Kashrut Discussion

February 16, 2014Shir Hadash

Shir Hadash Events

• Synagogue events at our building– Full Jewish community invited– Focused on Shir Hadash membership

• Synagogue events held at other locations• Private member events held at our building– Shir Hadash events (bar/bat mitzvah, etc.)– Non-Shir Hadash events (Boy Scout meeting, etc.)

• Private member events at other locations• Non-member events held at our building

MEAT

• Options:– Kosher caterer only– Kosher certification required– No certification needed – kosher requested– Kosher by ingredient– “Kosher style”

• Eco-Kosher or Ethical Kosher

Pork & Shellfish

Milk & Meat

• In general, milk and meat not to be served together – includes poultry as meat

• How long to wait in between?– Have meat, clear the meal, then can have dessert– But then what about dairy appetizers?– OK to have milk first, then meat?– Have meat, then a program, then dessert?– Try not to get too complicated with rules– But try to be sensitive to member concerns

Pareve• Neutral – is neither meat nor milk• Can be eaten with either• Veggies and fruits fit in this category - eggs and fish too• Sometimes, looks like dairy or meat – for example: soy

cheese, almond milk, TVP• Sometimes seems pareve, but if you check the label, it’s

not – some margarines• Might recommend that people check labels

– Recommend that for dinners, but not onegs?• Be sensitive to member preferences – vegetarian and

vegans, for example

Eco-Kosher & Ethical Kosher

• What are these concepts?• Makes kosher more than about ingredients• Key issues– For meat, no antibiotics or hormones– Organic – minimal processing, no use of pesticides– Locally sourced when possible– For meat, humane living conditions & slaughter– Working conditions for employees, other employer

responsibilities– Sustainability, fair trade

Kitchen• If kosher meat only with caterers, then no need to worry

about our kitchen• If allow non-catered kosher meat, then there are options:

– Need separate cabinets, utensils, silverware, plates, pots/pans, etc.?

– Allow people to bring in own kosher equipment– Keep separate cabinet with equipment used only for kosher

meat events– Does this then require a kosher supervisor?– How deal with utensils used for wrong thing – cleaning process

• How about a SH barbecue?– Could use paper goods only– Bring spatulas to be used for this event only

Potluck Events• Oneg – refreshments after Friday night service:

dessert, snacks, fruit, veggies/dip, etc.• Meals• Stay with historic practice of veggie/dairy, or

allow meat meals? – If allow meat, then has to be kosher certified?– How do we know that items are actually kosher?

• Food prepared at home or store-bought• Inclusiveness is relevant consideration• Consider members who are vegan or vegetarian

Allergies & Sensitivities• Milk, gluten, peanuts…• Do we ban any particular foods or ingredients?• Do we require or recommend ingredient lists?– Do this for Community Seder– Not required for private event, since that is a family

responsibility?– For pot luck events

• Onegs – have not required a list• Meals?• Can have homemade or store-bought foods• Consider liability issues – disclaimers?

Non-Event Foods• Snacks brought in by kids on Sunday– Allow meat snacks?– How about snacks with meat-based ingredients?– Use as educational opportunity for kids

• Food brought in by people attending meetings or classes

• Staff bringing in lunch• Options: – Veggie/dairy only– Veggie/dairy and kosher-certified meat allowed

• How do you supervise/enforce?

Kosher vs. Non-Kosher:A Catering Comparison

PaNosh - Kosher

Kosher Adult Dinner with Dessert Starters (3 selections + 5 with surcharge)

Under 100 guests $17.00 Choice of 2 sides (11 selections)

Over 100 guests 15.00 Desserts (3 selections + 5 with surcharge)

1 challah per 8 guests

Chicken - choice of 7 entrees Phylo Chicken - $5 surcharge

Spaghetti with meat sauce Brisket - $7 surcharge

Spinach or Cheese Lasagnas Pan Fried Tilapia - $2 surcharge

Eggplant Parmigiana Grilled Fillet of Salmon - $2 surcharge

Sautéed Vegetable Medley in Filo

Vegetarian Cutlet (not included: tableware, table décor, beverages, servers, delivery)

Kosher vs. Non-Kosher:A Catering Comparison

Max and Benny’s – Non-Kosher

Dinner Includes: chopped liver or relish tray,

Any number of guests fresh vegetables, rice or potatoes, salad,

Chicken $16.95 dinner rolls, coffee cake (dessert trays

Fish $17.95 available at additional cost)

Brisket $18.95

Brisket and Chicken $17.95

Turkey and Stuffing $16.95

(not included: tableware, table décor, beverages, servers, delivery)

Kosher vs. Non-Kosher: A Catering ComparisonBrunch/Kiddush

PaNosh - Kosher Max and Benny’s – Non-Kosher

Brunch $9.95 pp Benny’s Brunch $12.95 pp

Noodle Kugel, Tuna Salad, Egg Salad, Tuna Salad, Egg Salad, Fruit Salad,

Fresh Fruit Tray, Cream Cheeses, Cream Cheeses, Sliced Onions,

Sliced Tomatoes, Onions & Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Mini Bagels &

Selection of Bagels & Rolls Rolls

Deluxe Brunch $19.95 pp Benny’s Deluxe Brunch $25.95 pp

Smoked Salmon (sliced & rolled), Lox, Cream cheeses, Smoked Whitefish

Cream Cheeses, Orzo Salad (w/ Sun or Whitefish Salad, Tuna Salad, Noodle

Dried Tomatoes, Parmesan Cheese & Kugel, Fruit Salad, Bagels, Bialys, Rolls

Basil), Tuna Salad, Noodle Kugel, Fresh Sliced Onion, Tomatoes, Cucumbers,

Fruit Tray, Selection of Bagels, Bialys, Fancy Cookie Tray

Challah, Croissants, Rolls & Breads,

Selection of Fancy Cookies