing that Albertsons chose to close the store less than one month prior to the Passover holidays.” Schiller also said that Albertsons was always an important part of the 13-year old annual Tiferet Israel Kosher Chili Cook-Off on March 13th. Despite its closing, Albertsons was making arrangements to supply the 1500 pounds of ground meat it makes available every year, but according to Schiller, this year’s supply will be not be fresh but frozen. The event attracted more than 4000 people at Tiferet Israel in 2006. For the time being Jews who live on the North side will have to travel cross-town to the South where a Tom Thumb store (owned by Safeway) has a broad selection of kosher foods, including dairy and meats, albeit not fresh meats as the Albertsons had sold . Although Passover may be a problem, the future appears a bit brighter for Dallas Jews as Tom Thumb has announced that it will be remodeling a store on the North side and install a full kosher store within a store.
Demographic studies show that Dallas has been one of the fastest growing Jewish communities in America. In the past 5 years, say Jewish leaders, the community may have grown by as much as 20,000 with more than 6,000 Jews believed to eat kosher year-round. At least another 5,000 – 6,000 observe kashrus around holiday time, particularly on Passover. In addition to the Tom Thumb stores, there are a number of small independent convenience stores that cater to the kosher market. One store, Milk & Honey, carries many pre-packed goods, including Israeli items. Dallas has 3 kosher restaurants, including 2 meat and one dairy in addition to several kosher caterers. The Jewish Community Center also offers kosher salads and sandwiches.
Orthodox Jews from New York and other cities have been visiting the Dallas Jewish community of late to show their support for the developing Jewish community. Jewish community leaders speak proudly of their gains in such a short period of time.
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Sunday, February 18, 2007
“Tzedek Hechsher” Not a Kosher Issue, Many Rabbis Assert
New York…
Reacting to an article in the weekly Forward, “Orthodox Slam Effort To Monitor Conditions at Kosher Factories” (February 9, 2007), many rabbis reached by KosherToday did not consider the new proposed Conservative “Tzedek Hekhsher” to be an issue for kashrus. The Forward piece turned the issue of a proposed new certification on the basis of social issues to be the latest spat between Conservative and Orthodox rabbis. But even the Conservatives said that their proposed new hechsher would not deal with kashrus but rather with working conditions at plants producing kosher. The Conservative position followed an earlier article in the Forward that reported on alleged unsafe working conditions at the Agriprocessors plant in Postville, Iowa, a fact that was later disputed by Rabbi Asher Zeilingold of Minneapolis who traveled to the plant with a Spanish speaking congregant of his. Rabbi Zeilingold certifies the non-glatt kosher meats at the plant.
"It's not that we don't care about those issues, but we rely on the federal government," said Rabbi Menachem Genack, who heads the kashrus division at the Orthodox Union (OU). He noted that agencies such as the Department of Labor and Occupational Safety & Health Administration already keep watch on workers' pay and working conditions. “We don't want to impose more on those companies than is required by law," Genack said. Other rabbis also saw the new certification as more of an oversight on the already considerable protection offered to workers by government.
Many of the kashrus officials felt that a new certification that broadened the definition of kashrus would only lead to more confusion in the marketplace. Rabbi Yosef Wikler, publisher of Kashrus Magazine, told KosherToday that the Tzedek Hekhsher “has nothing to do with kosher certification and standards,” which is why he would not include the certification on his widely heralded annual list of kosher symbols and certification that numbered nearly 750 in 2006. Rabbi Wikler, who lists Conservative and Reform certifications on his list, agreed that the Tzedek Hekhsher would only lead to more confusion for consumers. One rabbi complimented the concern of the Conservatives but suggested that they “first should have visited non-kosher plants “which are basically no different than kosher ones” and in any event should be issuing their hekhsher for any Jewish businessman who employs workers, and not just a meat plant in Iowa.”
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Reacting to an article in the weekly Forward, “Orthodox Slam Effort To Monitor Conditions at Kosher Factories” (February 9, 2007), many rabbis reached by KosherToday did not consider the new proposed Conservative “Tzedek Hekhsher” to be an issue for kashrus. The Forward piece turned the issue of a proposed new certification on the basis of social issues to be the latest spat between Conservative and Orthodox rabbis. But even the Conservatives said that their proposed new hechsher would not deal with kashrus but rather with working conditions at plants producing kosher. The Conservative position followed an earlier article in the Forward that reported on alleged unsafe working conditions at the Agriprocessors plant in Postville, Iowa, a fact that was later disputed by Rabbi Asher Zeilingold of Minneapolis who traveled to the plant with a Spanish speaking congregant of his. Rabbi Zeilingold certifies the non-glatt kosher meats at the plant.
"It's not that we don't care about those issues, but we rely on the federal government," said Rabbi Menachem Genack, who heads the kashrus division at the Orthodox Union (OU). He noted that agencies such as the Department of Labor and Occupational Safety & Health Administration already keep watch on workers' pay and working conditions. “We don't want to impose more on those companies than is required by law," Genack said. Other rabbis also saw the new certification as more of an oversight on the already considerable protection offered to workers by government.
Many of the kashrus officials felt that a new certification that broadened the definition of kashrus would only lead to more confusion in the marketplace. Rabbi Yosef Wikler, publisher of Kashrus Magazine, told KosherToday that the Tzedek Hekhsher “has nothing to do with kosher certification and standards,” which is why he would not include the certification on his widely heralded annual list of kosher symbols and certification that numbered nearly 750 in 2006. Rabbi Wikler, who lists Conservative and Reform certifications on his list, agreed that the Tzedek Hekhsher would only lead to more confusion for consumers. One rabbi complimented the concern of the Conservatives but suggested that they “first should have visited non-kosher plants “which are basically no different than kosher ones” and in any event should be issuing their hekhsher for any Jewish businessman who employs workers, and not just a meat plant in Iowa.”
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Kosher Weight Loss Programs
Demand Grows for Kosher Weight Loss Programs and Products
By Sarah Cohen... New York, NY…
Demand in the Jewish community for kosher weight loss programs and products follows industry trends, a KosherToday survey found. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention approximately 65% of US citizens are overweight. Obesity has become a growing concern amongst many Jews who keep kosher. While there were no specific sales numbers for kosher weight loss programs and products, the Atlanta Business Chronicles put sales of US Weight Loss programs and products at $34.7 billion annually. The Calorie Control Council’s National Consumer Survey found that 33% of adults, 71 million people, in America are on a diet. While non kosher consumers have various programs such as Jenny Craig and The Zone, as well as a multitude of diet products, there is a new breed of kosher programs that target adherents of the Jewish dietary laws.
Kosher Diet Delivery, a diet delivery program serving the larger New York Area, offers consumers a complete meal plan delivered to their front door. “This program was started in direct response to demand by kosher consumers for a comprehensive diet program,” said Ephraim Zimmerman, General Manager of Kosher Diet Delivery. Zimmerman estimates that approximately 10% of the Kosher Diet Delivery members are non-kosher consumers who “equate kosher with healthier and higher quality foods.” Dr. B’s, a weight loss product retailer, has been offering kosher consumers a wide array of diet products, a medically supervised weight loss program, and a weekly delivery diet program. Dr. B’s products, such as desserts, entrees and side dishes, are low fat, sugar free and generally, low carb. “The need for weight loss products and programs is very high in the Jewish community because of the focus on food during Jewish Holidays,” said Heather Bennett Book, Vice President of Dr. B’s. Says Book: “Our Weight Loss products and programs allow consumers to maintain healthier eating habits.” Melanie Cohen, Weight Watchers Meeting Leader in the New York Area, comments that working in Jewish areas, she has observed an increase in membership enrollment among Jewish consumers in October, following the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah and in January, following the secular New Year. “Although Weight Watchers offers kosher dairy products, kosher consumers have increasingly been asking for pareve Weight Watchers products,” commented Cohen. One kosher distributor who sells many diet items to the growing program “including home businesses” said his business for diet products increased by “about 18%. in the past 12 months.”
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By Sarah Cohen... New York, NY…
Demand in the Jewish community for kosher weight loss programs and products follows industry trends, a KosherToday survey found. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention approximately 65% of US citizens are overweight. Obesity has become a growing concern amongst many Jews who keep kosher. While there were no specific sales numbers for kosher weight loss programs and products, the Atlanta Business Chronicles put sales of US Weight Loss programs and products at $34.7 billion annually. The Calorie Control Council’s National Consumer Survey found that 33% of adults, 71 million people, in America are on a diet. While non kosher consumers have various programs such as Jenny Craig and The Zone, as well as a multitude of diet products, there is a new breed of kosher programs that target adherents of the Jewish dietary laws.
Kosher Diet Delivery, a diet delivery program serving the larger New York Area, offers consumers a complete meal plan delivered to their front door. “This program was started in direct response to demand by kosher consumers for a comprehensive diet program,” said Ephraim Zimmerman, General Manager of Kosher Diet Delivery. Zimmerman estimates that approximately 10% of the Kosher Diet Delivery members are non-kosher consumers who “equate kosher with healthier and higher quality foods.” Dr. B’s, a weight loss product retailer, has been offering kosher consumers a wide array of diet products, a medically supervised weight loss program, and a weekly delivery diet program. Dr. B’s products, such as desserts, entrees and side dishes, are low fat, sugar free and generally, low carb. “The need for weight loss products and programs is very high in the Jewish community because of the focus on food during Jewish Holidays,” said Heather Bennett Book, Vice President of Dr. B’s. Says Book: “Our Weight Loss products and programs allow consumers to maintain healthier eating habits.” Melanie Cohen, Weight Watchers Meeting Leader in the New York Area, comments that working in Jewish areas, she has observed an increase in membership enrollment among Jewish consumers in October, following the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah and in January, following the secular New Year. “Although Weight Watchers offers kosher dairy products, kosher consumers have increasingly been asking for pareve Weight Watchers products,” commented Cohen. One kosher distributor who sells many diet items to the growing program “including home businesses” said his business for diet products increased by “about 18%. in the past 12 months.”
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News from Israel
Israelis Deal with Non-Kosher RealityTel Aviv…
Combined Sources…
While surveys continue to show that the majority of Israelis subscribe to a kosher lifestyle, there is growing evidence of a significant non-kosher Israel. An estimated $1 billion of non-kosher foods are sold in Israel, largely as a result of the large Russian immigration to Israel, including a substantial number of spouses who are not Jewish. Also blamed for the increase is the evolving Israeli culinary habits of younger secular Israelis who are estranged from their parents’ preference for kosher. Many Tel Aviv residents were in an uproar when mini-market super chain AM:PM, a staple of chic secular city life, announced that they were removing any and all non-kosher products from their shelves, focusing particularly on shellfish and meats manufactured by the Mizra Deli. News that non-kosher food was permitted on army bases also created quite a stir and was the subject of discussion in the Knesset. Israeli society always had a number of non-kosher restaurants and night spots, but the growing retail presence is quite new. The Tiv Taam chain is cited as one of those retailers that is building a business from non-kosher Israelis. There is the Mania Deli chain, which caters largely to Eastern European immigrants, but is also trying to cultivate the non-kosher taste buds of young secular Israelis.
While Israelis see the trend to non-kosher as unavoidable, they also point to the astronomical growth of kosher in the country. Said one Israeli food manufacturer: “Non-kosher food is less than 10% of overall food sales in Israel, which is the best indication that kosher still reigns supreme in the holy land.”
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Combined Sources…
While surveys continue to show that the majority of Israelis subscribe to a kosher lifestyle, there is growing evidence of a significant non-kosher Israel. An estimated $1 billion of non-kosher foods are sold in Israel, largely as a result of the large Russian immigration to Israel, including a substantial number of spouses who are not Jewish. Also blamed for the increase is the evolving Israeli culinary habits of younger secular Israelis who are estranged from their parents’ preference for kosher. Many Tel Aviv residents were in an uproar when mini-market super chain AM:PM, a staple of chic secular city life, announced that they were removing any and all non-kosher products from their shelves, focusing particularly on shellfish and meats manufactured by the Mizra Deli. News that non-kosher food was permitted on army bases also created quite a stir and was the subject of discussion in the Knesset. Israeli society always had a number of non-kosher restaurants and night spots, but the growing retail presence is quite new. The Tiv Taam chain is cited as one of those retailers that is building a business from non-kosher Israelis. There is the Mania Deli chain, which caters largely to Eastern European immigrants, but is also trying to cultivate the non-kosher taste buds of young secular Israelis.
While Israelis see the trend to non-kosher as unavoidable, they also point to the astronomical growth of kosher in the country. Said one Israeli food manufacturer: “Non-kosher food is less than 10% of overall food sales in Israel, which is the best indication that kosher still reigns supreme in the holy land.”
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Friday, February 02, 2007
New Products for Passover
More Innovation for 500 New Products this Passover
Passover Survey 2007
New York… Kosher shoppers will once again find a broad array of new kosher foods and wines for Passover (April 3-10). The KosherToday annual survey of new kosher products for the 8-day holiday included several hundred products that were submitted for publication. (Editor’s Note: Products that were obvious duplications or which were received past our deadline are not included in this review. Shoppers should still determine the kosher certification of products, if wines are mevushal and if food products is non-gebrokst.) Although the criteria was that products must be making their debut in 2007, some of the products submitted did receive limited exposure in 2006 and are included in this review. There appeared to be less duplication than in the past, as kosher consumers had demanded in a recent study by Cannondale Associates. Passover shelves will also have many new products from Israel, including an unprecedented array of Matzos, both machine and hand made. Passover sales account for nearly 40% of annual kosher food sales of nearly $11 billion.
There will again be an unprecedented array of new kosher wines to choose from for the Passover Seder. Of note this year will be Zachlawi’s “Traditional 1816 Arak,” considered by many one of the best arak products to be produced anywhere in the world. From Baron Herzog the lineup will include Chardonnay 2005, Red Vine Zinfandel 2004, Late and Harvest Chenin Blanc 2004(California). Other wines from Royal Wines includes Yatir Sauvignon Blanc 2005, Barkan Altitude 720 -2003, Binyamina Yogev Cab-Merlot 2005, Carmel PC Cabernet 2004, Carmel Petit Syrah 2004, Casa di Corca, Carmel Di Moscato 2006, and Opinioni Verdetto 2003. From Golan Heights Winery: Yarden, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Golan Moscato, 2002 Yarden Merlot, Galil Mountain Merlot, and Yarden Syrah 2002. From Allied Importers USA: Dalton Reserve Shiraz (non mevushal), Dalton Zinfandel is one of the few kosher Zinfandels on the market and the only one from Israel, and The Dalton Estate Shiraz, which, due to a theft 2 years ago was not available for sometime in the US. Also from Israel, the Teperberg Winery, one of the oldest wine families, introduces their line of Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Meritage (Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-Cabernet Franc), Shiraz and Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc.
In foods and related goods, consumers will have several hundred new items to choose from, making Passover feel very festive but in many respects feel like any other day of the year. From HKS: Sparkling PomeGrape Juice and Pomegranate Juice, Gefen Rotelle (Wagon Wheel Wagon Pasta) Non Gebrokts and Cholesterol free, Kineret Frozen Soup Bowls: Vegetable, Potato and Chicken Noodle Soup, Kineret French Fries (zero grams of Trans fat), Kineret Potato Vegetable Poppers & Potato Pizza Poppers, Tivi Valley All Natural Red Peppers, Bartenura Grapeseed Oil (no carbs, no cholesterol or trans fat), Savion Cinnamon flavored Matzo Snacks, Savion Toasted Coconut Marshmallows, Fireman’s Frenzy Sauces & Marinades, Gadilla Snack Hits in Falafel (Onion and Barbeque flavor all in one once bags).
From Israel comes Alei Katif with a new line of baby spinach; Osem has a new line called Shkedia. Other Osem products include Bittersweet Chocolate Coated Coffee Beans, Hazelnuts, Raisins, Bittersweet Chocolate Coated Citrus Peels Gift Box, Bittersweet Chocolate Coated Mix Gift Box, Jordan Almonds, and a mini can of Sliced Green Olives. Wissotzky Green Teas has two new flavors for Pesach, Apples & Cinnamon and Lemon & Honey. From “Kasher V’Sameach” comes a new line of upscale and healthy mixes: English Cake Mixes, Pancake Mix, Blintzes Mix, Chocolate Truffles Mix and Kneidel Mix as well as Coating Crumbs. From Matzot Aviv comes a new tin decorated with a piece of art by Menashe Kadishman. The picture that was chosen is one of Kadishman’s sheep, due to the connection between the sheep and Passover’s sacrifice.
From Manischewitz: Whole Grain Matzo Farfel and Matzo Meal, Italian Herb Coating Crumbs, Family Size Matzo Ball Mix, Manischewitz Sparkling Grape Juice, Concord and Niagara, Blanchard & Blanchard Salad Dressings come in Traditional French and Thousand Island. Mishpacha Kids Apple Juice and Fruit Punch Tetra-Pack, Mishpacha Kids Apple Juice and Fruit Juice, Manischewitz Cereal: Cocoa Magic Crunch, Fruity Magic Cereal and Sunny O’s. Sultan’s Finest Foods is introducing Pure Tunisian Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Snack Factory is a new flavor of Pretzel Crisps, Honey Mustard & Onion. Neshama is introducing new low fat/low carb chicken and turkey sausages. From VIP Foods comes new Kojel jello flavors. From Rue Lafayette a new Apple Sauce in a Pouch. From Quality Frozen Foods, Izzy’s Best fresh chestnuts.
In addition to the many new items listed above, we also received word of numerous new chocolate and snack items as well as cleaning and other Seder related gift items. One distributor said his list for Passover 2007 is well over 21,000 items, certainly a far cry from what was available only a decade ago.
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Passover Survey 2007
New York… Kosher shoppers will once again find a broad array of new kosher foods and wines for Passover (April 3-10). The KosherToday annual survey of new kosher products for the 8-day holiday included several hundred products that were submitted for publication. (Editor’s Note: Products that were obvious duplications or which were received past our deadline are not included in this review. Shoppers should still determine the kosher certification of products, if wines are mevushal and if food products is non-gebrokst.) Although the criteria was that products must be making their debut in 2007, some of the products submitted did receive limited exposure in 2006 and are included in this review. There appeared to be less duplication than in the past, as kosher consumers had demanded in a recent study by Cannondale Associates. Passover shelves will also have many new products from Israel, including an unprecedented array of Matzos, both machine and hand made. Passover sales account for nearly 40% of annual kosher food sales of nearly $11 billion.
There will again be an unprecedented array of new kosher wines to choose from for the Passover Seder. Of note this year will be Zachlawi’s “Traditional 1816 Arak,” considered by many one of the best arak products to be produced anywhere in the world. From Baron Herzog the lineup will include Chardonnay 2005, Red Vine Zinfandel 2004, Late and Harvest Chenin Blanc 2004(California). Other wines from Royal Wines includes Yatir Sauvignon Blanc 2005, Barkan Altitude 720 -2003, Binyamina Yogev Cab-Merlot 2005, Carmel PC Cabernet 2004, Carmel Petit Syrah 2004, Casa di Corca, Carmel Di Moscato 2006, and Opinioni Verdetto 2003. From Golan Heights Winery: Yarden, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Golan Moscato, 2002 Yarden Merlot, Galil Mountain Merlot, and Yarden Syrah 2002. From Allied Importers USA: Dalton Reserve Shiraz (non mevushal), Dalton Zinfandel is one of the few kosher Zinfandels on the market and the only one from Israel, and The Dalton Estate Shiraz, which, due to a theft 2 years ago was not available for sometime in the US. Also from Israel, the Teperberg Winery, one of the oldest wine families, introduces their line of Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Meritage (Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-Cabernet Franc), Shiraz and Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc.
In foods and related goods, consumers will have several hundred new items to choose from, making Passover feel very festive but in many respects feel like any other day of the year. From HKS: Sparkling PomeGrape Juice and Pomegranate Juice, Gefen Rotelle (Wagon Wheel Wagon Pasta) Non Gebrokts and Cholesterol free, Kineret Frozen Soup Bowls: Vegetable, Potato and Chicken Noodle Soup, Kineret French Fries (zero grams of Trans fat), Kineret Potato Vegetable Poppers & Potato Pizza Poppers, Tivi Valley All Natural Red Peppers, Bartenura Grapeseed Oil (no carbs, no cholesterol or trans fat), Savion Cinnamon flavored Matzo Snacks, Savion Toasted Coconut Marshmallows, Fireman’s Frenzy Sauces & Marinades, Gadilla Snack Hits in Falafel (Onion and Barbeque flavor all in one once bags).
From Israel comes Alei Katif with a new line of baby spinach; Osem has a new line called Shkedia. Other Osem products include Bittersweet Chocolate Coated Coffee Beans, Hazelnuts, Raisins, Bittersweet Chocolate Coated Citrus Peels Gift Box, Bittersweet Chocolate Coated Mix Gift Box, Jordan Almonds, and a mini can of Sliced Green Olives. Wissotzky Green Teas has two new flavors for Pesach, Apples & Cinnamon and Lemon & Honey. From “Kasher V’Sameach” comes a new line of upscale and healthy mixes: English Cake Mixes, Pancake Mix, Blintzes Mix, Chocolate Truffles Mix and Kneidel Mix as well as Coating Crumbs. From Matzot Aviv comes a new tin decorated with a piece of art by Menashe Kadishman. The picture that was chosen is one of Kadishman’s sheep, due to the connection between the sheep and Passover’s sacrifice.
From Manischewitz: Whole Grain Matzo Farfel and Matzo Meal, Italian Herb Coating Crumbs, Family Size Matzo Ball Mix, Manischewitz Sparkling Grape Juice, Concord and Niagara, Blanchard & Blanchard Salad Dressings come in Traditional French and Thousand Island. Mishpacha Kids Apple Juice and Fruit Punch Tetra-Pack, Mishpacha Kids Apple Juice and Fruit Juice, Manischewitz Cereal: Cocoa Magic Crunch, Fruity Magic Cereal and Sunny O’s. Sultan’s Finest Foods is introducing Pure Tunisian Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Snack Factory is a new flavor of Pretzel Crisps, Honey Mustard & Onion. Neshama is introducing new low fat/low carb chicken and turkey sausages. From VIP Foods comes new Kojel jello flavors. From Rue Lafayette a new Apple Sauce in a Pouch. From Quality Frozen Foods, Izzy’s Best fresh chestnuts.
In addition to the many new items listed above, we also received word of numerous new chocolate and snack items as well as cleaning and other Seder related gift items. One distributor said his list for Passover 2007 is well over 21,000 items, certainly a far cry from what was available only a decade ago.
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Feature: Kosher Appliances on the Rise
Popularity of “Kosher” Appliances Rises Dramatically
New York… by Sarah Cohen…
A whole new generation of consumers has emerged for appliances that are certified kosher, shows a survey of several appliance retailers in largely religious Jewish neighborhoods. Retailers say that the kosher appliances are particularly popular with newly married couples and with people remodeling their kitchens. The retailers say that many Orthodox families tend to buy the kosher appliances at this time of the year, in the weeks before Passover. Baltimore based STAR-K kosher certification, an international kosher supervision agency under the leadership of Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, has been in the forefront of certifying appliances as kosher. The kosher status means that modern appliances are more kosher consumer friendly for Shabbat and Jewish holidays (Yomim Tovim). By eliminating problematic features such as lights, icons, tones, and digital displays from appliances, the kosher consumer has more flexibility to use various appliances on Shabbat and Yom Tov, within Rabbinic guidelines, while observing strict Halacha.
Jonah Ottensoser, consulting engineer for STAR-K with extensive knowledge in Halacha, “works as a liaison with Rabbi Heinemann and the appliance companies to ensure that the appliances are user friendly for Shabbat and Yom Tov,” said Rivka Leah Goldman, a spokeswoman at STAR-K for kosher appliances. Ovens, dishwashers, and refrigerators, are just a few appliances that the STAR-K works on with appliance companies to cater to the kosher consumer. One of the main issues that kosher consumers have to deal with is the 12 hour automatic shut off feature that ovens typically have. Halacha permits temperature adjustments to be made for cooking and baking on Yom Tov and therefore Jewish consumers would need an oven that can remain turned on for a two or three day holiday. The STAR-K team has worked with appliance companies to override the automatic shut-off feature and make the oven usable on Yom Tov. Goldman explains that although this feature is commonly referred to as Shabbat Mode in appliance manuals, “it is a misnomer, as Jewish Law only permits cooking and baking on Yom Tov. The month preceding Pesach (Passover) is the most common time when consumers are looking to purchase a kosher oven because of the complicated and strict procedures required to “kasher” an oven for Pesach,” commented Goldman.
Many retailers carry the kosher appliances. The most effective way for kosher consumers to identify these appliances is to visit the STAR-K website (star-k.org) where model numbers of all appliances approved by the STARK-K are listed by appliance category and by company. The website also provides consumers with detailed explanations on how to use the approved appliances in order to follow strict halachic guidelines.
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New York… by Sarah Cohen…
A whole new generation of consumers has emerged for appliances that are certified kosher, shows a survey of several appliance retailers in largely religious Jewish neighborhoods. Retailers say that the kosher appliances are particularly popular with newly married couples and with people remodeling their kitchens. The retailers say that many Orthodox families tend to buy the kosher appliances at this time of the year, in the weeks before Passover. Baltimore based STAR-K kosher certification, an international kosher supervision agency under the leadership of Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, has been in the forefront of certifying appliances as kosher. The kosher status means that modern appliances are more kosher consumer friendly for Shabbat and Jewish holidays (Yomim Tovim). By eliminating problematic features such as lights, icons, tones, and digital displays from appliances, the kosher consumer has more flexibility to use various appliances on Shabbat and Yom Tov, within Rabbinic guidelines, while observing strict Halacha.
Jonah Ottensoser, consulting engineer for STAR-K with extensive knowledge in Halacha, “works as a liaison with Rabbi Heinemann and the appliance companies to ensure that the appliances are user friendly for Shabbat and Yom Tov,” said Rivka Leah Goldman, a spokeswoman at STAR-K for kosher appliances. Ovens, dishwashers, and refrigerators, are just a few appliances that the STAR-K works on with appliance companies to cater to the kosher consumer. One of the main issues that kosher consumers have to deal with is the 12 hour automatic shut off feature that ovens typically have. Halacha permits temperature adjustments to be made for cooking and baking on Yom Tov and therefore Jewish consumers would need an oven that can remain turned on for a two or three day holiday. The STAR-K team has worked with appliance companies to override the automatic shut-off feature and make the oven usable on Yom Tov. Goldman explains that although this feature is commonly referred to as Shabbat Mode in appliance manuals, “it is a misnomer, as Jewish Law only permits cooking and baking on Yom Tov. The month preceding Pesach (Passover) is the most common time when consumers are looking to purchase a kosher oven because of the complicated and strict procedures required to “kasher” an oven for Pesach,” commented Goldman.
Many retailers carry the kosher appliances. The most effective way for kosher consumers to identify these appliances is to visit the STAR-K website (star-k.org) where model numbers of all appliances approved by the STARK-K are listed by appliance category and by company. The website also provides consumers with detailed explanations on how to use the approved appliances in order to follow strict halachic guidelines.
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