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)
Published Fall 2015
LAST DATES OF KEDUSHAS SHEVI’IS, SEFICHIN
AND BIUR 5775/5776
The
following are ending dates of Kedushas Shevi’is, Sefichin and the
dates of Biur.
ITEM
KEDUSHAS SHEVI’IS/ SEFICHIN UNTIL
IF SEFICHIN APPLIES
[...] Read More
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 […]
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 […]
Published Fall 2014
For over nineteen hundred years, the Jewish people have longed to return to Eretz Yisroel, the Land of Israel. It is only in the Land of Israel that we can realize our full potential as a nation; it is only in the Land of Israel that the Torah’s blueprint for life can be completely fulfilled. For the millennia, the most important dimension of this longing was the yearning to once again be able to fulfill the mitzvos hatluyos ba’aretz (agricultural laws), the commandments that can be observed only in the Land of Israel. With Hashem’s help, many of us in this past generation have realized part of this two thousand year old dream. Yet, this realization has presented us with new challenges.
Without a doubt, one of the greatest mitzva challenges of all times is the fulfillment of the mitzva of Shmitta, the year of Sabbatical rest for the land of Israel. The Midrash perceives this multifaceted mitzva as being so challenging and difficult that he who meets […]
Published Spring 2015
The Torah forbids a Jew to own chometz on Pesach . In order to dissuade people from owning chometz on Pesach , there is a rabbinic injunction not to eat or benefit after Pesach from chometz which was owned by a Jew during Pesach . Such chometz is known as chometz sheovar olov haPesach , and it remains forbidden permanently.1
For this reason, one should not buy chometz from a Jewish-owned store immediately after Pesach , unless the owner sold all chometz that he owned before Pesach to a non-Jew for the duration of Pesach , and did not acquire any further chometz during Pesach . The laws of mechiras chometz (selling chometz to a gentile for Pesach ) are complex, therefore the sale must be made by a competent rabbi or kashrus authority.
If a Jewish-owned store did not […]
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2015/06/21/fin03.asp
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
13th Annual Food Service Mashgiach Training Seminar (July 6-8, 2026)*
Check back after Pesach next year to register for the 14th Annual Food Service seminar.
23rd Annual Kashrus Training Program (July 13-16, 2026)*
Check back after Pesach next year to register for the 24th Annual Kashrus Training seminar.
Both programs are held at STAR-K’s Baltimore corporate headquarters.
Each program is limited to 25 attendees.
* Applicants may apply to only ONE of the programs.
Kashrus Training Program
This widely acclaimed four-day program provides rabbonim, certifying agency administrators, kollel members, and others serving in klei kodesh, the opportunity to meet the personalities behind the internationally recognized and trusted STAR-K symbol. Attendees will be provided with a hands-on, practical application of the Shulchan Aruch, and learn how to structure a kashrus organization, along with the ins and outs of kashrus challenges at various venues.
Seminar participants will be […]
LED light
40X magnification suitable for helping with bug checking
25mm precision ground lenses
Color corrected and optically corrected lenses for a non-distorted view
Made of plastic and chrome-plated metal with glass lenses
Includes storage case and battery.
The cost of the loupe is $7.50 + S&H
To order a loupe click here
.
The STAR-K Kosher Classroom is a growing collection of curricular materials for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, developed for, and with the support of, Torah Umesorah.
It is part of STAR-K’s commitment to education and an extension of our already existing educational efforts for adults, which include Kashrus Kurrents and interactive teleconference webinars for rabbonim, mashgichim and the wider community.
We have consulted with mechanchim to ensure that these materials are age-appropriate for children across the spectrum. We are acutely aware that, for adults, kashrus might be their most extensive engagement with practical halacha. Many of these topics require experts in the field who are intimately involved in production procedures. But it is apparent from the phone calls we field that there is a gap in this area in our schools’ curricula. Educators have told us that the reason for the dearth of classroom education about kashrus-related halacha is due […]
The STAR-K Kosher University is comprised of innovative online Educational Programs which offer a unique opportunity for local Vaadim, Rabbis and Mashgichim, the world over.
Monthly TeleKosher Conferences
Mark your calendars! STAR-K’s ongoing TeleKosher Conference Series is scheduled for the last Wednesday of each month at 12 Noon, Eastern. Previous conferences are archived here and on our Vimeo channel.
Rabbi Zvi Goldberg interviews various kosher experts. Questions from the listening audience are encouraged.
To signup for notifications, email [email protected] with subject ‘signup’
Webinar Series
STAR-K is committed to utilizing its resources for the education of Jewish communities worldwide. Our Advanced Halacha Webinar Series Project features STAR-K’s Rabbis and our Rabbinic Administrator, Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, who has always been on the cutting edge of advanced technology and halacha. We discuss various topics through an interactive presentation which allows participants from around the globe to experience a live workshop through the use of audio, video and […]
O Consumidor Kosher
O Mercado Judaico
A Comunidade Islãmica
Outros Grupos Religiosos
Vegetarianos
Considerações Sanitãrias
Qualidade Assegurada
O Consumidor Kosher
A busca por produtos Kosher ultrapassa os interesses de um grupo etnico particular. Os consumidores Kosher incluem judeus, muçulmanos e Adventistas do setimo dia, assim como vegetarianos, pessoas com intolerencia a lactose e todos aqueles que pensam que Kosher e o melhor. Estes milhoes de consumidores procuram o simbolo Kosher para se assegurar que suas necessidades serao satisfeitas.
O Mercado Judaico
A comida judaica kosher é mundialmente conhecida, mas os consumidores judeus representam apenas uma parte do mercado Kosher.
A Comunidade Islãmica
Milhoes de muculmanos ao redor do mundo tem uma dieta que observa um regime similar aos da Kashrus. Eles reconhecem que os alimentos que contem o simbolo Kosher satisfazem as suas necessidades.
Outros Grupos Religiosos
Os adventistas do setimo dia e outros grupos cristos tem restricoes similares a Kashrus. O simbolo […]
Seleccionando La Agencia Correcta
Al Principio…
Preguntas Importantes
Términos de Negociación
Honorarios
Seleccionando la Agencia Correcta
¿Cómo se encuentra la certificación kosher adecuada para satisfacer las necesidades particulares de su compañía?
A menos de que usted tenga un establecimiento cuyas necesidades kosher pueden ser satisfechas por un consejo rabínico local, usted está a punto de experimentar un viaje desconcertante al intentar comparar las virtudes de las diversas certificaciones. ¡No todas las organizaciones de certificación kosher son idénticas!
Es muy importante emprender este proceso de una manera similar a la que usted utilizaría para elegir un abogado, un consultor financiero o un empleado esencial. ¡En pocas palabras, haga su trabajo! Hacer las preguntas correctas y explorar todas las opciones disponibles en el mercado kosher pueden ahorrarle a su compañía una experiencia desagradable y costosa.
Durante los últimos veinticinco años, la demanda por productos con certificación kosher ha aumentado dramáticamente. Más específicamente, el mercado kosher ha crecido un 15% anual durante los últimos años.
El Consumidor Kosher
El Mercado Judío
La Comunidad Islámica
Otras Denominaciones Religiosas
Intolerantes de la Lactosa
Vegetarianos
La Garantía de Calidad
El Consumidor Kosher
Millones de personas alrededor del mundo limitan su consumo alimenticio y buscan el símbolo kosher para asegurarse de que se cumplan sus preferencias. Según estudios de mercado, la atracción hacia los alimentos kosher supera el interés de un grupo étnico específico. Los consumidores de alimentos kosher incluyen Judíos, Musulmanes, miembros de otras denominaciones religiosas, Vegetarianos, aquellos con intolerancia a la lactosa, y los que entienden que “kosher es mejor”.
El Mercado Judío
Los consumidores Judíos abarcan cerca del 45% del mercado kosher. […]
The STAR-K Light Box is a user-friendly tool that will greatly simplify your bug-checking needs.
The light box’s design includes STAR-K’s full-color BUG CHECKING CHART on the reverse side, with clear instructions for how to check every category of produce.
The side panel displays high-resolution color images of COMMON INSECTS FOUND ON PRODUCE to give users a handy reference guide to help identify the type of bugs they might find while checking.
Additionally, the light box features:
LED light with adjustable brightness
a large, neutral surface
waterproof surface and casing
Price: $56 (note price drop!)
Where to Buy
ONLINE: Order directly from Judaica Spot.
IN BALTIMORE: Available at the Seforim Nook, 7006 Reisterstown Road, in the Colonial Village Shopping Center in Pikesville. Call 410-840-7677 for more information.
In-person pickup at the STAR-K office. Call 410-484-4110 for more information.
Information about purchasing bug checking kits can be found here.
As we sit down to enjoy a crisp, green salad or prepare to garnish a dish with a fresh sprig of parsley, probably the last thing on our minds at that time is insects. But insects should actually be foremost on our minds, as the act of eating insects, as we shall explain here, violates a very serious set of prohibitions. Let’s start from the beginning.
The Torah expressly forbids Jews from eating insects (tolayim). In Leviticus 11:41, we are told, “And every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth is a detestable thing; it shall not be eaten.” Any food known to be subject to insect infestation, therefore, cannot be eaten until the insects have been removed.
But what if you’re not sure? What is the status of a food item that is only suspected of containing an insect? Are you obligated to check the item to determine the presence of an insect, or can […]
1. It is vital that instructions are followed as stated in the correct sequence. Not following the procedure properly may invalidate the heter iska.
A kosher certification agency is an organization of Rabbis, food technologists, and field supervisors with the expertise and resources to execute the Laws of Kashrus. It is responsible for assuring Kosher consumers that food products and ingredients meet all kosher requirements. Once these requirements have been met, a letter of certification is issued to the manufacturer who is then authorized to advertise its kosher status, and display the kosher symbol and promote the product as kosher.
All kosher certification agencies are not identical. It is essential that the kosher certification agency has widespread acceptability so that a product bearing its symbol can be marketed to as wide an audience as possible. The manufacturer can then take advantage of the rapidly growing demand for kosher food.
>Get Kosher Certified
What is certified kosher? STAR-K Kosher Food Certification is a guarantee that food products and ingredients meet all kosher requirements. This kosher certificate also authorizes the manufacturer to display the STAR-K emblem on the product to advertise its kosher status.
The procedure for acquiring kosher certification is relatively simple. Upon receipt of your application, a representative of STAR-K will evaluate your company’s ingredients and products. Then a contract will be drafted, detailing all the requirements and obligations of both parties. All kosher requirements, as well as a list of all your ingredients and products, will be enumerated. Furthermore, the contract will outline the correct emblem authorized for each product indicating each product’s Kosher status. A signed contract guarantees that regular visits will be made periodically by a Rabbinic field representative of the STAR-K. The purpose of the Rabbi’s visit is […]
Star-K Kosher Certification is a guarantee that food products and ingredients meet all kosher requirements. The Star-K symbol has worldwide recognition and acceptability, with its certified Star-K products being sold around the globe. Certification authorizes the manufacturer to place the Star-K emblem on the product packaging to demonstrate its kosher status.
We believe that it is worthwhile to take time to study the different services offered by the many different certifying agencies. Making the right choice, an informed choice because you have asked the right questions, is one of the most important factors in determining whether or not your company receives maximum benefit from kosher certification. We suggest that you take a few moments to read “How to Choose A Kosher Certification,” which will provide you with helpful hints regarding questions you should be asking.
1. No Obligation Application
The procedure for […]
Application requesting kosher certification submitted*
STAR-K contacts applicant to begin the review process*
Applicant provides a list of all ingredients and names of suppliers*
STAR-K reviews data and estimated fees*
STAR-K makes an initial inspection which includes a thorough review of all ingredients, all plant equipment, and manufacturing processes
STAR-K submits a contract proposal outlining all agreed upon terms for kosher certification
After all terms and issues have been satisfied, STAR-K issues a letter of certification, authorizing use of the STAR-K symbol on the products approved
*These are […]
The Jewish religion incorporates within its tenets a regimen of dietary laws. These laws determine which foods are acceptable and conform to the Jewish Code. The word kosher is an adaptation of the Hebrew word meaning “fit” or “proper.” It refers to foodstuffs that meet the dietary requirements of Jewish Law. Market studies repeatedly indicate that even the non-Jewish consumer, when given the choice, will express a distinct preference for kosher certified products. They regard the kosher symbol as a sign of quality.The barometer of Kosher and non-Kosher depends on two variables: the source of the ingredients and the status of the production equipment. Kosher certification, which is the guarantee that the food meets kosher […]
The tenets of kashrus (kosher dietary laws) are rooted in the Written and Oral Torah (the Bible). In the post-Biblical era, the rabbis elaborated upon these laws with explanations, details, and organization. These laws determine which foods are acceptable and conform to the Jewish Code.
The word kosher is an adaptation of the Hebrew word meaning “fit” or “proper.” It refers to foodstuffs that meet the dietary requirements of Jewish Law.
The barometer of kosher and non-kosher depends on two variables: the source of the ingredients and the status of the production equipment. Kosher certification, which is the guarantee that the food meets kosher requirements, revolves around these two criteria.
A common misconception is that kosher reflects the conferring of a blessing on food by a rabbi. There is no truth to this whatsoever. Although Jewish ritual does require the recitation of a blessing prior […]
Is a kosher caterer’s non-Jewish chef allowed to squeeze the juice of fresh grapes into the food he is preparing for an event? Questions such as these, and more, were answered by HaRav Moshe Heinemann, shlit’a, at STAR-K Kosher Certification’s back-to-back seminars, held in their home offices, earlier this month. Participants joined the Foodservice Kashrus Training Seminar, July 1-3, and the Tenth Annual Kashrus Training Program, July 8-11, from across the US, Mexico, and Canada.
Rabbi Yechiel Biberfeld, who has been the Rosh Kollel of the Philadelphia Community Kollel for 13 years, attended the Tenth Annual Kashrus Training program so he could see and hear, first hand, the behind-the-scenes in Kashrus.
“I would like to see the standards of kashrus in our community be even better than they are already,” said Rabbi Biberfeld. “The information and insight from the STAR-K seminar will be helpful in attaining this goal. It gives you […]
STAR-D
STAR-S