https://www.faanews.com/2022/08/township-to-finalize-approval-for-kikar.html
Thursday, August 18, 2022
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Kashrus update for Lakewood, Five Towns, Rockaways, etc. "they all have the same low standard"
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 picture below.
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".
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.
Why is Tartikuv taking over so many of the Hisachdus (Broooklyn) Hashguchas???
Hisachdus Harabonim hired a new Kashrus Administrator, Reb Yoel Klein, who is upgrading the Hisachdus Hashgochas across the board, therefore many food service and vendors have to shape-up to their kashrus standards.
The other option is to use a kashrus certifier like TARTIKUV that adheres to AUTO-PILOT, pay the fee and can ride.
The vendors and food service love that arrangement, they say the kosher consumers are gullible.
The rising stakes of kashrut certification- Educational article
Producing strictly kosher food products for an increasingly fastidious religious public is becoming complicated and costly. But with an eye to big profits, the food industry is happy to comply.
Tuesday, August 09, 2022
Infestation scandals at Season's supermarket, Lakewood, 5 Towns, Passaic, etc.
5 Five Towns Vaad- Rabis Eisen, Forst
K`hal Nesiv Hatorah (R' Forst) (Mehadrin)
Queens Vaad Hakashrus
Are all the same low kashrus standard!

Sunday, August 07, 2022
Thursday, August 04, 2022
Sunday, July 31, 2022
Heimish Hashgochas using Blommer's Chocolate Dairy cholov akum "treif"

Kashrus Alert: Heimish Hashgochas using Blommer's Chocolate Dairy - cholov akum? "treif"
Blommers Chocolate (E. Greenville, PA) was kosher certified Parve for many years by the "OK Labs". now Star-D
Others were uncomfortable with blommer's for many years and considered Blommer's as dairy "cholov akum".
Hisachdus CRC, among other heimish hashgochas allowed it to be used as Parve, when it should not allowed it because of cholov akum (treif). It's still being used by their certified establishments as parve.Note: Reb Moshe Feinstein has a Teshuvah that the operated cows [4-8%] are "treif", therefore the heter that others are relying on on Reb Moshe is a falacy.
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Harav Samson Raphael Hirsch "defining PEACE / SHALOM. Achdus?
A century-and-a-half ago, writing in his journal Jeschurun, Harav Samson Raphael Hirsch, zt”l, brilliantly responded to this challenge.מה חובתו בעולמו!
... And now for the weekly Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch dvar Torah. Rav Hirsch interprets pesukim in novel ways, but he is often thought-provoking even when he repeats what we already know. In that spirit:
It bears remembering – especially in our day and age when tolerance has become the greatest virtue imaginable (someone once observed that tolerance is 9/10 indifference) – that Pinchas received the “covenant of peace” from G-d for killing two people! Indeed, not only did he receive this covenant; he and all his descendants for the rest of history merited to become kohanim. He also later “became” Eliyahu HaNavi (according to one opinion), the man who will usher in the era of Moshiach.
Why did Pinchas merit all this? Because he violently killed a man and woman sinning publicly.
“It was not the inactive standing apart of the masses,” writes Rav Hirsch,” “it was not even the tears of those who stood inactive at the entrance of the Sanctuary weeping at the treason; it was the honest brave act of Pinchas that saved the nation and restored his peace with G-d and His law and thereby brought back the basis for real true peace on earth.”
Love didn’t win the day. Nor did tolerance. Zealotry did. Why? Because if “a challenge to G-d finds no champion amongst a circle of human beings and the consciousness of the Rights that G-d has on them has disappeared from this circle, then they have lost G-d and thereby their own future existence” (which is why a plague started spreading among the Jews).
I read this latter sentence several times when I came across it a few days ago. It’s so much easier to stay at home and dismiss the world as crazy and unsalvageable. But Rav Hirsch seems to be saying that we have to protest anyways. Someone has to stand up for Hashem’s honor. If a woman is gravely insulted, she will be hurt if her husband doesn’t at least make some attempt to defend her. The insult remains in her memory, but she takes great comfort in knowing that her husband stood by her. The Chofetz Chaim writes that Hashem acts in a similar manner. If somebody attacks Him, He doesn’t get upset as long as His children – the Jewish people – defend Him. If we don’t, He grows angry at us.
We all love peace and harmony. But he “who, for the sake of so-called peace, quietly leave the field to people who are really at variance with G-d” stands “with the enemies of the bris shalom on earth” – since true peace between men “rests on the peace of all of them with G-d.”
These are words to remember next time – to pick just one example – people try to organize a pride parade in Israel (or anywhere else). It’s not everybody’s job to constantly fight and publicly defend Hashem’s honor. But someone has to, and people in positions of power especially bear this obligation.
Have a good Shabbos.
Monday, July 25, 2022
Sunday, July 24, 2022
Shatnez in Ties!
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Friday, July 22, 2022
Funds raised for a Moisid's building, etc
Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky's (and Reb Moshe's) opinion was:
When funds are raised for a Moisid's building fund, either through the parents or the Tzibur, the building belongs to the Tzibur, not to the head or family of the Moisid.
If parents are made to contribute for the "Building-fund", they have a right to use the simcha hall, etc.
The "Building fund" is not an additional tuition.
Shooting in Schools, they threw out G-D from the schools
50 YEARS LATER, HOW SCHOOL-PRAYER RULING CHANGED AMERICA
Fifty years ago this week, on June 25, 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court declared school-sponsored prayers unconstitutional in the landmark case Engel v. Vitale.
Public outrage was immediate and widespread. For millions of Americans, the Court had “kicked God out of the schools,” to use a phrase that has entered the culture-war lexicon.
Five decades later, Engel continues to be reviled by a good number of televangelists and politicians who take every opportunity to rail against the “godless public schools.” Eliminating school-sponsored prayer, they argue, set America on the road to moral and spiritual ruin.
Over the years, the absence of “school prayer” has been linked to almost every social ill, from schoolhouse shootings to drug addiction.
One popular YouTube video asks why God doesn’t do something about the terrible things happening to our students in public schools — and a deep voice replies in ominous tones, “I am not allowed in schools.”
That the high court’s prayer ruling is to blame for America’s decline makes a compelling narrative, raising millions of dollars for advocacy groups year after year.
But here’s the catch: It isn’t true.
Let’s start by stating the obvious: The moral state of the union can’t be correlated to the frequency of government prayers in schools or anywhere else. After all, in the era of daily teacher-led prayers, America had any number of social ills, including segregated public schools.
Just as it would be absurd to blame teacher-led prayer for racism or other moral failures in the 1950s, it makes no sense to blame the absence of such prayers for our moral failures today.
But the Big Lie in the school-prayer debate is the false charge that the Supreme Court expelled God or eliminated praying from public schools. In reality, the Court has never banned prayers in schools — in Engel or in any other decision.
Instead, the Court ruled that, under the establishment clause of the First Amendment, “it is no part of the business of government to compose official prayers for any group of the American people to recite as a part of a religious program carried on by government.”
In other words, state-sponsored prayers in schools are unconstitutional. Students, on the other hand, are fully free to pray in public schools — alone or in groups, as long as they don’t disrupt the school or interfere with the rights of others.
It’s true that in the aftermath of the Engel decision, some school administrators took things too far by prohibiting constitutionally protected student religious expression. Of course, other administrators and school boards practiced civil disobedience by continuing school-sponsored religious practices in defiance of the Court’s ruling.
But in recent decades, most public school officials have begun to get religion — and prayer — right. They (finally) understand the difference between government speech promoting religion — which the establishment clause prohibits — and student religious speech, which the free-exercise and free-speech clauses protect.
Visit most public schools today and you are likely to see students praying around the flagpole, attending religious club meetings, giving each other religious literature, saying grace before lunch, talking about their faith in class discussions and in other ways expressing their religious convictions.
In fact, there is more student religious expression in public schools today than at any time since the 19th century. Far from being “kicked out,” God goes to school today through the First Amendment door.
Critics of the Court’s ruling in Engel v. Vitale do have one thing right: The decision changed America — just not in the way they think.
Gone are the days when one faith (historically Protestant Christianity) dominated the public schools and the public square. Today, thanks in no small measure to Engel, we are closer than ever to the full religious freedom envisioned by the First Amendment — a level playing field for people of all faiths and none.
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
Take action NOW!
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi could hold a voice vote on House Resolution 1209: Recognizing that it is the duty of the Federal Government to develop and implement a Transgender Bill of Rights to protect and codify the rights of transgender and nonbinary people under the law and ensure their access to medical care, shelter, safety, and economic security.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 95-0)
The “Transgender Bill of Rights” will unleash the most radical, antireligious discrimination America has yet faced. In addition to the full panoply of LGBTQ, this resolution also includes abortion.
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Worse than the Equality Act, this resolution attacks religious freedom, free speech, privacy, and women’s rights—all in one resolution! And it includes abortion. Its impact will be widespread—affecting churches; religious colleges and universities; public, private, and Christian schools; curriculum; religious and private organizations; employers; employees; individuals; foster care and adoption; shelters; local, state, and federal entities; privacy; women’s rights and much more! HR 1209 is anti-science. Transgenderism is a mental disorder, wrongly labeled as a dysphoria by the DSM 5 of the American Psychiatric Association under political pressure. This will enable and harm those afflicted with this mental disorder and serves no medical or ethical purpose.
Contact your U.S. Representatives NOW to VOTE NO on H. Res. 1209 NOW!
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OU-Shabbos Refrigerator by GE - All price ranges (no top freezer models)
Appliances
OU Kosher Staff January 6, 2022Transition to OU Kosher Supervision Brings Improvements to Shabbos Mode on “GEA” Division Ovens and Refrigerators
OU Kosher is in the process of certifying several GE Appliances (formerly GE) to help observant Jews keep the laws of the Sabbath, or Shabbos. Until recently, Shabbos-compliant ovens were certified by the Star-K agency. As of Jan 2022, some of these appliances will come under the supervision of OU Kosher, the world’s largest and most recognized kosher certification agency.
The change to OU Kosher supervision has been in the works for the past few years, as OU Kosher collaborated with ZMAN Technologies of Clifton, N.J. and GE Appliances (GEA) on the development of new technology under the strictest laws of kashrus to make a line of refrigerators that qualify for Shabbos use. Now, after changing the landscape for kosher certification in refrigerators, GEA — with the guidance of OU Kosher — has now expanded to ovens, raising the bar even higher for Sabbath-permissible cooking appliances.
Working closely with engineers at GE Appliance Park in Louisville, Ky. Rabbi Tzvi Ortner, Director of OU Kosher Technology, assisted in developing technical specifications for the new “Shabbos mode” in GE Appliances ovens.
“With our halachic guidance, GEA has become more committed to developing advanced technology that continually raises the bar for Shabbos and holiday observance,” Rabbi Ortner said. “For the first time ever in appliance certification, we now have a full line of ovens and refrigerators that can be used freely on Shabbos and Yom Tov.”
Said OU Kosher CEO Rabbi Menachem Genack, “Increasingly sophisticated appliances have necessitated the need for more complex solutions to keeping Shabbos. Our partnership with GEA and ZMAN Technologies allows us to support the community far beyond food certification.”
Said OU Kosher COO Rabbi Moshe Elefant, “This collaboration between OU Kosher, ZMAN Technologies and GEA is yet another step forward in the development of software and hardware to help people better prepare for and enjoy Shabbos.”
Added GE Appliances’ Customer Marketing Senior Manager Kelly Hestern, “It’s amazing to see how such a major brand as GEA was able to recognize and address the needs of the Orthodox Jewish community.”
Ovens that Star-K Certified
Not all appliances that were certified by Star-K qualify for OU certification; only those models that have the capabilities of the OU Shabbos Keeper – a separate attachment to ensure OU Kosher certification – will be OU Kosher-certified. These can be found on the Zman Technologies model listing page. This list will be updated as additional appliances achieve OU Kosher certification.
Enhanced Shabbos Mode
The GE “Shabbos Keeper” for ovens uses an “Enhanced Shabbos Mode” that enables users to open and close the oven door without compromising or breaking any Shabbos laws, ensuring the appliances remain strictly kosher. With previous models, the oven door could only be opened once; the enhanced mode automates heating elements and flames so that user activity doesn’t affect the appliance or its functions.
Unlike standard Shabbos modes, the Enhanced Shabbos Mode fully controls door switches, including safety shutoff, lights, buttons and sensors so that the appliances aren’t affected by the user. The Shabbos Keeper also has a built-in function that syncs with the Jewish calendar to automate Shabbos mode each week and every Yom Tov – for the next 30 years.
Next Generation of Appliances
While most of GEA’s appliances already use the “Shabbos Keeper,” the company also will launch a new generation of appliances that will be OU certified independent of the Shabbos Keeper.
Consumers seeking to purchase appliances compatible with Shabbos and Yom Tov are advised to select models certified by a reliable kashrus organization. Consumers who have questions or concerns may contact GEA directly at 1-800-626-2005.
Monday, July 18, 2022
Thursday, July 14, 2022
Yoshon updates:
The following is provided by the Yoshon program established by Reb Yosef Heman, Z"L
Sunday, July 10, 2022
Thursday, July 07, 2022
Re: controversy of Chickens currently being processed at Birdsboro poultry, under Hisachdus of Brooklyn.
Others affiliated with Monroe claim there is no Mesorah on these chickens that are being processed at
Birdsboro. We visited there recently and the chickens processed that day were with the required Mesorah.The picture of the chicken on the car, is a setup by a disgruntled former shoichet.
Sunday, July 03, 2022
Roe V Wade clarification
The Supreme Court realized that at a certain stage (what ever that stage is 40 days, heart beat, etc.) the fetus is a living viable human being, and abortion is just plain cold blooded murder, for want of a better word. All those involved should be charged with Homicide.
















