By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Chaim Fogelman, a member of the newly formed Kashrus Committee (Vaad) responsible for administrating, maintaining and establishing the standards that govern the OK kosher agency, assumed an executive seat in the Association of Kashrus Organizations (AKO).
He replaced the seat of his illustrious father-in-law, Rabbi Don Yoel Levy OBM, head of the OK and one of the world’s major authorities on kashrus who passed away in Nissan 5780 from the coronavirus.
Rabbi Fogelman, a lecturer and rabbi of Itchke’s Shteibel in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights, joined the OK in 1993 at the request of Rabbi Levy. He has held several positions at the OK, including developing and managing the kosher programs of a varied representation of kosher establishments.
After the tragic loss of Rabbi Levy, a Kashrus Vaad was created at the OK to oversee the continuation of the agency’s high kashrus standards and policies. Its members include Rabbi Fogelman, Rabbi Kalman Weinfeld, Rabbi Sholom Ber Hendel and Rabbi Shlomo Weinfeld.
“Rabbi Levy set policies, empowered the staff, and personally approved every initial report and setup, yet he never micromanaged,” Rabbi Fogelman said. “He led by example, never cutting corners, giving it all he had, and being as transparent as possible. He encouraged and expected the same from all the rabbis and staff he hired.”
Established in 1985, the Association of Kashrus Organizations (AKO) unites the different kashrus agencies around the globe under one umbrella, serving the Jewish community to raise and maintain the highest level of kashrus possible. It is headed today by Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, Kashrus Administrator of the Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc).
While the umbrella organization itself does not give any kosher certification or endorsements, its members work together to provide the kosher community with the utmost in kosher supervision. It also serves as a forum there leading authorities can discuss the numerous situations that arise in the kashrus industry.
Additional appointments at the AKO include Rabbi Shulem Landau of Badatz Igud Rabbonim (BIR) in Manchester, England, who will be taking over the position of his esteemed father-in-law, Rabbi Osher Westheim OBM.
The AKO also announced that it has accepted the Vaad Kashrut Sheves Ahim in Panama, headed by Rabbi Dovid Perets, as its newest member.
Reb Chaim is a Loving, caring and hardworking Yid.
His success will be a kiddush Lubavitch.