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Kashruth Policy

(posted 6/4/04)

Chevrei Tzedek has long been affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the Jewish Theological Seminary, and the Rabbinical Assembly. This revised policy lays out the minimum level of Kashrut observance that Chevrei Tzedek and its members must follow in order to conform to the public expectations of a Conservative congregation.

For a catered kiddush or other event, a caterer may be used if the caterer is certified by a local or national kashrut agency. A normally non-kosher caterer may also be used, if arrangements are made with a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary's Rav HaMachshir program to provide specific supervision for that event. Any cost incurred to provide for this supervision is the responsibility of the party contracting the caterer. Proof of such certification for the event must be provided to the congregation.

For any non-catered event held at the Congregational facility:

The Rabbi is the ultimate authority in all questions of kashrut, as the mara d'atra. The ritual committee chairperson shall serve as a contact person and to coordinate answering specific questions as they arise.
All foods served must be kosher, as defined in this policy. All processed foods must have a reliable heksher.
Examples of acceptable food preparation at home: Where the word "clean" appears, it means that the item has not been used for any purpose since it was last washed and dried.

a. Preparing tuna salad, using clean implements to open the cans of certified kosher tuna, mix the tuna with mayonnaise (from a previously unopened jar) or other kosher salad dressing, cutting up celery or other vegetables to include in the tuna.

b. Cutting up raw vegetables, such as carrots, celery, cucumber, broccoli, etc. on a clean cutting surface or board with a clean utensil or knife.

c. Fruit salads may be prepared at home using clean implements

d. Gazpacho or other uncooked soups may be prepared at home using clean implements. All spices and non-fresh ingredients must have a kosher certification.

Examples of prepared foods that may not be made at home follow:

e. No potato salad prepared at home

f. No egg salad prepared at home

g. No kugels of any kind prepared at home - e.g., rice, potato, noodle, carrot, etc.

h. No cooked soups.
If any form of bread is served (pita, rolls, challot, etc.), the washing stand must be set up. The washing stand shall consist of a pourer (pitcher or cup), a receptacle (bowl or sink), towels, and small pieces of bread nearby. Benchers will be available for those wishing to recite berkhat ha-mazon. If motzi is recited as a congregation, then berkhat ha-mazon must also be said as a congregation (with zimmun). For any Kiddush, bread is optional. For sit-down meals, we will recite motzi as a group, and we will conclude the meal with berkhat ha-mazon, recited as a group.
Wine or grape juice used for ritual purposes (Kiddush, havdalah, life cycle events) must be hekshered.
Only dairy and pareve foods may be served at an uncatered kiddush. Please keep in mind that several members of the congregation are vegetarian.

Any foods brought into the building and which are found not to follow these guidelines will not be served. When in doubt, please consult with the Rabbi as the congregation's mara d'atra.

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