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.
