Reader Comments
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Mr. Lubinsky: Clearly, you have an agenda in publishing this self serving propaganda newsletter on Kashrus. To call Kashrus Today a newsletter is an oxymoron as you do not report all the salient news that is fit to print. You only print what you deem should be read by others, omitting the REAL issues. The real issue is the fact that Rubashkin was arrested. The real issue is that Agriprocessor was fined $10M. The real issue is what shenanigans were transpiring at Agriprocessors. You like to paint the world of Kashrus as being rosy and problem-free. I dare say you probably overlooked the entire Monsey scandal of two years ago. Your reporting of issues is meaningless and misleading. Fortunately, readers still read the nation’s major newspapers and are able to see through your forest as to what the real and unfortunate issues facing Kashrus today are. Kashrus today (pardon the pun) is more than just promoting your mega-fress, Kosherfest. It is about the unfortunate chilul Hashem that occurs out there in Middle America. Be a relevant editor and report Kashrus relevant issues as they occur, for better or for worse. From September Firstly, let me say that I applaud the work that you do on Kosher Today, and it's newsletter. I commend your efforts. I must say that I'm curious as to today's newsletter. It seems to me incongruous that you would allow the O/U a pass in their threat to remove their certification unless a new CEO is found, whereas any criticism that has been leveled at Agri by the Hechsher Tzedek folks has been condemned as coming as some sort of vendetta. Why give the O/U a pass? Just because they're a frum organization shouldn't give them excuse to bully Agriprocessors. If you truly believe that Agri's actions are so noble, why not be critical of the O/U's announcement as well? I'm not trying to be a pain in your neck….I'm genuinely curious. Thanks, and continued good work, A.B. Response to above comment: Thank you for taking the time to comment on My Sixth Sense column of today. My intention was not to give the OU “a pass” as you state. In fact, I pointed out that there is quite a bit of controversy on the OU’s threat to withdraw their certification unless a new CEO was named. As I wrote, I too share the notion that a new CEO would be helpful in safeguarding the supply of kosher meat, which is what motivated the OU’s position and frankly is my main interest. There is a vast difference between the OU’s threat and the Hechsher Tzedek concept. The OU is seeking to restore confidence in the company so that the supply of kosher meat can be continued and the good name of kosher can be restored. Hechsher Tzedek seeks to redefine kashrus (even using the name Hechsher) by arbitrarily choosing concepts in the Torah that are politically correct, selectively pointing its finger at Agri without applying the concept to all food companies and indeed all businesses, and promotes a concept that is difficult to police, is already under scrutiny by government, and will further drive up the cost of kosher, not to speak of the fact that it will not be accepted by the core consumer that drives the industry. I appreciated all your accolades about KosherToday and am gratified by your support. Menachem Lubinsky KosherToday Editor-in-Chief I am disturbed to learn that this feeling is in another area of the U.S. I am from Framingham, MA and go to Wal-Mart for certain items. At the time our neighborhood Kosher butcher closed and Passover was 10 days away, I approached the store manager, explained that the local butcher closed and to PLEASE accommadate the Jewish trade. I gave him names of distributors, and key people to contact. He said he would look into it, and call me back. Have you heard from him? Now in the stores, they carry Hebrew Natonal hot dogs, probably because Hebrew National advertises on TV. They cater to the Brazilian community, and the Spanish community. Sad, sad, sad! They are some very wonderful products out there that we could buy and they could even make money on. -P. Rotberg Reader Comments from August 11th newsletter: By the way, Goldenbergs deli in the Marais district was NOT a kosher restaurant and did not have any hechsher, at least the several times I visited Paris. It was more equivalent to a Ben's Deli, although even that has a hechsher (of dubious value) and I believe that Goldenbergs may have served dairy foods as well, though I'm not certain. The decline in kosher foods has less to due with aliyah I suspect, and more to do with a steady trend over the last 2 decades of gentrification of the Marais quarter as the Soho of Paris, leading to higher rents. Michael Rogovin I hope this e-mail finds you well. I find you weekly newsletter well thought out, intelligently written, and informative. I look forward to reading your words regardless of whether I am in agreement with you or otherwise. You, Rabbi Lubinsky appear to be a well read, intelligent, and frum Jew. Therefore, I will cut to the chase. I would point out, however, that it is my humble opinion and with the greatest respect, that your unwavering support of the Rubashkins slaughterhouse will lead to no good end. I feel as if your seemingly indignant and defensive posture of Rubashkins in such an arbitrary public forum as yours may sour your well-earned good name and credibility. As most kosher consumers may have already done, I also have previewed the PETA videos and the subsequent criminal indictments against Agriprocessors. Is Agriprocessors a "BAD" oppressive, and treif company as presented in the courts and public opinion? I hope not!!! We should pray that we have not eaten meat that is forbidden. I will point out, however, for what it is worth, I agree with you unequivocally, that a non-observant Shabbos desecrating Conservative Rabbi has no place pretending to certify food as kosher and/or acceptable. I very much appreciate you making that point clearly and succintly. It is not my place, nor am I learned enough to pass judgment on Rubashkins. However, your weekly e-mails may have the unintended effect of stoking the fire of hatred and opposition. The practice of attacking one's supposed rival rarely achieves one's goals and generally has the opposite effect. The opinion of a man is unimportant until challenged by another. I humbly submit that neither your nor any other person's position in this matter will prevail through accusation and counter-accusation. Following closely behind Tisha B’Av, the One True G-d must be more greatly saddened. After all, two thousand years following the destruction of our Holy Bais HaMikdash,Jews attack and accuse one another. I encourage you, with G-ds help, to be machmir and resilent to the the temptation to do otherwise. All the best… Kol Tov. Simon Horowitz I very much appreciate the fact that you took the time out to write and particularly your initial accolades about my column and coverage in KosherToday. Your concern for my reputation, built over 35 years, is laudatory, but I have always placed a premium on the truth, which has been severely maligned in this whole Agripricessors saga. In fact, your very first statement is a good example. The PETA video is now 3 years old, and despite what you saw in the video, it was never flagged by the USDA, which monitors every aspect of production and was, according to many humane slaughter experts, not inhumane. But even so, Agriprocessors has made many improvements and implemented suggestions by the foremost expert on humane slaughter, Dr. Temple Grandin. It has passed four independent humane slaughter audits. So where is the inhumane treatment of animals? In the courts? When was Agriprocessors indicted? That’s the point, some of the malicious coverage has you believing that unproven allegations are indictments and soon perhaps you’ll think conviction. Treife? Agriprocessors has by far the best kosher certification, under Rabbi Menachem M. Weissmandl and the Orthodox Union. If you have read me, you should fully appreciate the forces at work with very specific agendas to discredit Agriprocessors, an important component in the supply of kosher meat all over the country. I am proud of my role in exposing the truth and in 35 years have never suffered from being truthful and serving the interests of the Jewish community, which in this case is truth and the supply of kosher meat and frankly the interests of the kosher in general. You are so right. After 2,000 years, Jews should not be behind a “blood libel” to discredit a company that has done so much to make kosher meat and poultry available all over the country. What I have learned in my 35-year career is that in the end truth prevails and will here as well. Thank you so much for your e-mail. Best of luck. Menachem Lubinsky While OU policy is to allow meat dishes to be served at their restaurants during the 9 days, others like the Star-k do not permit this, and this should be noted. I believe that it would have been better (more newsworthy) to report about a restaurant that switched menu to all-pareve. Thank you. Aryeh G. You had a lot to say about last week's trip by the rabbis. I hope you will have a comment on this Chicago Tribune story: Child labor violations announced at Agriprocessorswww.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-ia-agriprocessors-ch,0,6482558.story Sincerely, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Agriprocessors reply to D. Katzin's comment, obtained by Menachem Lubinsky: STATEMENT BY AGRIPROCESSORS Postville, Iowa 5:00 p.m. August 5, 2008 -- Agriprocessors is at a loss to understand the Iowa Labor Commissioner's referral and press release of today on the issue of alleged child labor at Agriprocessors. As the government knows, it is Agriprocessors' policy not to hire underage workers, and to terminate any employees who are determined to be under 18 years of age. In fact, in 2007, Agriprocessors terminated four employees whom it determined were underage and had provided false documents in order to obtain employment. The Company has cooperated with the government throughout its investigation, providing documents and opening its plant and its records to government inspection. In early 2008, government inspectors came to the Postville plant, looked for underage workers, identified two youthful looking employees for further investigation, investigated their background and ultimately allowed the employees to return to work. At no time did the government identify to the company any violations. When the government told Agriprocessors in April 2008 that it knew that underage employees were working at the Postville plant, Agriprocessors repeatedly requested that the government identify those workers so that the company could terminate them. The Iowa Labor Commissioner's Office refused. As a result of the government's decision, apparently those children may have continued to work at the plant and presumably at least some were arrested in the May 12 ICE enforcement action. The government now has seen fit to issue a press release alleging child labor law violations. The government's press release does not state that the company knowingly hired underage workers. The company asks the public to keep an open mind and wait for the evidence before making any judgments about these, or any other, allegations. Reader Comments from July 28th newsletter I am in the food service industry. I don't believe that the kosher market is so different from the main markets in price fluctuations. I was purchasing Joseph's Farms cheeses until they went non-kosher. When I heard the news I called the main broker and he told me what he was selling it to my distributor for. I was being robbed from the distributor, who was telling me it was cheaper then CY cheese but still expensive because of the kosher run. He was buying it for 10 cents over block price. I was paying a 1 dollar over block. The consumers are being robbed blind. Years ago when I was a cheese broker there was another California cheese company, that their Kosher for Passover cheese was actually produced cheaper then the kosher year round cheese and they wanted to pass the savings on to the customers. Both retailers and distributors refused to run the idea. They were happy to pocket the extra profit. Two years ago when China stopped accepting American Poultry, I was at a kosherfest lecture where the speaker from the USDA was telling the whole room that there was a surplus of poultry and the market prices where dropping. Meanwhile I spoke with Empire and Vineland who told me there was a shortage of poultry and that is why prices are going up. Non-vested government report says there is a surplus and vested profit makers are saying there is a shortage. Who do I believe, the government report, and I know that I am getting robbed by the poultry guys. In a time when the economy is getting tight, people are having a hard time feeding their families, there is a capitalization on market fears to push up the prices more. We are losing competitive competition in the market place and the manufacturers and distributors are laughing all the way to the bank on the backs of the masses. mmmm...kosher food, Jewish education, shul dues, which one do I drop? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reader Comments from July 21st newsletter Dear Mr. Lubinsky, Your failure in this week’s newsletter to honestly confront the clear wrongdoing against Rabbi Allen by a representative of Agriprocessors, while continuing your attacks on him, stands out as more than a simple oversight and does not help your client. The head of the PR firm admitted that a senior staff member wrote those fake emails and his company will “ensure this cannot happen again,” but the truth is that the legal consequences of this “identity theft” may not be sufficiently covered by an apology or new procedures. Agriprocessor and its representatives should focus on fixing its problems, rather than attacking its critics, as you regularly do by calling them “extremists” and “fringe groups” to minimize their legitimacy. I share some concerns about “self-appointed” groups, but given Agriprocessors mistakes and the really stupid actions of its NY PR firm, it would be much better for you to concentrate on any legitimate issues raised by these groups and the steps being taken to correct the situation. Sincerely, Dear KosherToday, I have just seen your article about the kosher food shortages in China leading up to the Olympics, and I must disagree with most of it. The article is incorrect, misquoting and untrue. Yes the Government has become stricter on visa issuing, however this is in order to protect those who will be here during the Olympics. The Chinese government, like most in the world, have strict rules on food items brought into their country. Just as one can not bring food into Australia, the U.S., England or Europe, you can not bring food into China. This is not a new rule! It has been in place for years! We have been living here for 7 years and the availability of kosher food is at its peak right now. We are able to get almost anything we need! We have a Glatt Kosher restaurant, Dini's (www.kosherbeijing.com) that will be open during the Olympics 24 hrs a day, kosher meat and chicken (with all shechita done here in Beijing and distributed to all Jewish Communities in China), Kiddush and drinking wine and bread. We also have numerous stores throughout Beijing that sell imported food products from the USA, Australia and Europe. Suffice it to say that we have no kosher food shortages in Beijing! During the Olympics Kosher food will be readily available. There will be kosher food for those living in the Olympic village and there will be kosher food for visitors and spectators! Chabad (www.chabadbeijing.com) is ready and prepared to serve and care for all Jewish travelers who will be coming to Beijing for the Olympics and any time afterwards. I am the Rabbi of the Jewish Community in Beijing and would be happy to answer any questions. None of the people quoted in your article live in Beijing and those of us who do respect the country that hosts us and have no food shortages whatsoever! Thank you, Rabbi Shimon Freundlich Reader Comments from July 14th Sixth Sense My compliments to you for bringing attention to the circumstances surrounding the ICE raid on Agri-Processors. I am a historian of the meat industry, and in my talks with firms in Delaware's Poultry industry I have learned that companies are extremely limited in what they can do if they suspect job applicants supply them with false social security information. Federal rules against employment discrimination make it illegal for companies to single out applicants who are from Latino backgrounds for special review. This is called racial profiling. So what is a firm to do if the applicants' documents check out yet they suspect the social security numbers are fraudulent? They have to choose whether to risk violating discrimination or law or risk an ICE raid. The tragedy is that these good men and women who were working at Agri-Processors, seeking only to make money for their families, will now spend months in federal prison for the "crime" of taking a hard job making meat available for observant Jews. Dr. Roger Horowitz Reader Comments from July 7th Sixth Sense J. Cooperman Reader Comments from June 30th Sixth Sense I must say that I am in total disagreement with the gist of your personal commentary about the Agriprocessors / Hekhsher Tzedek brouhaha. Certainly kashrus and workers rights are two different halachik issues. But how can an ehrlicher yid buy his food from a company that may abuse their workers' rights? I don't even believe this is a case of lifnim meshuras hadin. It's an ethical issue that is clear to me. It's brought down in the fifth chelek of shulchan aruch, in our day arguably the most important chelek. I think you're also being a bit disceitful in characterizing the Rabbis of Hekhsher Tzedek as "several conservative rabbis and other liberal groups." You know what you're doing by omitting completely any reference to Orthodox or Modern Orthodox rabbis that in fact make up much of the Hekhsher Tzedek group. I guess you have your own interests at heart, but I'd take the words of the Ramban when he speaks about the menuval birshoot hatorah very seriously. There's no reason why kashrus standards and ethical standards cannot coexist. Peri White ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I just wanted to take a moment and let you know how much I enjoy reading your articles. I own a kosher sushi place in Toronto, and you make it very easy for me to receive all the current market information all in one place. Keep up the good work. Thanks again, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for your weekly news on the Kosher food industry. I enjoy these emails very much. I do respect you for making full disclosure of your paid association with Agriprocessors. However, I do take issue with your stance that the Tzedek Hechsher's requirements to receive their hashgocha "have no basis in halacha". Rav Moshe Feinstein, z"tl did not eat veal and recommended against its consumption for the simple fact that pain was caused to the animal during its lifetime for the purpose of making it a more edible and appealing product. Rav Soloveitchik, without ambiguity, mandated that a hechsher on a kosher business facility meant that dina malchusa dina must be followed. I have personally heard Rabbi Steve Weil - the future Executive Director of the OU - speak in Rav Soloveitchik's name on this subject many times. There is a good reason: hechsher is supposed to mean kosher. "Be holy for I am holy" - means that we should be righteous in all of our business dealings. We are what we eat. Unfair business practices or inapprorpriate business practices that violate halacha, dina malchusa dina, or even simple Jewish or secular business ethics does, at least on a spiritual level, have an affect. In making full disclosure as you make full disclosure with your association with Agri, I acknowledge the following: I was one of the businesses adversely affected by the illegal and anti-Torah business practices of Agriprocessors. I have retained legal counsel. My legal counsel has notified Mr. David Rosenfield of my intention to pursue settlement. Short of settlement, I will pursue legal means against Agri in order to secure my restitution. Any and all means will be totally within the confines of halacha, Torah, AND dina malchusa dina. Never, ever would I employ tactics such as Agri in order to acquire what is rightfully mine. So far, Agri has not responded. This lack of response - or a response that is not reasonable - will force the pursuit of other legal options. This is something we would all like to avoid. But Agri can no longer continue along its merry way persecuting its own people through illegal business practices. I have set the 11th of Tamuz as my own self-imposed deadline to affect a fair and reasonable disposition of my issues with Agri. This date has special significance to me: It is the day that my business, Kosher Case Club, had to close its doors due to Agri's illegal aggressions. While I do not expect you to publicly print any of the above due to your paid affiliation with Agri, I do believe it is important, for your own sense of integrity and emes, to know that there are other legitimate issues with Agri. They are not tzaddikim. Miriam Shear ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In response to the "Sixth Sense" comments relating to Agri-Processors, I’m glad to see that you label the comments as your own. Clearly, you are aware that it is to your benefit to have a “wall” between your journalistic role and your P.R./advocacy role. Let me add that I very much enjoy your newsletter and read every issue “cover-to-cover.” Sincerely, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I so appreciate KosherToday and thank you so much for sending it to me. Best, Although there was a small disclaimer that you do 'on occasion' represent Agriprocessors, there is no mention whether you are currently on the clock or on retainer. I have found that your coverage of their latest troubles, beginning with the INS raid in Postville through today's article, has been very much like a PR piece. For example-Way to go for fair-minded and decent people!-is not what one needs to read, neither is an attack on YCT's pedigree or position in the modern orthodox world. This is not the '9/11 of kashrut' & it will die down, with new workers being hired, and prices recalibrating. The real question is, whether the Kosher Today e-newsletter is more news, or opinion, with marketing consulting hours being charged. Sincerely, To comment, please email: editor@koshertoday.com
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