White Labs Achieves Kosher Certification for United States Produced House Yeast Strains and Enzymes

White Labs Achieves Kosher Certification for United States Produced House Yeast Strains and Enzymes

04 | 06 | 2016

SAN DIEGO (April 5, 2016) – White Labs , the premier pure yeast and fermentation lab, is proud to announce that house yeast strains and enzymes produced in the company’s San Diego and Davis, Calif. facilities have been certified kosher by STAR-K. The official kosher certification logo, a star with a “K” inside, may now be seen on the back of all U.S. produced product packaging.

The STAR-K Kosher Certification is a guarantee that White Labs house yeast strains and enzyme ingredients meet all kosher requirements. Those requirements include the Jewish religion’s laws that determine which foods are acceptable and conform to the Jewish Code. To become certified, White Labs worked with STAR-K representatives to evaluate the company’s ingredients and products. As a condition of the certification, STAR-K audits the production facilities regularly throughout the year to ensure kosher compliance.

“Having our house yeast strains and enzymes kosher certified is an investment in our company that we hope our customers will appreciate,” said […]

ALPINE VALLEY BREADS

ALPINE VALLEY BREADS

03 | 30 | 2016

ALPINE VALLEY BREADS NOW CERTIFIED PAS YISROEL

STAR-K  is happy to announce that ALL Alpine Valley Bread products baked after 3/16/2016 are certified pas yisroel. Products with the number Q076 or higher on the plastic bag fastener were baked after 3/16/2016

Alpine Valley Bread is available at Costco and other major retailers nationwide

STAR-K Speakers Bureau Takes Kashrus on the Road, Near and Far

STAR-K Speakers Bureau Takes Kashrus on the Road, Near and Far

02 | 23 | 2016

On January 28, STAR-K Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Sholom Tendler addressed the Shomrei Emunah Night Kollel, in Baltimore, about the practical halachos related to cholov Yisroel and its differing common practices in the field of kashrus. A PowerPoint production detailed STAR-K’s management of cholov Yisroel hashgacha at Kreider Farms.

“Rabbi Tendler’s presentation was the perfect complement for the night kollel’s study of the sugya of cholov Yisroel,” remarked Rabbi Shmuel Iser, Rosh Kollel.  “His clear exposition of the halachos and valuable and in-depth knowledge of issues in the real life field of cholov Yisroel hashgachah were greatly appreciated by the fellows of the night kollel.  It is always a wonderful thing when you can take a sugya you are learning and translate it into the real world.”

Rabbi Tendler was also invited to Detroit, on February 10, to present the latest developments in the world of kashrus and bug infestation, including hands-on cleaning […]

Cleveland: Graeter’s coming to Crocker Park Next Summer

Cleveland: Graeter’s coming to Crocker Park Next Summer

01 | 11 | 2016

http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/news/local_news/graeter-s-coming-to-crocker-park-next-summer/article_038edf3a-b495-11e5-8267-27407b9aae50.html

JULIA FAIR
Special to the CJN

Graeter’s first Cleveland location will offer ice cream, sundaes, milkshakes and old-fashioned sodas, all with a star-D kosher rating.

Graeter’s, which opened in Cincinnati in 1870, plans to open an ice cream parlor in Crocker Park in Westlake next summer.

“Our first Cleveland scoop shop will allow us to share our love for authentic ice cream with the community while staying true to our vision of quality and integrity,” Richard Graeter, fourth-generation owner of Graeter’s Ice Cream, said in a news release.

The 2,000-square-foot store will look like an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, accommodating up to 50, according to the release.

“It’s still in the relatively early stages,” Chip Graeter, chief of retail operations for Graeter’, said about the Westlake location. “We’re still setting up all the details with the lease and making sure all of our T’s are crossed and our I’s are […]

STAR-K Kosher Certification Hosts Winter Mashgichim Review Seminar

STAR-K Kosher Certification Hosts Winter Mashgichim Review Seminar

12 | 31 | 2015

http://matzav.com/star-k-kosher-certification-hosts-winter-mashgichim-review-seminar/

http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=68533

 

On December 24, STAR-K Kosher Certification held its annual Winter Mashgichim Review Seminar at its Baltimore offices.  STAR-K Kashrus Administrators Rabbis Mayer Kurcfeld and Sholom Tendler conducted the day-long sessions with the goal of bringing together food service mashgichim to inform, review, and reinforce STAR-K food service policies and procedures. Attendees came from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, D.C., and the Baltimore area.

“Everybody at the STAR-K knows that the mashgichim out in the field are the eyes and ears of our organization and even though STAR-K is a large kashrus organization and gives hashgachos all over the world, food service—which is a relatively small part of STAR-K’s activities—is probably the most important thing that we do,” noted STAR-K president Avrom Pollak, in his opening welcome statement. “The most important part of the program has always been the give and take sessions between the mashgichim themselves, and the […]

The Family that Makes Kosher Together

The Family that Makes Kosher Together

12 | 30 | 2015

http://mobile.philly.com/news/?wss=/philly/news&id=363787961&

At Muhlenberg College’s dining hall, Jonathan Powers turns on the ovens, makes sure the eggs contain no blood spots, and inspects the broccoli and cauliflower for forbidden pests.

They are some of his duties as the Allentown college’s mashgiach, a Jew who supervises a food establishment to make sure the dietary laws of his faith are followed.

“We’re here to make sure everything is kosher,” explains Powers, 41, “and that all the food that comes in is kosher.”

The college hired him five years ago when it opened two kosher food stations in its new dining hall in an effort to better serve Jewish students.

For Powers, the work is a family tradition; his mother, Louise, 66, is a kosher supervisor at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., and his father, Mark, 66, holds the job at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster.

Nearly a third of Muhlenberg’s 2,200 students are Jewish, among the highest percentages […]

Congratulations to 3 of our Companies on their Kosherfest wins!

Congratulations to 3 of our Companies on their Kosherfest wins!

11 | 16 | 2015

http://www.koshertoday.com/breaking-news-jacks-gourmet-bbq-pulled-beef-brisket-crowned-best-show-kosherfest-2015-new-products-competition-125-new-products-17-categories-judged/

Congratulations to the following 3 companies for winning the Kosherfest new product competition!

Shay’s Chocolate– Dairy Caramel Popcorn (Sweet Snacks Category)
Ceres (Stanmar International)- Fruit Juice (Beverages- Non-Alcoholic)
Froozer/Cool Frootz, LLC (Frozen Desserts)

Combine Kosher and Organic Certifications in a Single Audit

Combine Kosher and Organic Certifications in a Single Audit

10 | 08 | 2015

http://www.qai-inc.com/newsroom/enews/qnews_2015_q3_combined-audits.asp

The rapidly rising parallel global demand for both kosher and organic certifications has created a flourishing specialty food category, kosher organic, for products that meet both the strict requirements of Jewish dietary laws and the USDA National Organic Program specifications. To satisfy the growing numbers of companies worldwide that opt for both of these certifications, QAI and STAR-K Kosher Certification, based in Baltimore, Maryland, introduced a joint kosher and organic auditing program in January 2009. It provides two certifications with a single audit. This streamlined auditing process reduces overall certification costs, saves time and provides excellent service.

What is required of a plant that wants to become and stay kosher compliant? Specific regulations often depend on the nature of the plant. For example, if Plant A produces both kosher and non-kosher in the same facility and Plant B is entirely kosher, Plant A will have additional regulations regarding the use of […]

Yoshon Season Has Officially Started (Guides Included)

Yoshon Season Has Officially Started (Guides Included)

10 | 08 | 2015

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/349192/yoshon-season-has-officially-started-guides-included.html

http://www.thelakewoodscoop.com/news/2015/10/star-k-offers-clarity-as-yoshon-season-begins-guide.html

http://matzav.com/yoshon-primer-as-season-begins/

http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=64754

Yoshon season has officially started. Many people get confused about what the terms Yoshon and Chodosh are. Here we present a brief explanation of each, followed by some product information.

The Torah (Vayikra 23:14) states that the new (i.e., Chodosh) crop of the five grains may not be eaten until after the second day of Passover (i.e., in Israel; in the Diaspora, not until after the third day). This means that the grain harvested this summer would not be allowed until after Passover of next year (i.e., 2016/5776). The term Yoshon (literally, old) refers to crops harvested last summer that became permitted after the following Passover. Thus, the 2014 crop of grains, harvested last summer, became permitted after this past Passover (i.e., 2015/5775). Grain planted at least two weeks (see Dagul Mervava Y.D. 293) or more before Passover is permitted upon harvest since it took root before […]

STAR-K Presents Shiur on Chalav Yisrael to the Yungerleit of Baltimore’s Khal Chasidim Kollel L’Horo’ah

STAR-K Presents Shiur on Chalav Yisrael to the Yungerleit of Baltimore’s Khal Chasidim Kollel L’Horo’ah

09 | 10 | 2015

http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=64277

September 10 – Baltimore–STAR-K Certification Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Sholom Tendler was invited by HaRav Hershel Rosenfeld, the Rosh HaKollel of Baltimore’s newest kollel, Khal Chassidim Kollel L’Horo’ah, to present a shiur on chalav Yisrael to the yungerleit, on Labor Day.

Explaining how the chalav Yisrael kashrus program for STAR-K certified “Pride of the Farm” works, Rabbi Tendler began by reviewing the basic halachos of chalav Yisrael. He then covered how the farm operates and what oversight and safeguards are in place to ensure the cows are kosher and not “treifa”—i.e., that they are not operated on or have any sicknesses that would affect the kashrus of the milk. He concluded with an explanation of how the milk is watched and tracked to ensure chalav Yisrael status and maintained l’mihadrin min ha’mihadrin.

“Rabbi Sholom Tendler, besides being a big Talmid Chuchem, is an expert in Kashrus,” noted HaRav Rosenfeld. “The way he […]

Pluto and the Tur’s Jewish Calendar Cycle

Pluto and the Tur’s Jewish Calendar Cycle

09 | 09 | 2015
By: Rabbi Dovid Heber

http://www.thelakewoodscoop.com/news/2015/09/pluto-and-the-turs-jewish-calendar-cycle.html

http://matzav.com/pluto-and-the-turs-jewish-calendar-cycle/

http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=64235

“New Horizons” (NASA’s Mission to Pluto) recently came within 7,800 miles of Pluto and brought much attention to this dwarf planet that at any given time is between 2.66 billion and 4.68 billion miles away from Earth.

As we begin Rosh Hashanah, 5776, which will mark the beginning of the final year of the 304th nineteen year cycle since Brias Haolam (the creation of the world), it is interesting to note the amazing similarity between the amount of time it takes Pluto to orbit the the sun and the Jewish Calendar cycle based on 13 – nineteen year cycles found in the Tur (Orach Chaim Siman 428).

The Tur’s chart is based on a 247-year cycle and it takes Pluto about 247 years to orbit the sun.

This is the Tur’s 247-year calendar found in Orach Chaim, Siman 428, in Hilchos Rosh Chodesh. Note the marks we have added […]

Two STAR-K Kashrus Training Seminars Draw Participants from Toronto to Deerfield Beach

Two STAR-K Kashrus Training Seminars Draw Participants from Toronto to Deerfield Beach

07 | 28 | 2015

http://matzav.com/two-star-k-kashrus-training-seminars-draw-participants-from-toronto-to-deerfield-beach/

​http://www.thelakewoodscoop.com/news/2015/07/two-star-k-kashrus-training-seminars-draw-participants-from-toronto-to-deerfield-beach-photos.html

http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=62702

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/329375/two-star-k-kashrus-training-seminars-draw-participants-from-toronto-to-deerfield-beach.html

Baltimore, MD – July 27, 2015 – If you place food on a crock pot that is on a timer for Shabbos, is it considered bishul Yisroel? Beyond the food, what obligations does a Kashrus agency have in a facility, e.g., the attire of the wait staff, the type of entertainment and music played, etc.? What is the criterion for Kashrus agencies to decide whether or not to certify an establishment that has just lost its certification?

The answers to these intriguing questions and more were shared by STAR-K Rabbinic Administrator HaRav Moshe Heinemann, shlita, at the 12th Annual STAR-K Kashrus Training Program, held July 13-16, and its back-to-back annual Food Service Kashrus Training Seminar, held July 20-22, in STAR-K’s Baltimore, Maryland, offices.  The former was coordinated by STAR-K Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Zvi Goldberg; the latter, by STAR-K Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Sholom Tendler.  In addition to lectures […]

Kosher Certification Helps Increase Market Share

Kosher Certification Helps Increase Market Share

06 | 21 | 2015

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2015/06/21/fin03.asp

by Rohana Jayalal

The Jewish population is growing all over the world and the demand for Kosher certified products is increasing fast, Head, India and South East Asia Operations of Star-K Kosher Certification organisation, Joel Weinberger, told a seminar on Kosher Certification for food and beverage export industries.

The seminar was organised by the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) at its auditorium in Colombo last week.

Excerpts from his speech

The Kosher market has been growing at an annual rate of 15% for the past several years and Kosher-certified products continue to outsell organic and all natural products. Food manufacturers in North America and Europe, looking for new sources of ingredients, increasingly turn to Asian countries such as India to keep up with demand.

‘Kosher’ was the most frequently used claim on new products launched in the US according to recent market research, more frequently used than ‘All Natural’ and ‘No […]

Mevakshai Hashem Cheder Students Get Their Kashrus Queries Answered by STAR-K Certification

Mevakshai Hashem Cheder Students Get Their Kashrus Queries Answered by STAR-K Certification

06 | 10 | 2015

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/318326/mevakshai-hashem-cheder-students-get-their-kashrus-queries-answered-by-star-k-certification.html

http://matzav.com/mevakshai-hashem-cheder-students-have-their-kashrus-queries-answered-by-star-k-certification/

http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=61182

Last month, STAR-K Certification received an envelope filled with handwritten letters that asked questions like: ‘How many different lands do you go to, to give a hechsher?’ ‘How many hours a day do you spend at each company?’ and ‘How do you become a mashgiach?’ Accompanying the inquisitive, complimentary letters full of hakaras hatov, written by the obviously precocious second graders of Mevakshai Hashem– a Chasidishe cheder located in Boro Park–was a cover letter addressed to STAR-K by the boys’ rebbe, Rabbi Dovid Weinberger:

“These letters were written to you as part of our school’s General Studies “food science project”. This program consisted of writing first to ordinary food companies, and then to kashrus agencies. Each class was given another organization to write to; we chose the STAR-K.”

Eight-year-old Chananya Rosenberg was creative in illustrating every letter “K” in his letter as a “STAR-K” logo when he wrote:

“I want […]

Jewish-Chinese Connections

Jewish-Chinese Connections

05 | 09 | 2015

http://www.aish.com/jw/s/Jewish-Chinese-Connections.html

Lost Jews of China

In the Middle Ages, Jewish traders following the ancient Silk Road spice route settled in China, forming a community in the city of Kaifeng. Kaifeng was then one of the “Seven Ancient Capitals of China” and one of the world’s largest metropolises, with a population of close to one million. China’s ruling Song Emperors welcomed the Jews as welcome guests, bestowing seven family names that these Kaifeng Jews could use – some of which are still carried by their descendents in the town today.

Kaifeng’s Jewish community thrived at first, building its first synagogue in 1163, and eventually swelling to several thousand members. Smaller Jewish communities sprung up in other towns in China. Unlike many Jewish communities elsewhere, it seems that China’s Jews faced little or no persecution. Ironically, the lack of discrimination they faced in China seems to have hastened their end.

A model of the Kaifeng […]

Rabbi Dr. Moshe Tendler Revisits the Question of Kosher Veal

Rabbi Dr. Moshe Tendler Revisits the Question of Kosher Veal

04 | 23 | 2015

Click here to visit the entire article and pictures: http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=59168

Baltimore, MD  – April 23, 2015 – It is well known that when the Posek Hador, Rav Moshe Feinstein, Zatza”l, wrote his famous Teshuva inIgros Moshe Even HaEzer IV 92, in 1982, which placed severe restrictions on the production and purchase of Kosher white veal to the point that those who followed his Psak stopped eating Veal, his son-in-law,  Rabbi Dr. Moshe D. Tendler, Shlit”a, a Rosh Yeshiva in Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchonon, Rov in Monsey and biology professor at Yeshiva University, was Rav Moshe’s “right hand” in this psak. Rabbi Dr. Tendler in addition to his vast knowledge of Halacha and Science, had significant practical experience in Shechita including having headed the Shechita department of the Orthodox Union for a time.

Since then, Rav Tendler, Shlit”a, and many of his and Rav Moshe’s Talmidim, have abstained from eating veal due to […]

STAR-K Speakers Bureau Travels Near and Far to Bring Kashrus to a Variety of Venues

STAR-K Speakers Bureau Travels Near and Far to Bring Kashrus to a Variety of Venues

02 | 23 | 2015

http://matzav.com/star-k-speakers-bureau-travels-near-and-far-to-bring-kashrus-to-a-variety-of-venues

https://www.chazaq.org/?section=news&k=star-k-speakers-bureau-travels-near-and-far-to-bring-kashrus-to-a-variety-of-venues

http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=57739

It was not Rabbi Mayer Kurcfeld’s first time in South Bend, Indiana, when he traveled there on January 27. Although the STAR-K Kashrus Administrator had been there previously, solely on Kashrus business, this time, in addition, he was asked by Rabbi Meir Bulman, Rav of the Hebrew Orthodox Congregation, to make two, women-only, vegetable inspection presentations– one for the Bais Yaakov of Indiana high school students and the other for the women of the community.

“I was totally amazed and, quite frankly, pleasantly surprised at the number of frum women who attended,” admitted Rabbi Kurcfeld. “Additionally, it gave me great pleasure to see both their attention and enthusiasm, but more so, the seriousness they gave the subject matter by really trying their utmost to learn the process in the short time that we had.”

Rabbi Kurcfeld is part of STAR-K’s Speakers Bureau, comprised of administrative staff members who […]

STAR-K Kosher Certification Sets Precedent with Staff HACCP Training

STAR-K Kosher Certification Sets Precedent with Staff HACCP Training

01 | 09 | 2015

http://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/products/star-k-kosher-certification-sets-precedent-with-staff-haccp-training/

http://www.gourmetretailer.com/top-story-center_store-star_k_kosher_certification_haccp_trains_entire_administrative_staff_-11976.html

http://www.qai-inc.com/newsroom/enews/qnews_2015_q4_haccp-training.asp

STAR-K Kosher Certification has become the first major organization of its kind to train its entire Kosher administrative staff in Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP)––a systematic, scientifically-based approach to food safety, provides a method for identifying significant physical, chemical, and microbiological hazards in the production of food and implementing control measures to prevent, eliminate, or reduce significant hazards to an acceptable level.

The two-day in-house training at STAR-K’s Baltimore headquarters was lead by NSF International in November 2014. The Kosher organization’s staff traveled from all over the U.S. After formal training, all staff members passed the qualifying exam.

“STAR-K Kosher Administrators, who are already visiting plants to set up impeccable Kosher standards, have a distinct advantage when they are proficient in areas of food safety, as well,” explains STAR-K Kosher Certification president Dr. Avrom Pollak. “It is with that in mind that we arranged to have NSF International […]

STAR-K Visit Highlighted by Rav Binyomin Friedman on Atlanta Scholars Kollel Trip

STAR-K Visit Highlighted by Rav Binyomin Friedman on Atlanta Scholars Kollel Trip

12 | 31 | 2014

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/278129/STAR-K-Visit-Highlighted-by-Rav-Binyomin-Friedman-on-Atlanta-Scholars-Kollel-Trip.html

One of the first stops Rabbi Binyomin Friedman made in Baltimore, on Thursday, December 11, after flying up the night before from Atlanta, was STAR-K Kosher Certification. The dozen or so men, aged 30-60, who accompanied him were just some of his students at the Atlanta Scholars Kollel (ASK). The Kollel organized the trip for the purpose of providing the opportunity to learn in a Yeshiva—something that most of these men had never experienced in person.

“We spent Thursday through Sunday at Yeshivas Ner Yisroel,” says Rabbi Friedman, an alumnus of the yeshiva who is the Rav of Congregation Ariel in Dunwoody, Georgia, in addition to one of the founding rebbeim of ASK. “When we were not learning, we spent our time learning about the infrastructure of a frum community. The STAR-K was one of our first stops. Commercial Kashrus supervision is fundamental to the existence of the contemporary Jewish […]

Baltimore Chesed Response Organizations Showcased To Visiting Group From Detroit

Baltimore Chesed Response Organizations Showcased To Visiting Group From Detroit

12 | 08 | 2014

http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=55132

By BJLife/Isaac Draiman
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 8 – This past Sunday a group visiting from Detroit had an opportunity to learn about the various response organizations that serve the Baltimore Jewish Community.

Approximately 30 visitors traveling to Baltimore with the Partners in Torah branch of Detroit came to Baltimore to see how our Orthodox Community is structured. After visiting Ner Israel and having a meeting with the Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Aharon Feldman, shlita, they came to Bnos Yisroel to see firsthand the uniqueness of our chesed organizations.

Representatives of Hatzolah, Shomrim and Chaverim were on hand, explaining their histories and services provided. Dovid Heyman, Executive Director and Paramedic with Hatzalah of Baltimoreexplained the lifesaving emergency services they provide. Nathan Willner, General Counsel  and  Michael Diamond, dispatcher, of the Baltimore Shomrim Safety Patrol , and David Bagan, President of Chaverim also took turns explaining their organizations services as well. Many of the […]

What it Took for STAR-K to Certify the GA Under Secret Service Surveillance

What it Took for STAR-K to Certify the GA Under Secret Service Surveillance

11 | 19 | 2014

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/272450/what-it-took-for-star-k-to-certify-the-ga-under-secret-service-surveillance.html

http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=54403

[By: Margie Pensak]

Security was tight at STAR-K Certification’s largest and most challenging food service supervision, to date–The Jewish Federations of North America’s 2014 General Assembly (GA), the premier annual North American Jewish communal event, held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, in National Harbor, Maryland, November 9-12. Vice President Joe Biden was one of the several scheduled speakers and I had to make sure I arrived early enough before Gaylord’s security lockdown. I never did get to see the Vice President, while I was touring the kosher kitchen with STAR-K Assistant Director of Supervision Rabbi Mayer Kurcfeld, who spearheaded the kashrus team for this event. But, I did feel the thrill of the anticipation of his arrival, as I went through more than one security checkpoint and watched a sniffing K-9 attack trained German shepherd police dog check out the crowd!

The Gaylord National Resort & Convention […]

STAR-K Food Service Kashrus Training Seminar Draws Attendees from Far and Near

STAR-K Food Service Kashrus Training Seminar Draws Attendees from Far and Near

08 | 06 | 2014

http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=51435

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/253323/star-k-food-service-kashrus-training-seminar-draws-attendees-from-far-and-near.html

Baltimore, MD – Aug. 4– Yosef Cohen has been attending a community kollel in Raanana, Israel, for the past five years. He decided to sign up forSTAR-K’s Food Service Kashrus Training Seminar, held July 28-30, because he is considering moving back to the US and will need a parnasa.

“I was always interested in Hashgacha and have taken a Hashgacha course in Eretz Yisroel and received a certificate from Rav Efrati and the Rabanut of Israel,” notes Mr. Cohen, a first time STAR-K seminar attendee.  “The STAR-K training seminar was a great review of the pertinent Halachos, and gave amazing hands on information and tips for the seasoned and beginner.”

What Mr. Cohen found most helpful was learning how to deal with the vendors: “We learned to always be a mensch and remember that you are the Rabbi while on the job, whether you think of yourself like that or […]

STAR-K’s 11th Annual Kashrus Training Program Features NYS Kosher Enforcement Director Rabbi Aaron Metzger

STAR-K’s 11th Annual Kashrus Training Program Features NYS Kosher Enforcement Director Rabbi Aaron Metzger

07 | 29 | 2014

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/human-interest/250914/star-ks-11th-annual-kashrus-training-program-features-nys-kosher-enforcement-director-rabbi-aaron-metzger.html

The Eleventh Annual STAR-K Kashrus Training Program attracted attendees from the Catskill Mountains to Indianapolis, IN. This year, in addition to the STAR-K Kashrus Administrators who delivered presentations on everything from Foodservice Challenges to the Halachic issues of Appliances, Rabbi Aaron Metzger, director of the NY State Kosher Enforcement Bureau, addressed the participants. Rabbi Metzger, a resident of Monsey, NY, was appointed to his position by The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, in January. Part of his job is to protect consumers by ensuring compliance with the certification, record keeping and signage requirements relating to kosher food, and maintaining the Department’s online kosher databases.

“Being in this position is important to the Jewish community to maintain a sense of accountability in Kosher,” notes Rabbi Metzger.” Being able to present at the STAR-K conference has enlightened various rabbis from across the globe how important transparency and accountability is […]

STAR-K Certification Launches STAR-K Kosher Classroom at Torah Umesorah Convention

STAR-K Certification Launches STAR-K Kosher Classroom at Torah Umesorah Convention

05 | 22 | 2014

http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=48939

Baltimore, MD – May 2014 – Earlier this month, STAR-K Kosher Certification was represented at the sold-out Torah Umesorah 58th Annual National Leadership Convention by STAR-K President Dr. Avrom Pollak, STAR-K Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Baruch Beyer, and STAR-K Director of Special Projects Rabbi Zvi Holland, who introduced mechanchim to the STAR-K Kosher Classroom.

The STAR-K Kosher Classroom, which debuted at the convention, is an initiative to develop curricular materials for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. The first group of  posters and videos were prepared to present to the 1,800 attendees from throughout the U.S., Canada and elsewhere around the world, to generate interest, feedback and partnership from those who will actually be presenting the materials.

“Just as we do not charge for our extensive Kashrus education programs and community services, we are not charging for these materials, “ noted Rabbi Holland. “We wanted the teachers to tell us what materials […]

Heimishe Kosher Visits STAR-K

Heimishe Kosher Visits STAR-K

02 | 10 | 2014

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/213354/heimishe-kosher-visits-star-k.html

STAR-K Kosher Certification recently held its first Winter Kashrus Training Program for a group of mashgichim from New York. The participants, who live in Boro Park, traveled to attend the seminar in Baltimore on three consecutive Sundays, January-February. The program was the brainchild of Mr. Meir Rand, a Chasidishe mashgiach who has worked in various kitchen venues in Boro Park. Realizing the lack of Chasidishe mashgiach training, he approached STAR-K Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Zvi Holland with his well-accepted idea of a training program.

“I was very, very happy with the program; I learned such new chidushim and how to deal with people in Kashrus work,” says Mr. Rand. “I have no words. It was mamash amazing–meyradik!

“The Chasidishe community doesn’t yet have such a training program for their mashgichim,” continues Mr. Rand. “We have no mesuderdik system for training them and we found out that STAR-K has the best training system […]

STAR-K Hosts J.E.W. Seminar

STAR-K Hosts J.E.W. Seminar

01 | 21 | 2014

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/211002/star-k-hosts-j-e-w-seminar.html

On Wednesday, January 8, STAR-K Kosher Certification’s Baltimore offices hosted a seminar for Jewish Experience Week (J.E.W.). The seminar, led by STAR-K Kashrus Administrators Rabbi Zvi Goldberg and Rabbi Zvi Holland, enlightened college students from around the country about the function of a kosher certification agency and various practical Kashrus issues.

Rabbi Holland’s presentation, “The Wonderful World of Kosher Certification”, covered the history of kosher certification, the globalization of food production and Kosher certification, the difference between a local agency and an International agency, non-profit public agencies certifying kashrus as opposed to individuals, the need and value of retaining public trust in kosher agencies, how halachic decisions are made at STAR-K and how they are kept separate from business, and STAR-K’s unique role as the only major non-profit Kosher agency dedicated only to Kosher. An informative Q & A session followed.

Rabbi Goldberg’s talk, “The Mystical and the Practical”, addressed the Torah […]