Would someone exchange his nice paycheck for a kolel stripend?

Why should'nt someone exchange his paycheck for a kolel stripend?

There is an offer being made to the Lakewood based Editors & writers, etc  of Artscroll to give up their jobs & paycheck in exchange for a kolel stripend of a big Lakewood kolel with hundreds of kolel students. Come one, come all.

Why is it called a stripend? because the meager stipend keeps you in a striped jail uniform.

UPDATE: ORA claims "now" they didn't write it per se, but they agree with the contents

Second UPDATE: Too many unanswered questions

I was visited Thursday evening by a Aryeh Malkiel Dodelson, after I told him that there was a 22 page package that was mailed to hundreds & it seems the Weiss's are on solid ground. He said he'll email me right away their version of undoctored documents to prove that they aren't lying. I never received the "Dodelson version"-I think it all points in one direction. (Did I feel threatened by him? somewhat, yes!)

*             *                *                  *               *                  *                  *                *
Who is Mrs G. Dodelson referred by the Bai Din & ORA?
There is nowhere mentioned a Mrs. Weiss the wife of Rabbi Weiss, not in the siruv and not in the letter to Reb Reuvain Feinstein, why?

Is it acceptable for a cousin that's a nogei'ah to sign on a demand letter with the other Rabonim?

We were advised that Reb Shmuel Kamenetsky told Reb R. Feinstein that his signature is a forgery. We & others have tried to no avail contacting Reb Sholom Kamenetsky at the Yeshiva , even after leaving messages.

The Mechon L'Hoyroa Bais Din never issues a siruv if at least one of the parties doesn't reside in Monsey, NY. There was undue pressure put on the bais din, thertefore  they are disqualified as the Bais Din pertaining to anything in this case.
Intimidation, pressure, bias, etc all disqualify any Bais din. 

Rav Yechiel Tauber never signs by Mechon, especially on a siruv.

Hence there is no question on the non-validity of the Siruv.

There is no valid siruv, therfore the letter by the 4 Rabonim and the ORA involvement has no basis at all in Halacha.  It's a sort of a check-mate!

Why is the of A.M. Weiss's father even mentioned in the letter signed by the Rabonim & Rosh Yeshivas? Is it to intimidate & pressure?

Was ORA asked to spearhead the Demonstration?

What is the real story? I don't know

Dear Reb Yudel,

I just received this 22 page packet of documents that justify the Weiss side completly, which you will likely find interesting.

The documentation speaks for itself.

The sender -- who is VERY involved -- told me that it went out to a group of key Rabbanim today (Thursday), and asked to hold off any real pirsum until sometime tomorrow (Erev Shabbos). Incredibly, this measured, rational and detailed response is the first peep from the Weiss side, and I am told it was only done to remove the Chillul Hashem brought about by the recent publicity engendered by the Kotlers and ORA, that a Ben Torah is defying Beis Din and Gedolei Yisroel.

There is talk of RAMK trying to involve more people to pressure the Weisses shelo kedin, even at the price of a "get-mi'usah".

Anyone wishing to obtain a copy of the 22 page doc, write to kashrusy@aol.com.
In the subject line write         Weiss doc

Does the falseclaims act apply to Lakewood?

The False Claims Act-Whistleblower, Qui Tam

On behalf of its clients, Whistleblower, Qui Tam & False Claims Act Group utilizes the federal False Claims Act to seek legal redress against companies who have defrauded the federal or state government through any number of fraudulent schemes.

Successful whistleblower actions under the False Claims Act generally entitle the whistleblower to a reward ranging between 15% and 30% of the Government's overall recovery.

http://www.falseclaimsact.com/sfca_New_Jersey.php

According to the rema in shulchan oruch, Cedarbridge Corp owners are considered "moisirim". R"L

ORA's involvement?

ORA Organization was asked to organize the demonstration jointly with the Lakewood group participation. ORA sent out a letter to that affect.

Post demonstration, there was an ORA letter thanking the Lakewood etc participants. Others claim that the thank you letter was a forgery. Everyone agrees that ORA was joined by the Lakewood group. After much to do & a tumult, etc uultimately ORA stepped out of the picture.(at least publicly)

We sent an email to ORA to verify the thank you letter, their involvement and then their dis involvement, etc. We did not receive any response.  The wife's family claims that I am the author of the thank you letter & produced the forgery. It's a blatant lie. My reputation has been I don't lie, the others "sadly" don't have that reputation. [If this would be their last lie about me, I might consider to be moichel]

Someone familiar with the situation told me ORA was advised (guess by whom??) not to respond to me at all. (understandably)
Is ORA sill involved, though not publicly? Don't know.

Did Bais Din succomb to pressure? re: Weiss et al

After their own research, anyone that conclued that the Mechon Li'Horah has succumbed to pressure and overstepped their boundary from their normal procedures?

Make a kidush Hashem and email machon lehorah to protest their part in trampling on the torah hakodosha. (You may include a statement indicating if you will or will not consider using the Mechon in the future if the need arises.)

Send to both addresses. 

baisdin@thejnet.com

mechon@juno.com

Public Notice

Mishpacha magazine banned

Bottecilli extra virgin Olive oil inferior product?

Bottecilli extra virgin Olive oil inferior product?

When one called the Company to complain that there are pieces & impurities, the 68 oz Bottecelli company said we know the problem. The Bottecelli company sent a small 16 oz bottle instead of replacing the same 68 oz size.

With all of the publicity of extra virgin olive oil adulteration, it seems pennies saved in making good on an inferior product may cast a question mark on the purity of certain olive oils.

Kashrus Magazine-promoting non-kosher recipe books & diets?

The facts V fictional Theories

A notice of clarification for public vigilance

The Voice of Lakewood magazine approves of "treif" recipes?

Cheese-kosher certifier Reliable? NO!

The International Organizational Hashgochas don't rely on him either. (besides the Star-k)The mere fact that the Pomegranate store carries this & other questionable kashrus items doesn't justify an educated kosher consumer to purchase them.
Both brothers are not reliable in kashrus R"L.

Shabbos mode appliances are not shabbos friendly "Ossur"

Kosher slaughter ban fails to win majority in Dutch Senate as government proposes compromise

Kosher slaughter ban fails to win majority in Dutch Senate as government proposes compromise

An update Re: more whiskeys coming under kosher certification

Published on The Jewish Week (http://www.thejewishweek.com)Tuesday, December 13, 2011 Gamliel Kronemer Koval’s Chicago Whiskey is best served chilled or over ice. As the weather grows brisk, a sampling of micro-distillery whiskey. Special To The Jewish Week

Whiskey — wherever it is made, and in whatever style — is a great beverage for the winter. Just a few sips can warm the gullet, and take a bit of the chill off the coldest of winter nights.
All whiskeys were once almost universally considered kosher. But in the last few decades the kashrut of whiskey has come up for debate.

ROMAINE LETTUCE blamed for E.Coli

http://www.foodmanufacturing.com/scripts/ShowPR.asp?RID=23976&et_cid=2368241&et_rid=41384912&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.foodmanufacturing.com%2fscripts%2fShowPR.asp%3fRID%3d23976

*KCL doesn't certify treif establishments, no-one else should either

7-11, Yum-Yum & Dunkin DonutsThere isn't anymore in the USA any cholov-stam or Cholov-akum, it's all "Cholov-Treif". Rav Eliashev & Rav wosner said one may not rely on any heteirim that it isn't treif.

NOTE: Reb Moshe & Rav Zvi Pesah Frank only addressed the cholov stam issue, the new issue of Cholv treif (15 years ago) Reb Moshe did not address, Rav Eliyashev & Rav Wosner say according to the Shulchan Oruch "it's treif".

Party-Planners, can a hashgocha control them? We doubt it.

Kashrus Scandal:

Party planners are never under any Hashgocha

Party-Planners- Can a hashgocha control them? We doubt it.
 

They bring anything & everything from literally anyplace.
 
Rented equipment:
Pop corn machines- others may use butter & then used for fleishig party.
Chocolate machine- was used with dairy chocolate then used for fleishig affair.
Hot-dog machine- used for any brand hot dogs previously.
 
Candies, cakes, etc from anyplace.
Dishes, utensils from anyplace.
 
Reb Dovid Feinstein, Shlita said "A party planner on a shabbos event without chilul shabbos?, I don't think it can happen".
 
All Party-Planners must be under a strong Hashgocha, or don't use them.

Israeli brands olive oil fraud

http://couponingintheholyland.wordpress.com/2011/12/04/the-olive-oil-that-wasnt/

A frum mother of 4 children, read the article & respond in kind.

http://moriyasplace.blogspot.com/2011/06/in-defense-of-wendy-runge.html

Consumer Reports Raises Questions About Some Fish Oil Brands

Consumer Reports Raises Questions About Some Fish Oil Brands

[most soft gel caps are not kosher]

December 7, 2011 - YONKERS, N.Y. (PRNewswire-USNewswire) — In lab tests of 15 top-selling brands of fish oil supplements, Consumer Reports found that five fell a bit short on quality. Fish oil supplements have become wildly popular, with consumers taking them to treat a long list of ailments including menstrual cramps, heart disease, asthma, bipolar disorder, high blood pressure, depression, psoriasis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and pregnancy complications.

The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/08/books/extra-virginity-by-tom-mueller-a-word-on-olive-oil-review.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print

http://blog.sfgate.com/inberkeley/2011/12/08/you-may-not-like-whats-lurking-in-your-olive-oil/

 

December 7, 2011-Olive Oil’s Growers, Chemists, Cooks and CrooksBy DWIGHT GARNER

EXTRA VIRGINITY -The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil

By Tom Mueller - Illustrated. 238 pages. W. W. Norton & Company. $25.95.

A few pages into Tom Mueller’s new book, “Extra Virginity,” there’s a funny moment when an olive oil expert holds up a bottle that’s covered with dubious claims: “100 percent Italian,” “cold-pressed,” “extra virgin.”

Time To Face The Issue: Yeshiva Bochur Arrested For DWI

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/General+News/111330/Time-To-Face-The-Issue%3A-Yeshiva-Bochur-Arrested-For-DWI.html

All Schnapps should be banned at all weddings-The Misader Kidushin should insist on that standard, besides the fact that most of the Schnapps served does not have a hashgocha & may not be used.

Honey- What does honey consist of & are you getting all of it? NO!

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/11/tests-show-most-store-honey-isnt-honey/

Tilapia fillets skinless-Don't rely on the Hashgochas- Buy only with skin-tab

Tilapia fillets skinless-Don't rely on the Hashgochas-

Buy only with skin-tab "NO HASHGOCHA" at the

Washington Sea Food 52 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205-1202
Phone:(718) 875-2736

Another reason, one should insist on a "skin-tab" for frozen filet fish

UPDATE- We gave a hashgocha at a bar mitzvah this past week, we insisted on Tilapia with a skin-tab & NO Heimish HASHGOCHA on the box.

We wrote to Dagim, received No response nor acknowledgement.

TILAPIA fish-Frozen, skinless filet, with 2 prominent kosher certifiers
 International & Heimish Hashgochas.

Production date: "19 04 2011" (first day pesach?, ys)

Some of the production was done in June 2011, the prices are cheaper for April product. The importer is interested in $$$ bottom line. The Chinese took them knowingly for a ride.

The Mashgiach didn't "chap" the game, One supervised box for every 3-4 boxes from April that were unsupervised.

Old fashioned kitchen Latkes (pancakes)

Lakewood's Old fashioned kitchen Company's Latkes (pancakes) are yoshon & bishul Yisroel.

What's in your olive oil?

What's in Your Olive Oil? By Amy Zavatto -Published December 05, 2011 -FoxNews.com

Pretty bottles of olive oil make great holiday gifts, but what most of us who delight in drizzles of the golden liquid don’t realize is what’s in your bottle might not be what you expect—or want. And we’re not talkin’ fat.

China ISO food safety certifications double in last 12 months

http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/Quality-Safety/China-ISO-food-safety-certifications-double-in-12-months?utm_source=copyright&utm_medium=OnSite&utm_campaign=copyright

What is ISO?
http://www.iso.org/iso/about.htm
In general ISO certification in China is accomplished more through payment rather than performance,

Lakewood's new 7-11, pick up an abundance of "yiras-shu'maiyim"

At the Coffee machine,they have opened bottles of milk which may not be used as milk requires a "choisem", See Y"D, 118

The microwave may not be used to heat-up soups as it's also used for treif. The Slurpee's are also a problem to use.
All the chazerei & shmutz they display & sell.
 Pick up an abundance of "yiras-shu'maiyim", so many have lost theirs over there already. 

May one Dunkin Donut"?

May one Dunkin Donut"? NO!
Not even with the hashgocha?
But something is Cholov Yisroel?
Who is their fulltime shomer shabbos mashgiach?
The other items are cholov yishmael which is really Cholov-Treif, Per Rav Eliyashev, Rav Wosner Shlita.

Mehadrin Company Dairy products

Mehadrin Company Dairy products recently changed their Hashgocha to Rav Shia Katz, Magrov. Mazel Tov to Rav Katz on the upcoming Chasunah.

Mehadrin has also changed their yogurt size from 8 oz to 7 oz, the price remained unchanged.

Meshichistim Shechita from Israel certified by a Rabbi Usher Ekstein

Israeli cold cuts & processed  meats are from Meshichistim Shechita from Israel certified by a Rabbi Usher Ekstein.

Rav Yosef Sholom Eliyashev, Shlita says that their wine & Shechita is "ossur".
Ke$ef mi'ta'hair.....????

Kashrus Alert: Fresh & Easy cooking book has non-kosher recipes?

Kashrus Alert:
Fresh & Easy cooking book has non-kosher recipes?
An individual not being a trained expert in insect infestation is unqualified to check their own vegetables and herbs that may be infested.

Many of the recipes in the book use those non kosher vegetales & herbs. Therefore it is not recomended to use the book for any of their recipes.

Many of the recipes in the Hamodia & Yated have the same issues, it's best to discard the entire reci sections without reading them at all.

The truth behind the frozen "spinach" scandall.

The truth behind the frozen-spinach "shia'ruriah". Oh, you didn't even know that the consumers were fooled again. Spinach is an infested product in general. If it's picked in very cool dry weather e.g. early April, it may have a minimum infestation issue. This years production by the heimishe companys was done in late May, etc.

The Kosher certifiers didn't realize all these years that the processor doesn't have filters for the recirculated processing water which is full of insects. They wanted cancel their orders, the company didn't agree. The companies sold the infested goods to commercial foodservice clients, and the consumers eat it.

Can you find the difference? No Grenhouse w/ Hisachdus???

Left bags-Greenhouse grown was crossed off-No Grenhouse w/ Hisachdus???

One was found with insects,
the other one was not checked.

May one say "Korbonos, etc" before sunrise?

Ki'Vasikin minyan, must say it after davening.
Others must wait till after sunrise, which is now about 7:00 AM. See the shulchan oruch & mishnah Berurah.

Drinks, ices, etc w/ Grape should NOT be used unless

Drinks, ices, etc w/ Grape should NOT be used unless you can ascertain the source & hashgocha if it's acceptable to you. Not all Grape derivatives would be acceptable even with a hashgocha. Fierce Grape by Gatorade, we don't know what the grape derivative source is being used.