Krakow – Kosher Supervisors Certified In Poland For The First Time Since The Holocaust

Krakow, Poland – 17 Polish Jews were officially certified today as Kosher supervisors (Mashgiach Kashrut) as part of an unprecedented three-day training seminar that was held in Krakow by the Jerusalem-based Shavei Israel organization. The graduating class marks the first time since the Holocaust that Jews have been certified as Kosher supervisors on Polish soil.

The seminar, conducted by Rabbi Dov Landau, a leading Gerrer Hasid who teaches at Yeshiva Sefas Emes and is a senior kosher supervisor in the Israeli city of Bnei Brak, and under the auspices of Poland’s Chief Rabbi Michael Shudrich, was initiated primarily because of the reemerging Jewish community in Poland and the increasing demand for locally produced kosher foods. A rise in Jewish tourism to Poland in recent years has also resulted in a necessity for more kosher food throughout the country. As a result, the graduates are expected to integrate into Poland’s kosher food industry in a very timely manner.

“This groundbreaking symposium is part of Shavei Israel’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Jewish life throughout Poland and provide the necessary tools, knowledge, and resources to the evolving community of the hidden Jews of Poland,” said Michael Freund, Founder and Chairman of Shavei Israel. “Keeping kosher elevates the act of eating and infuses it with spiritual purpose and meaning, which is a Jew’s task in all areas of life,” Freund said, adding, “Most Polish Jews grew up unaware of the laws of keeping kosher. By training a cadre of kosher supervisors, we are helping Poland’s Jews to reconnect with their heritage”.

The 17 graduates, all in their 20’s and 30’s, learned integral lessons vital to kosher food supervision from Shavei Israel’s emissaries in Poland, Rabbi Boaz Pash and Rabbi Yehoshua Ellis, such as: the laws of milk and meat, handling of the kitchen before and during Shabbat and the laws pertaining to food on Passover, among others.