Let's Talk Kashrus

1

Hechsher In A Haystack?

Jun 8, 2025

9:44

Not Anymore!Introducing a revolutionary new app! A game changer for the industry of kashrus. Have you ever seen an unfamiliar kashrus symbol and werent sure if you can rely on it? With over 1500 kashrus agencies worldwide, it can be quite the task of finding out their reliability. Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO, introduces to us the all-new logo scanner feature in the new cRc Kosher app, available on the app store.https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crc-kosher/id397991421?platform=iphonehttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rocketouch.CRCKosher2013&hl=en US&gl=US&pli=1View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/hechsher-in-a-haystackTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

2

Be Like Leibel

May 18, 2025

5:28

Look At the LeibelCan you rely on a kosher symbol you see online? Sometimes you buy something online, but the product has a different packaging when it arrives at your door. Rabbi Binyamin Berkowitz - Kashrus Administrator at the KOF-K gives us the rundown on what to look out for.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/be-like-leibelTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

3

Shell-Shocked By Egg-flation

May 4, 2025

11:04

Is It Fowl Play?Have you been noticing more blood spots lately? Let’s get the real scoop what’s going on lately with the eggs together with Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/shell-shocked-by-egg-flationTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

4

Shelf Awareness

Apr 21, 2025

17:18

Post-Pesach Shopping SecretsWhere can I buy chometz? Where is it problematic? Rabbi Yakov Teichman - Rabbinic Coordinator at the OK, gives us the full scoop.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/shelf-awarenessDownload the AKO post-pesach list below, or at https://www.akokosher.org/pesachTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

5

Don’t Toss That Sauce

Apr 6, 2025

6:41

Just Yet…Many people won't sell chometz gamur. Does that mean i need to throw out a closed bottle of ketchup? Rabbi Yakov Teichman - Rabbinic Coordinator at the OK, helps us decipher those hard to read ingredient panels.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/don-t-toss-that-sauceTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

6

Wok Smarter, Not Harder

Mar 23, 2025

9:08

Labeled In ChinaPart 2 of our travels to China with Rabbi Binyamin Berkowitz - Kashrus Administrator at the KOF-K, focuses on the labeling aspect of Chinese products.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/wok-smarter-not-harder To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

7

Made In China

Mar 10, 2025

11:38

Soy Many QuestionsToday we travel to China with Rabbi Binyamin Berkowitz - Kashrus Administrator at the KOF-K. Come along as we explore the process of certifying factories in China.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/made-in-chinaTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

8

Don’t Cry Over Cholov Stam Milk

Feb 24, 2025

9:36

R’ Moshe Feinstein’s teshuva on Cholov Stam in America is by far one of the more famous of his. Yet, Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO, points out that there are many side benefits of being makpid on cholov yisroel besides for the actual Halacha shaila.View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/don-t-cry-over-cholov-stam-milkTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

9

Kosher Can, Treife Plan?

Feb 9, 2025

15:35

What can be wrong with canned corn? All the ingredients are kosher. Let's listen to Rabbi Mordechai Stareshefsky a Rabbinic Coordinator at the OU as he explains some potential issues with the most basic food items. This serves as a reminder why one should always ensure that there is a good hechsher on everything they buy.View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/kosher-can-treife-planTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

10

Shellac On Snacks

Jan 27, 2025

11:46

What Are The Facts?That shiny coating that can be found on anything from jellybeans to fruit to hard-wood flooring. What is it made of? Is it Kosher? Let's listen in to a fascinating (and slightly discomforting) discussion about Shellac otherwise known as confectioners glaze, with Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/shellac-on-snacksTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

11

Meat The Future

Jan 10, 2025

13:14

Lab-Grown vs. Nature Today's topic is very futuristic. Cultured meat, clean meat, lab-grown meat... Let's get a behind-the-scenes peek at this topic which is still in the theoretical stages. Rabbi Mordechai Stareshefsky is a Rabbinic Coordinator at the OU. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/meat-the-future To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

12

Everything But The Kitchen Sink

Dec 26, 2024

6:24

Ensuring a kosher kitchen. Let’s listen to Rav Shmuel Fuerst - Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois on the topic of keeping a kosher kitchen with 1 sink vs. 2 sinks. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/everything-but-the-kitchen-sinkTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

13

The Kashrus Control Room

Dec 13, 2024

16:37

Industrial Kashrus Systems Everyone loves to know what goes on behind the scenes. Today we take a tour of a typical factory with Rabbi Yitzchak Hanoka, Senior Rabbinate Coordinator with the OK. We’ll find out all the systems in place to ensure kashrus at the highest level. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/the-kashrus-control-room To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

14

A Rabbi, A Priest, And A Monk

Nov 29, 2024

13:38

Walk into a bar. The bartender asks, "What can I get you?" The rabbi replies, "Something kosher that wasn’t blessed by either of them!" All jokes aside, this episode discusses various instances where kashrus intersects with potential Avodah Zarah issues. Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, Director of Kashrus for the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and the Executive Director of AKO discusses some fascinating examples in todays episode. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/a-rabbi-a-priest-and-a-monk To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

15

Making Waves In The Office

Nov 14, 2024

4:24

What is the best setup for an office kitchen when not all employees keep kosher? How many microwaves do you need? These questions and more answered by Rav Shmuel Fuerst - Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois in this weeks episode. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/making-waves-in-the-office To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

16

Lettuce Train To Strain

Oct 31, 2024

15:25

Aphids & Thrips Let’s join Rabbi Yisroel Langer Dayan at the cRc Beis Din and Rav of Congregation Bais Yitzchok as he gives us a tutorial on how to check your own lettuce at home. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/lettuce-train-to-strain Original video of Rabbi Langer on cRc's website https://crckosher.org/videos/how-to-check-romaine-lettuce-and-other-leafy-vegetables/ Article written by Rabbi Langer on this topic https://consumer.crckosher.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Guide-to-Checking-Fruits-Langer.pdf To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

17

New Year, Old Stock

Oct 7, 2024

17:04

5785 & Beyond Let’s join Rabbi Sholom Tendler - Kashrus Administrator at the STAR-K as he walks us through the sugya of yoshon and what has changed recently, just in time for the start of the new season, 5785. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/new-year-old-stock To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

18

The Missing Ingredient

Sep 19, 2024

16:50

Enough Quality Mashgichim Why is it so hard to find quality mashgichim in the food service industry? Let's listen to Rabbi Nosson Dubin - Kashrus Administrator of HKA (Houston), and founder of the Kosher Institute of America as he explains the root causes, and how we can address the underlying issues. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/the-missing-ingredient To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

19

Seal The Deal

Sep 6, 2024

8:18

Protecting Kosher Wine Wine in the hands of hired help. Wine as a present from a gentile colleague. These questions and everything you need to know about wine in the hands of people that may cause wine to become Stam yeinam answered by Rav Shmuel Fuerst - Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois in this weeks episode. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/seal-the-deal To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

20

Are You Aware?

Aug 22, 2024

9:05

The Tiers of Beer Are the drinks at an event kosher? Most hechsherim usually have a sign saying they take no achrayus. At the cRc though, they recently implemented a new policy with regards to beer at events. Let’s listen to R’ Sholem Fishbane, Director of Kashrus for the Chicago Rabbinical Council and Executive Director of AKO, as he explains the reasoning behind it. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/are-you-aware To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

21

Optical Illusion

Aug 15, 2024

8:12

Maris Ayin Confusion Can I walk into McDonalds to get a drink? How about to use the restroom? Can one have a business meeting in a treife restaurant? These and other maris ayin questions answered by Rav Shmuel Fuerst - Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois in this weeks episode. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/optical-illusion https://oukosher.org/halacha-yomis/talmud-often-uses-terms-maris-ayin-chashad-terms-mean-differ/ To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

22

Kosher Explosion

Aug 8, 2024

15:46

50 Years In Motion Let's listen in to R' Menachem Lubinsky, President & CEO of LUBICOM Marketing Consulting, for his unique perspective behind the scenes as he observed the explosive growth of Kosher products over the last 50 years. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/kosher-explosion To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

23

Raisin’ Awareness

Aug 1, 2024

12:14

What’s the deal with dried fruits? Apricots, Raisins, Dates are some of the more common ones. Rabbi Tzvi Rosen - Kashrus Administrator at the STAR-K explains the entire drying process and what to look out for. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/raisin-awareness To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

24

Cutting Edge Of Kashrus

Jul 25, 2024

9:34

There’s never a dull moment with Rabbi Sholom H. Adler - Senior Kashrus Administrator at Earth Kosher. But what do you do when your knife gets dull? Let’s learn what to look out for when having your knife professionally sharpened. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/cutting-edge-of-kashrus To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

25

Sweet Dreams!

Jul 18, 2024

9:10

Overnight Sakanah Chazal say that leaving peeled eggs, garlic, and onions overnight makes them dangerous to consume. Sleeping on top of food, as well as eating fish and meat together are other examples of dangerous foods. Let's listen in to Rav Shmuel Fuerst - Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois as he explains us the exact parameters of Chazal's takanos. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/sweet-dreams To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

26

Picture Perfect Kiddush

Jul 12, 2024

13:19

Focus on Shabbos Are the waiters at your simcha allowed to take pictures for you on Shabbos? What happens if you run out of ice? These questions and more answered by Rabbi Moshe Zev Kaufman - Rav of Khal Adas Bnei Yisroel in Chicago, Menahel of the Midwest Bais Horaah, as he walks us through the intricacies of Amira L'akum on Shabbos and benefitting from a melacha done by a non-jew on Shabbos. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/picture-perfect-kiddush To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

27

Color War Breakout!

Jul 4, 2024

16:12

Non-Kosher Takeout Let's take a walk through a typical camp kitchen together with Rabbi Moshe Kaufman, Kashrus Administrator for KVH Kosher ~ Rabbinical Council of New England and Co-chairman of the AKO Camp Kashrus Committee. As we walk through, he explains to us the common potential problems that may crop up. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/color-war-breakout To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

28

Canoe Pass Inspection?

Jun 27, 2024

14:08

The AKO Camp Initiative Back for it's second year, the AKO Kashrus Camp Initiative is here to help any camp that wants set itself up to suceed at serving kosher all summer long. Rabbi Moshe Kaufman, Kashrus Administrator for KVH Kosher ~ Rabbinical Council of New England and Co-chairman of the AKO Camp Kashrus Committee explains to us in depth, the great need to set your camp up with the proper systems in place View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/canoe-pass-inspection To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

29

It’s Grill Pre-Season

Jun 20, 2024

8:50

With summers arrival, grilling season has officially begun. What is the deal with pre-seasoned cast iron pans. Can they be used as is? Do they need to be kashered? If so, how does one kasher? Let's listen to Rabbi Dovid Cohen - Administrative Rabbinical Coordinator at the cRc, as he navigates with us through this sugya. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/it-s-grill-pre-season To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

30

Cholov Yisroel

Jun 6, 2024

16:28

On The Cow Carousel Shavuos has become synonymous with milchigs. But what does it take to set up a system to ensure cholov yisroel milk? Let’s take a walk with Rabbi Tzvi Rosen - Kashrus Administrator at the STAR-K through a dairy farm. As we take this virtual tour he explains all the processes and systems to ensure the highest level of kashrus. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/cholov-yisroel To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

31

Vegan Certified vs. Kosher Certified

May 30, 2024

9:59

While there are many things that overlap between vegan products and kosher products, one does not guarantee the other. Let's listen in to Rabbi Sholom H. Adler - Senior Kashrus Administrator at Earth Kosher as he explains the nuances differentiating the two. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/vegan-certified-vs-kosher-certified To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

32

America Runs On Dunkin’

May 23, 2024

13:23

But is it kosher? A walkthrough of your local Dunkin’ Donuts store from a kashrus perspective with R’ Sholem Fishbane, Director of Kashrus for the Chicago Rabbinical Council and Executive Director of AKO. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/america-runs-on-dunkin To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

33

Product Of Israel

May 16, 2024

15:45

מצוות התלויות בארץ It happens all the time that we hear about a specific store selling produce from Eretz Yisroel. Most of us stay away from that produce to avoid problems with Trumos and Maasros. Well not anymore! Rabbi Dovid Cohen - Administrative Rabbinical Coordinator at the cRc, walks us through the Mitzvah of separating Trumos and Maasros clearly and concisely. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/product-of-israel To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

34

How To Kasher A Tank

May 9, 2024

12:52

If you’re wondering why a tank would need to be kashered, you probably aren’t thinking of a storage tank. Storage tanks are those massive white round buildings you often pass on the highway, and have probably wondered what they are. Let’s listen to Rabbi Yochanan Schnall - a Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRc as he explains the processes involved in kashering entire multi-storied buildings! View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/how-to-kasher-a-tank To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

35

Potayto, Potahto

Apr 18, 2024

11:13

It’s All A Matter Of Perspective Potatoes. A staple for Pesach in most homes. Let’s listen in to Rabbi Avraham Juravel - Rabbinic Coordinator at the OU, and the chief Rabbi of Idaho Falls, as he talks about potatoes and the kashrus related issues. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/potayto-potahto To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

36

Intentional Attention

Apr 11, 2024

13:06

Lishmah We Must Mention In Part 2 of our matzah baking episode, we listen to Rabbi Dovid Cohen - Administrative Rabbinical Coordinator at the cRc explains to us how to achieve the obligation of having your matzos baked with the right intentions, lishmah. To what extent? How do we achieve this? Who can bake the matzos? All these questions and more. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/intentional-attention To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

37

Knead For Speed

Apr 4, 2024

17:27

Baking Matzah Let’s listen in to a fascinating conversation with Rabbi Dovid Cohen - Administrative Rabbinical Coordinator at the cRc as he walks us through the matzah baking process in great detail. A step by step explanation of the process explaining where there may be potential problems of letting the dough sit, without being worked on. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/knead-for-speed To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

38

Hidden Hazards

Mar 28, 2024

15:22

Chometz In Disguise. “What can be wrong with…?” That’s a question that is fairly common when it comes to kashrus. But when it comes to Pesach, the answer to that question changes drastically. Let’s listen in to Rabbi Avraham Juravel who is a Rabbinic Coordinator at the OU, as well as being in charge of their ingredient division, who explains in great detail what can be wrong with seemingly innocuous products. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/hidden-hazards To Donate: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

39

Heavenly Hamantashen

Mar 15, 2024

10:08

The Forbidden Formula Back in the day, Hamantashen were much simpler. There were a few basic fillings, such as raspberry jam and poppy seed. Today it is much more complicated, as they can range from dairy caramel filled Hamantashen, to pulled beef stuffed Hamantashen. How does this affect the Halacha? Do they need special simanim? Let’s listen to Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, Kashrus administrator at the cRc, and Executive Director of AKO, as he walks us through this complex sugya. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/heavenly-hamantashen Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

40

Liquid Logistics

Mar 8, 2024

16:32

In It For The Long Haul Most commercial products nowadays have some sort of liquid in their ingredient panel. The complexities of transporting liquids and keeping them kosher while being transported, falls directly under the watchful eye of Rabbi Yochanan Schnall - a Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRc in charge of their transportation industry. Let’s listen in as he takes us on a tour behind the scenes of the tanker trucking industry. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/liquid-logistics Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

41

Hydroponic Quest

Mar 1, 2024

14:41

To Eradicate The Pests Hydroponics. Aeroponics. Vertical farming. These are just a few of the terms of recent innovations in the world of agriculture. How do these various methods of planting produce affect the levels of infestation? Let’s listen to Rabbi Sholom Tendler - Kashrus Administrator at the STAR-K as he addresses these timely issues and more. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/hydroponic-quest Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

42

Oven Overhaul

Feb 23, 2024

17:38

Shabbos Mode Redefined How has Shabbos mode been refined to avoid the newer shailos that have arisen? Let’s listen to Rabbi Tzvi Ortner - Director of the Technology Department at the OU as he walks us through ovens and other appliances. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/oven-overhaul Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

43

‎כי אשמרה שבת

Feb 16, 2024

21:40

The Shabbos Keeper. Technology has come a long way since the refrigerator has been invented. Together with the advancements in technology come many complications in Halacha. Whether it involves sensors, compressors, defrosters, or the good old shaila of the light bulb, a group of Rabbonim have strived to find a heter to all of these shailos that is 100% lechatchila to use. Let’s listen to Rabbi Tzvi Ortner - Director of the Technology Department at the OU as he provides us with a detailed background on the various shailos and their solutions. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/ki-eshmerah-shabbos Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

44

There’s An App For That

Feb 8, 2024

13:28

Some topics need to be revisited as technology evolves. Food delivery service apps such as door-dash and Uber-eats definitely fall in that category. So even though we already covered the basics last year, let’s find out what’s new in this field with Rabbi Sholom Tendler a Kashrus Administrator at the STAR-K. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/there-s-an-app-for-that Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

45

Vinegar Vignettes

Feb 2, 2024

10:52

Purity In A Sour World The key ingredient in all vinegars is wine. The key ingredient in most wines are grapes. For this reason many vinegars are very kosher sensitive. Let’s listen in to Rabbi Dovid Cohen - Administrative Rabbinical Coordinator at the cRc as he details each type of vinegar and their kashrus concerns. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/vinegar-vignettes Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

46

Yoshon Bytes

Jan 26, 2024

22:58

A Guide To Chodosh In The Digital Age For those who are makpid on eating only yoshon, it always involved a paperback booklet that listed various products and at what date they started being problematic. Let’s listen to Rabbi Sholom Tendler - Kashrus Administrator at the Star-K as he guides us through advancements in technology, and what that means for the consumer. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/yoshon-bytes Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

47

Turning Up The Heat

Jan 19, 2024

15:44

Bishul Yisrael Sefaradi One of the biggest and often the most complicated chumros that sefardim are makpid on is the criteria to have bishul yisrael. Let’s listen in to R’ Hayim Arking - Administrator at the JSOR as he explains the complexities of restaurants dealing with bishul yisrael Sefaradi requests, and the ingenious ideas that are implemented. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/turning-up-the-heat Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

48

Mouthwatering Mazza

Jan 12, 2024

9:45

Nusach Sefard Most kashrus agencies rely on the psak of the Rem”a for ashkenazim, because that is the base of their clientele. Let’s listen in to R’ Hayim Arking - Administrator at the JSOR as he explains the complexities of certifying kashrus according to the Mechaber. He goes through one by one, the various challenges that need to be addressed to ensure kashrus lemehadrin for sefardim (in addition to ashkenazim). View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/mouthwatering-mazza Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

49

Olive Beis

Jan 5, 2024

9:41

Kashrus 101 Sometimes when we think of certain products we assume that they are very basic simple products, so what can go wrong with them. We will focus on 2 such products today, olives, and olive oil. Rabbi Menachem Fishbane - Rabbinic Coordinator at Kof-K explains to us what goes into these 2 products. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/olive-beis Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

50

Risky Whiskey

Dec 29, 2023

11:36

חמץ שעבר עליו הפסח Chometz? Who’s thinking about Chometz now? Pesach isn’t for another 4 months. For some Mashgichim like Rabbi Akiva Niehaus (Director of Kashrus Operations at the cRc and the Rabbinic Coordinator of the Liquor Industry at the cRc), it is a year round worry. If the owner of a liquor company is Jewish, there can be some serious concerns in regard to aged liquor. Specifically when it comes to bourbon, there are a surprising amount of Jewish-owned distilleries. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/risky-whiskey See a comprehensive list here https://www.crcweb.org/liquor/AKO%20Whisky%20Alert%20with%20QA%20(Sep%202010).pdf And the full liquor list from the cRc here https://consumer.crckosher.org/liquor/full-liquor-list/ Join a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates https://wa.me/message/HWKKNR7VBI77L1

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