Star-K Logo
Star-K Online
Español Chinese Português
Kosher Consumer Getting Certified Asia Pacific
Alerts New Seasonal Products/LOC's Traveling Kosher Kosher Baltimore Appliance/Kitchen
Latest Star-K Lists Keeping Kosher Kashrus Kurrents Articles About Us Faq's Links Passover


The Reviews are In: STAR-K’s Mashgicha Enrichment Program is a Big Hit
by Margie Pensak

The eighteen mashgichos who attended STAR-K’s Mashgicha Enrichment Program, November 2-3 in Baltimore, Maryland, had only one complaint—it wasn’t long enough. Although it lacked nothing in the way of organization or detailing of comprehensible and practical information, the women would have appreciated even more face time with the STAR-K experts. The experience of meeting fellow mashgichos from so many communities, being able to ask questions throughout the presentations, and the camaraderie felt by the program’s end, made it worth the trip!

Veteran mashgicha Alizah Hochstead travelled the farthest to attend the STAR-K program--all the way from Efrat, Israel. "For forty years, I have been active in various aspects of kashrus—as a secretary, teacher, and mashgicha, both in Eretz Yisroel and in the States," says Mrs. Hochstead. “The learning opportunities for women to keep up with the changes and advances in the kashrus industry are limited. Lists that kashrus organizations put out are wonderful, but a mashgicha needs more training than that ... The interaction with the rabbeim, in a course such as this, where you go into the details and discuss the changes in food science and in the industry, is very important. Kashrus is not what it was in the past."

Other STAR-K Mashgicha Kashrus Enrichment Program participants hailed from Baltimore and beyond — California, Washington, Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Rabbi Meyer Kurcfeld, with his nearly thirty years of experience in kashrus, delivered the majority of the lectures and led a tour of Star-K’s kosher kitchen at the Hyatt Regency hotel, in addition to a meat and dairy restaurant. The women also benefitted from the hands-on opportunity to check fruits and vegetables, viewing STAR-K’s Chicken Kashrus Video Tutorial, and learning about STAR-K certified Sabbath Mode appliances from administrative assistant, Mrs. Rivka Leah Goldman.

As noted by Rabbi Zvi Goldberg, director of the Mashgicha Enrichment Program, “We were impressed with the caliber of the women who came. They were extremely motivated to learn more about kashrus. We stressed to them that based on Rav Moshe’s teshuva (Igros Moshe Y.D. 2:44), they are permitted to be mashgichos since they are working under the authority of a Rav Hamachshir. They are the most important link between their Rav Hamachshir and what is happening in their facility."

"It was absolutely worth the trip,"says Rebbetzin Doris Fine of Scranton, Pennsylvania. "I gained a tremendous amount of knowledge on a practical and general level. The presentations were extremely organized and pleasant. It was inspiring to see other ladies who are taking their responsibility so seriously and with such integrity. These experienced women have the common goal of doing their jobs better. The STAR-K office and its warm, inviting manner is a true Kiddush Hashem."



TELEKOSHER CONFERENCE PROGRAM

STAR-K announces a unique opportunity for local Vaadim, Rabbis and Mashgichim, the world over. STAR-K’s monthly InterAgency TeleKosher Conference program will enable them to speak directly to kashrus experts from various agencies, in a non-political forum, posing their most pressing kashrus questions that are distinctive to their communities. To be apprised of the dates and times, please contact our office call 410.484.4110, ext. 217.

To listen to previous programs, please click on the links below.

Rabbi Zushe Blech discussing “Shomer Shabbos, Non-frum and Non-Jewish Proprietors.” (1/28/08)

Rabbi Yaakov Luban discussing “Zerizus and Burnout in Kashrus.” (2/26/08)

Rabbi Moshe Heinemann discussing various halachos of Pesach (3/24/08)

Rabbi Mayer Kurcfeld discuss "Kosher Certication of Local Establishments" (4/29/2008)

Rabbi Rabbi Eliezer Eidlitz of Kosherquest.org discuss fraud and deception of kosher products and establishments (7/01/2008)



SHIDDUCH INCENTIVE PROGRAM

Star-K’s Shidduch Incentive Program offers a cash gift of $2500 to those who
successfully match its hometown Orthodox single women, by Chanukah, 2007. A
local attempt at remedying the universal Orthodox singles problem in Baltimore,
its widespread impact has become a motivating factor in matching single
Orthodox women around the world.

Click here to view full article.



KASHRUS TRAINING PROGRAM

Star-K’s widely acclaimed Kashrus Training Program has been held annually since 2003, at the Star-K offices in Baltimore, Maryland. This intensive seminar is limited to 25 students—Rabbonim, certifying agency administrators, kollel members, and others serving in klei kodesh—who will be taken behind the scenes of a first class luxury hotel’s kosher kitchen and a manufacturing plant. Seminar participants will also benefit from lectures delivered by Star-K administrators, audio-visual presentations, and a hands-on practicum to find the less obvious thrips and aphids hiding in a restaurant’s vegetables.

2006 Kashrus Training Seminar
2007 Kashrus Training Seminar
2008 Kashrus Training Seminar
2009 Kashrus Training Seminar


Please check after Pesach 2010 for details concerning the next program.



STAR-K SPEAKERS BUREAU

Star-K’s Speakers Bureau presents selected topics on kashrus delivered by its administrative staff. Topics span the spectrum from the basics of keeping a kosher home, to its philosophical and spiritual significance, and its practical application. It also explores the technical world of kashrus, with behind the scene looks at the manufacturing and processing of several industries. For further information, click here or call Star-K, (410) 484-4110.


NATIONAL KASHRUS LECTURE SERIES

Star-K ’s National Kashrus Lecture Series features various topics delivered by Star-K administrators. Topics cover: Glatt Kosher Meat Today, Kosher Travel, The High Price of Kosher Foods, Caterers and Restaurants, Meat and Poultry, Kosher Liquors, Shabbos & Yom Tov Appliances, and the Kashrus of Medicines & Vitamins. Cassettes of these lectures are available through the Star-K office. For more information, click here or call Star-K,
(410) 484-4110.


VIRTUAL ONLINE UNIVERSITY

Those who are clueless but curious about kosher, also have the opportunity to
access the only formal, online, interactive introductory classes about kosher on
the web. Star-K’s Virtual Kosher University will allow the kosher novice to
learn the basics from Star-K’s expert Kashrus Administrators—whether they live
in Calabasas, California, or Caracas, Venezuela! Regardless of one’s schedule, the
world of kosher is now open as never before, at one’s own pace, in the comfort
of one’s own home.

Click here to view visit www.kosherclasses.org



Back | Contact Us | Letters of Certification | UKD | Star-K Online Application
Copyright © 2009 Star-K Kosher Certification. All rights reserved.