Daily Archives: July 12, 2006

Inspecting Kashrus Close Up – An Exhausting But Rewarding Trip

On Wednesday night, July 5, Rabbi Berel Levertov, Head Kashrus Supervisor for the Vaad Hakashrus-CHK, was about to leave on a long trip. It was one of his frequent trips for surprise inspections of dairy facilities of the Ahava company, which carries the Crown Heights Kosher certification. Then his phone rang.

Torah is an instruction book for life, Prager says

Tronto, Canada – If Judaism can’t thrive in total freedom, it doesn’t deserve to survive, according to author and radio personality Dennis Prager.

Speaking at a tribute to the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Prager, a self-described non-denominational Jew, said that rational, intellectual reasons must exist for identifying as Jewish.

“If we need anti-Semites to keep us Jewish, we [Jews] are not worthy of surviving,” the Los Angeles-based Prager told the full house at the Toronto Centre for the Arts on June 26. “I don’t want to rely on Arafat or on Nazis to stay Jewish.”

Though not wishing to proselytize, Prager said he believes the Torah’s innate wisdom is relevant to all peoples.

City likely to stay the course on decorations

Ft. Collins, CO – The city’s holiday display probably won’t include religious symbols – or a menorah.

At a study session Tuesday night, most City Council members seemed to back a policy to maintain current city practice, which means Xmas trees, wreaths and white lights on city property from Thanksgiving to January.

The direction rankled Mayor Doug Hutchinson, who pushed for a policy that would have allowed religious symbols approved by the city.

“We’ve just taken a step backward,” Hutchinson said.

Kosher Day set for Valley

Pleasanton, CA — For many Jews and some non-Jews, following a kosher diet is important to their faith and/or their physical and spiritual well-being. This is why two local Chabads will assist area residents in maintaining and learning more about this way of life Wednesday during the first Tri-Valley Kosher Day.

This is a way to perk up interest in general, says Rabbi Raleigh Resnick. For Jewish people and community at large … there are so many choices.
Sponsored and coordinated by Chabad of Contra Costa and Chabad of the Tri-Valley, the day will focus on promoting, educating and bringing awareness to the general community about kosher food.

Participating supermarkets will have displays, videos and kosher food samples throughout the day. There also will be a raffle for a kosher cookbook and childrens contests.