For over 30 years, OU Kosher Rabbinic Coordinators (RCs) and Rabbinic Field Representatives (RFRs) have convened for OU Kosher’s Annual Kashrus Conference to explore advancements in kashrus certification, share best practices, and strengthen global professional relationships.
This year’s 31st conference marked a historic first: rabbanim from international kashrus agencies including Kof-K, Star-K, and KF Kosher served as presenters and panelists.
OU Kosher Chief Executive Officer Rabbi Menachem Genack was a close talmid of Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik, and notes that the Rav encouraged collaboration with other kashrus agencies to enrich the broader landscape.
“The Rav underscored that competition is good for the Jewish community,” reflects Rabbi Genack. “His perspective created an industry vision, and it’s been very helpful for our efficiency and growth. We have a close working relationship with a number of other kashrus agencies.”
Last year, OU Kosher began to invite fellow kashrus certifiers to join the second day of the conference.
“Having them return this year, not only as participants but as presenters, was a win-win situation all around,” says OU Kosher Director of Kashrus Education Rabbi Eli Eleff. “The benchmark methods and current trends that we explored are of value to everyone in the industry, regardless of which agency they represent. Each kashrus professional has wisdom to share, which we can all apply in our day-to-day operations.”
As the world’s largest and most recognized international kashrus certification agency, OU Kosher certifies over one million products produced in more than 14,000 plants across 110 countries, including two-thirds of all kosher food in the United States.
Organized by OU Kosher Director of Field Operations Rabbi Michael Morris and his team, the two-day conference at the Hilton Parsippany in New Jersey provided a forum to learn from esteemed rabbinic authorities and industry experts about halachic developments, food technology, and emerging trends.
According to OU Kosher Chief Operating Officer Rabbi Moshe Elefant, of the OU’s 850 RFRs, 100 serve full-time. Guided by RCs at the Orthodox Union headquarters in New York, RFRs conduct inspections at thousands of food plants and oversee more than one million ingredients worldwide.
“Our RFRs don’t get many chances to connect with OU Kosher colleagues face to face,” says Rabbi Elefant. “Gathering in a shared setting strengthens the bonds between us, which in turn benefits everyone who values kashrus.”
OU Kosher Senior RC Rabbi Nahum Rabinowitz of Brooklyn, New York, has worked at OU Kosher since 1991. He manages its European and Israeli certifications, as well as wine and alcohol hechsherim, and has attended every kashrus conference since its inception.
“The event offers a unique opportunity for headquarters staff to connect with their colleagues in the field,” he says. “Meeting in person is always a highlight.”
After greetings from Rabbi Genack, Rabbi Elefant, OU President Mitchel Aeder, and OU Kosher Commission Vice Chairman Rabbi Yossi Heber, participants attended sessions on topics such as RC-RFR collaboration, potential kashrus issues with coatings on fresh produce, and the OU’s partnership with Tomchei Shabbos.
“Our RFRs and RCs have a good rapport with the many companies we certify,” says Rabbi Morris. “We encourage our OU Kosher rabbanim to ask manufacturers to donate any unexpired surplus food they no longer need to Tomchei Shabbos, where it can benefit countless recipients.”
Workshops also addressed developments in OU Kosher’s Ingredients Department, such as replacing banned dyes deemed carcinogenic in the U.S. with non-kosher alternatives, and the implications of remote hashgacha.
“The session on remote hashgacha explored questions such as whether a computer camera could replace a mashgiach temidi,” Rabbi Morris explains. “Or, if a mashgiach watches a livestream of cows being milked, could the milk be considered cholov Yisroel? Additionally, in catering, sometimes more than one mashgiach is required because the reception hall is located on a different floor from the kitchen. Could one supervise the wait staff transporting the food remotely via camera?”
A particularly fascinating session addressed increasing scrutiny of shechita worldwide. While some EU countries have banned the practice and others, including Canada, have criticized it, presenters offered compelling evidence supporting kosher slaughter.
Titled Current Challenges in Shechita in North America, the session featured a recorded conversation between Rabbi Genack; Dr. Joe Regenstein, Professor Emeritus of Food Science at Cornell University; and Dr. Temple Grandin, an expert in livestock handling who has revolutionized the industry by developing more humane systems for slaughterhouses. Her center track restrainer is used in nearly half of all cattle processing facilities in North America, and her curved chute designs are implemented worldwide. In 2010, Time magazine named Dr. Grandin one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
“One of the major challenges we’re currently facing regarding shechita is in Canada,” says Rabbi Genack. “The government is proposing changes to slaughter regulations which would threaten the viability of commercial shechita. While these are still under review, Temple Grandin has been, and continues to be, incredibly helpful as a powerful advocate for shechita.”
Dr. Jacob Hascalovici, Director of Pain Management at Hackensack University Medical Center, also presented eye-opening research concluding that kosher slaughter is less painful and traumatic than other methods.
As in previous years, the conference included shiurim by eminent rabbanim. This year’s speakers included Star-K Rabbinic Administrator Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, one of the foremost poskim in kashrus; and Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) Rosh Yeshiva and OU Posek Rav Hershel Schachter. Rabbi Michael Schwartz of Jackson, New Jersey—who recently joined OU Kosher and now oversees its baking and transportation industries—especially appreciated Rav Schachter’s shiur.
“Rav Schachter, shlit”a, spoke about dinim pertaining to bishul akum, and it was inspiring to experience a taste of his unbelievable knowledge and erudition,” he says.
Each year, the conference celebrates OU professionals who reach 25 years of dedicated service. RFR Rabbi Yossi Levy was honored for his service in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Stolt Tankers, operator of the world’s largest chemical parcel tanker fleet, was also recognized as a model OU Kosher certified company.
Other highlights included Daf Yomi, additional shiurim, and divrei Torah by leading rabbanim, including OU Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, and a dedicated chavrusa/networking session with OU and OU Kosher lay leaders, senior administrators, and colleagues.
“The opportunity to connect with so many OU Kosher professionals from around the world is tremendous,” says Kof-K Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Moshe Reich, of Monsey, New York. “There is a very powerful vort that conveys the unity that is achieved at the annual OU Kashrus conference. As Dovid Hamelech says, ‘Hinei Matov Umanaim Sheves Achim Gam Yachad.’ Many commentators ask, the word ‘gam’ seems superfluous. I heard a beautiful pshat by Rav Daniel Coren, a Sgan Rav at Bais Medrosh Ohr Chaim in Monsey: when family is together, b’yachad, it’s sufficient. But when they’re ‘gam yachad’, when there’s also achdus, it is so much greater. There is nothing greater than reuniting like family, and working together to raise one another’s industry knowledge. I have tremendous hakaras hatov to Rabbi Genack and Rabbi Elefant for giving the opportunity to other kashrus agencies to participate in this meaningful conference.”
Rabbi Elefant takes pride in the shared commitment to a common goal, regardless of agency affiliation.
“At the end of the day, we’re all here to improve kashrus around the world,” he says. “This collaboration and knowledge-exchange is for the benefit of Klal Yisroel. At the OU, we view that as part of our role — to ensure that all supervision is being maintained and strengthened. Each member of our team compliments and helps one another, enabling us to do our very best for the benefit of kashrus.”
