Chicago…The number of people seeking to become kashruth supervisors (mashgichim) continues to grow as kashruth agencies respond with an intensified training program. Many of the major kashruth agencies sponsor such training programs as does the Association of Kashrus Agencies (AKO), according to Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, its executive director. The AKO Mashgiach course is presented by Rabbi Nosson Dubin, founder and dean of The Kosher Institute of America and Rabbinic Administrator for the Houston Kashrus Association. Rabbi Dubin dedicated many years learning, teaching, and researching the broad spectrum of kosher law, and deals with intricate Kosher-related dilemmas daily. Rabbi Dubin is also the author of a comprehensive in-depth analysis of the laws of kashruth, which has become a standard text for many scholars for the rabbinic ordination (semicha) exam preparation. The AKO training program in conjunction with the Kosher Institute of America is scheduled to take place all over North America including Dallas, Ottawa, Atlanta, Miami, and in several locations throughout New York and New Jersey. According to Rabbi Moshe Elefant, COO of the Orthodox Union, there is a constant need for mashgichim, especially as the community grows. The OU employs nearly 1,000 mashgichim in 99 countries including Saudi Arabia and Dubai.