A secular court in Ashdod (Israel) ordered the town’s chief rabbi (Yosef Sheinin) to issue a kosher certificate to a business owned by a woman who was born Jewish but became a Jew for Jesus Needless to say, the reaction around the world has been a loud schrei gevald! Apparently this ruling signals the end of kashruth as we know it, not to mention football, hot dogs, apple pie, hummus and ice-cafe.

A group of rabbis signed a notice that said (in part): “…We hereby declare, ‘I can not go beyond the word of Hashem, to do more or less. All kashrus (sic) matters are administered in accordance with halacha.’”

O- would that it were so! Just think:

We would be able to buy liquid derivatives (ie, oils) of kitniyot. In fact, the list of kitniyot which was meant to be a closed list would have to go back to its original limits.

We would be able to buy cakes for Pesach that are gebrokts (and would, therefore, actually taste good!).

The DE designation would cease to exist.

Invisible bugs would not interfere with kosher food. Otherwise put: if we can’t see it, it isn’t there. Just think, that would be in accord with the Shulchan Aruch!

Vaadim would no longer be able to trade in lashon harah about other groups’ supervision. In fact, three weeks before Pesach, no vaad would be able to cast unworthy aspersions on certain, clearly kosher products.

The certificate of kashruth of any given place would only cover the food and not the behavior of the people who choose to hold hands, dance, or even, gasp, kiss in the back of the room!

Owners would no longer be allowed to be their own mashgichiach.
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Just think, kashruth would leave the worlds of politics, daas toirah, personal opinion, etc, behind. We would see a return to the Shulchan Aruch as our guide to what is kosher and what is not. No more chumra of the week crowd. Just a return to true halachic values.

We could go on, but we think you get the point.

FROM KOSHER TODAY

Jody’s Popcorn Now OU Kosher Certified

Jody’s, a Virginia Beach confectionary specializing in popcorn, fudge and caramel apples, started 2010 off right. On January 4th, Jody’s received the kosher certification of the Orthodox Union (OU). Jody’s of Virginia Beach was launched by Jody and Alan Wagner in 2005. They opened a second store in 2008. Jody’s is best known for its gourmet small batch, hand-made “Secret Recipe 53 Caramel Corn,” and the award winning “Chocolate Drizzle,” dark and white chocolate drizzled “Secret Recipe 53 Caramel Corn,” that was featured as “Snack Of The Day” on Rachael Ray.

Jody’s has created many other delicious varieties of popcorn, incredibly smooth fudges, and 13 types of delicious “over-the top” caramel, chocolate, and fudge-dipped apples. In addition to its retail stores, Jody’s products can be purchased at www.jodyspopcorn.com, as well as at many specialty stores and selected Farm Fresh and Ukrops grocery stores and commissaries in the Hampton Roads area. For more information, visit www.jodyspopcorn.com or call 866-797-JODY (5369).

FROM THE STAR-K

February 1, 2010

Celestial Seasonings Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride Tea was incorrectly labeled with a Star-K. The tea is certified dairy, non cholov Yisroel by the Vaad Hakashrus of Denver and should bear the Scroll-K dairy symbol. Corrective measures were taken.

Apple ‘n Cheddar Grilled Cheese
Serves: 1 • Prep time: 5 min • Cook time: 5 min

* 2 slices thickly sliced cheddar cheese (about 2 oz.)
* 1/4 Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
* 2 slices whole grain or whole wheat bread
* 1 Tbsp. margarine or butter

Layer 1/2 of the cheese, apple, then remaining cheese on one bread slice; top with remaining bread. Spread outside of sandwich with margarine or butter.

Cook sandwich in 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat 5 minutes or until golden brown and cheese is melted, turning once.

This recipe comes from an old and dear friend. Let’s just call her Chef Rae.

Here is a great dairy soup for those stay at home, cold weekend afternoons………..

Squash Apple Bisque.
Serves 6-8

4 cups vegetable stock (not broth)
1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, chopped
2 large tart apples, peeled and chopped
(OR substitute apple cider for half of the stock and omit apples)
1 small onion, peeled and chopped
1/8 teaspoon of rosemary
6 TBL butter
6 TBL flour
3/4 cup half & half or cream
salt & pepper

Combine stock, squash, apple, onion & rosemary in 4 quart saucepan. Cover and simmer over low heat until squash is tender (about 15 minutes). Puree in blender or processor, return to pan.
Melt butter in 1 quart saucepan. Stir flour and cook 2-3 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly. Stir into squash puree. Simmer uncovered 15 min over low heat. Add cream and season with salt and pepper.

{I omit the flour and butter part and just add some half & half. Still yummy.}