Update on the 5 Towns Kashrus

 Seasons' Double Standard and The Vaad HaKashrus of Five Towns             August 17, 2022

 (Lawrence, New York) Since August 3, many insects have been found in Seasons "checked" produce sold in its Lakewood, New Jersey, and Lawrence, New York branches. As of yet, no public recall or public notice on this serious issue has been issued either by Seasons or by the Vaad HaKashrus of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway. The Vaad HaKashrus of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway is the kosher certifier of Season’s Lawrence branch.

 Surprisingly, Seasons decided to have its Lakewood and Lawrence branches respond differently to this issue. Its Lakewood branch stopped selling almost all Seasons checked produce; see the recent picture below.

  However, at its Lawrence location, Seasons continues selling almost all the checked produce; see the recent The probable cause of the Season's apparent double standard is that the Lawrence branch is certified by the Vaad HaKashrus of Five Towns. According to many kashrus experts, it has a relatively low kashrus standard, especially concerning its Bedikas Toilaim expertise. (Bnei Torah in the Five Towns did not accept the standard of kashrus Vaad HaKashrus of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway and started a new Hashgacha named, Mehadrin of the Five Towns.) Seasons in Lawrence, therefore, has continued selling checked produce, as per the directive of its kosher certification.

 However, Seasons fears the many Lakewood Bnei Torah that could potentially boycott their Lakewood branch if they continue selling "checked" produce. Therefore, they stopped selling almost all the checked produce at their Lakewood branch. In the Five Towns, however, Bnei Torah are a minority, not yet considered an actual force, which negates Seasons for being concerned about a potential boycott.

  The Bnei Torah in the Five Towns' lack of power and recognition can be seen from when the Vaad Hakashrus of Five Towns and Far Rockaway (a Modern Orthodox organization) and its supporters recently gathered 50+ signatures for a letter that called for a boycott against the establishments that carry the new Bnei Torah Hashgacha in the Five Towns, Mehadrin of the Five Towns, a competitor of the Vaad Hakashrus of Five Towns and Far Rockaway.

  You can click here for the letter. 

 Following, is the written position of Rabbi Binyomin Forst of the Five Towns, one of the key Rabbis who led in opposition to the new Bnei Torah Hashgacha, Mehadrin of the Five Towns, who later refused to appear when summoned to Beis Din regarding his actions:

 "If a new hashgacha in Far Rockaway or the Five Towns is to be established, regardless of its qualifications, it will eventually destroy the Vaad as we know it. Anyone will be able to create a hashgacha and eventually some may be unreliable or untrustworthy. We need our Vaad to have the authority to strengthen the kashrus of our community. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that I ask each of our members not to rely upon any other hashgacha in our town. This is not for my benefit or for yours, but for the benefit of the entire community."

 Recently, Rabbi Binyomin Forst wrote a letter (see below) acknowledging that the Vaad Hakashrus of Five Towns and Far Rockaway was never a practical solution for Bnei Torah. He de facto conceded that the Bnei Torah who opened the new Hashgacha were correct in their analysis. He then introduces the reader to a  two-tiered system calling the higher level "Mehudar standard".

 Rabbi Forst further coined Seasons Supermarket in Lawrence as carrying a "Mehudar standard" of kashrus and claimed that it mirrors KCL's (Kashrus Council of Lakewood) strict standard of kashrus. Those disappointed with a KCL set of standards would likewise be disappointed with Forst's "Mehudar standard".

 The latest issue of selling "checked" buggy produce in a "Mehudar standard" store, questions not only the "Mehudar" status that Forst prides himself on, but also questions whether something deemed by Rabbi Forst and the Vaad Hakashrus of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway as being kosher is in reality kosher.

 Additionally, Rabbi Forst was the focal person who convinced many to sign against the new kashrus certification, as he was viewed as a respectful, neutral, and senior person who could only mean for Heaven's sake. However, Forst admits in the letter that he had joined the Vaad Hakashrus of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway. This move suggests that he was not a neutral party in the Vaad vs. Bnei Torah Hashgacha dispute. As you read the letter below, you become aware of how intertwined Forst was with the Vaad HaKashrus of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway before he officially joined them, which strongly questions his neutral standing.

 Rabbi Forst justified his harming a fellow Jew’s livelihood and boycotting an establishment certified by a Vaad’s competitor with, “anyone will be able to create a hashgacha and eventually some may be unreliable or untrustworthy.” Can it be that the term, “unreliable or untrustworthy” dispensed by Forst on an unknown future kashrus entity, is an apt description of where Forst and the Vaad Hakashrus of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway stand now, a mere two years later?

 Here is Rabbi Binyomin Forst’s recent letter:

 "Some eight years ago, with the help of Moish Feldhamer, I established a program by which members of our kehillah and the community at large would be able to ascertain whether any particular food establishment meets certain superior kashrus standards. We maintained a list of establishments conformed to a “mehudar” standard. This so-called “Mehudar List” was not advertised publicly so as not to undermine the authority of the Vaad, rather, each individual had to inquire about each category or vendor in question.

"However, this was obviously never a very practical solution. In addition, our community has grown and there are many more bnei-Torah who wish to follow these “higher standards” of kashrus. Accordingly, it became difficult to preserve the integrity and prestige of the Vaad while at the same time provide individuals with the ability to easily determine which vendors follow a mehudar standard. A possible solution could be setting up a two-tiered system in which there are two hashgachos within one organization: one basic hashgacha and an additional “mehadrin” hashgacha. A similar system is used in the Israeli “Rabbanut”. While this could feasibly work in our community, it may create division and ruin the beautiful unity of our community.

"In response to this need, the Vaad has created an innovative, new checklist system. This provides a profile for each vendor with a detailed and clear list of its standards. This includes whether a vendor uses Cholov/Pas Yisrael, Yoshon, Bishul Yisrael tuna, Anasakis free fish, simanim checked salmon/lox and other additional hidurim. In addition, the checklist shows the specific meat/chicken sources used by each vendor. In addition, the Vaad hired Rabbi Shimon Adler, someone with many years of experience and expertise in kashrus, to assist Rabbi Eisen and to oversee each vendor’s compliance with the checklist.

"This is a transparent and concise profile, available either through the storefront checklist in each store or through the “Establishments section” on the Vaad’s website www.vaadhakashrus.org. Thus, everyone is able to check and see exactly what is being used in any establishment. You should examine the checklist periodically to ensure that no changes have been made. One should note one important item in the checklist, called “Additional Kashrus Hidurim”. This includes hidurim such as the types of canned goods, hidurim in Bishul and Pas Akum, chicken/meat sources and other hidurim. This is generally similar to the mehudar standards that we maintained under the Mehudar program. Please also note that only establishments that use meat/chicken sources that were acceptable under the mehudar program, can receive this check.

"I am unaware of any such system to be found, certainly not in our area. Much thought has gone into the implementation of this system; it is unique and solves many issues. There is an overall, reliable hashgacha which fits the needs of the general community, and one for those who seek a mehudar standard. This mehudar standard is similar to the standard of the more stringent hashgachos such as Kehilla Kashrus and the KCL. Accordingly, anyone who takes kashrus more seriously should consult with their Rav whether to eat in any particular establishment. The fact that the Vaad may approve of a particular vendor, does not mean that it is acceptable for your use. Only your Rav can ascertain which vendor fits your standards.

"This is the beauty of this new system. We are all involved in one Vaad Hakashrus, under one leadership with one common goal. The difference is only in standards. There is a group of nine Rabbonim (myself included) from various kehillos who make all the decisions regarding general Vaad policy. The organization is completely subservient to these Rabbonim. We are all working together to bring kedushah and taharah into our community, each kehillah according to the standards set by each individual Rav."

"As for myself, I have closed our “Mehudar List”: as it is no longer necessary.

"Below is the list of establishments (in alphabetical order) that currently (as per the Vaad website on 4/10/22) receive all of the checks. Establishments marked with an asterisk are also currently yoshon (if applicable).

".......Lollibop, Mom’s Pastries*, Oldak Catering*, Pizza Pious*, Pizza’le*, Prime Bistro, Seasons Supermarket*, Sharmel Caterers, Spring Stop, Chop & Roll, Stop, Wok & Roll........."

 Should there be a response to Seasons, Vaad HaKashrus of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway, and Rabbi Binyomin Forst? If yes, what type of response?

We need our readers' input.....

Was there any upgrade in Season’s bug-checking procedures due to this serious issue? Is their kashrus level now of an acceptable or recommended standard? Until there is clarity on this issue, one is obligated not to rely blindly on Season’s checked produce, nor on the kashrus of Vaad Hakashrus of Five Towns and Far Rockaway.