This is a great way to kill the competition and control the sheep... and keep prices high..
Nowhere in the entire letter do they question the reliability or the kashrus level of this new hechsher...
What is really crazy, alot of those "rabbanim" that signed this "mafiosi" letter don't even live in the community....
What are they afraid of??? Could it G-d forbid be all about money? Naaa!
The letter was appropriately written on the 17th of Tammuz... ...
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Our community is very unique in that we have a hashgocha where the kashrus professionals work under the auspices of the community Rabbonim. In the day to day running of our Vaad, the kashrus professionals answer to a rotating board of community Rabbonim and lay leaders reflecting a broad cross-section of the community.
There is a great advantage in having a single universally recognized hashgocha in a community. In communities with competing hashgochas, the consumer is often ill informed of the specific reliability of each kashrus organization, which leads to confusion, and inevitably lower standards of kashrus. Our community is unique in that any community
resident or visitor, who sees the certificate of the Vaad Hakashrus of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway, can eat without any hesitation as to the quality of the kashrus. Due to the transparency through which the Vaad operates, even a consumer who accepts stricter standards, can know with certainty whether a given establishment is appropriate for him.
resident or visitor, who sees the certificate of the Vaad Hakashrus of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway, can eat without any hesitation as to the quality of the kashrus. Due to the transparency through which the Vaad operates, even a consumer who accepts stricter standards, can know with certainty whether a given establishment is appropriate for him.
Two Rabbonim in the community have recently formed a new hashgocha, the “Mehadrin of the Five Towns” which certifies FiveFifty Restaurant and Shoppe, Chimichurri Charcoal Chicken, and Keneret Fresh Market.
We have no personal ill feeling toward the Rabbonim who provide the hashgocha, and are always open to consider and incorporate opposing views to enhance the kashrus standards of our community. However, after careful consideration, we cannot in good conscience, recommend that one rely on this hashgocha.
We are aware that kashrus issues are often contentious, and can easily lead to discord within a community. However, we feel strongly that maintaining high standards of kashrus is best accomplished when the vast majority of the community Rabbonim volunteer their time to direct our kashrus professionals, with no motive other than ensuring the best interest of our community. This is done by Rabbonim who have nothing to gain other than enhancing the religious life in our community. When the field of kashrus is opened up to those who do not collaborate with the vast majority of community Rabbonim, there will be an inevitable decline in both standards and unity. We therefore discourage the members of our community in the strongest terms, from patronizing local food establishments that are
not under the hashgocha of the Vaad of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway.
not under the hashgocha of the Vaad of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway.
As a rule, it is worthwhile to remember that if one sees an unfamiliar hashgocha it is wisest to consult with your trusted local Rabbonim for guidance, just as you do for all religious matters. The established Rabbonim of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway have earned the trust of its residents over many decades of selfless service and dedication. It would be tragic to throw this valuable relationship away in one of the most important areas of Judaism.
With heartfelt prayers that our sincere efforts to enhance kashrus and religious life in our community are successful.
We, the 53 undersigned Rabbonim,
Rav Shalom Axelrod, Rav Hershel Billet, Rav Yaakov Bender
Rav Dovid Bender, Rav Eli Biegeleisen, Rav Yisroel Meir Blumenkrantz
Rav Meir Braunstein, Rav Moshe Brown, Rav Dov Bressler
Rav Pinchas Chatzinoff, Rav Shaul Chill, Rav Shaya Cohen
Rav Ariel Edelstein, Rav Aaron Feigenbaum, Rav Eytan Feiner
Rav Yaakov Feitman, Rav Binyomin Forst, Rav Yitzchok D. Frankel
Rav David Friedman, Rav Aryeh Zev Ginzberg, Rav Daniel Glatstein
Rav Dr. Aaron Glatt, Rav Kenneth Hain, Rav Simcha Hopkovitz
Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Horowitz, Rav Yudi Jeger, Rav Yehuda Kamravapour
Rav Mottel Katz Rav Moshe Zev Katzenstein Rav Aryeh Lebowitz
Rav Simcha Lefkowitz, Rav Yoni Levin, Rav Avi Miller
Rav Jonathan Muskat, Rav Motti Neuburger, Rav Uri Orlian
Rav Ephraim Polakoff, Rav Zvi Ralbag, Rav Isaac Rice
Rav Shay Schachter, Rav Pesach Schmerling, Rav Yehuda Septimus
Rav Dovid Spiegel, Rav Mordechai Stern, Rav Moshe Teitelbaum
Rav Ya’akov Trump, Rav Moshe Weinberger, Rav Pinchus Weinberger
Rav Akiva Willig, Rav Shmuel Witkin, Rav Eliyahu Wolf
Rav Zalman Wolowik, Rav Mordechai Yaff
Rav Dovid Bender, Rav Eli Biegeleisen, Rav Yisroel Meir Blumenkrantz
Rav Meir Braunstein, Rav Moshe Brown, Rav Dov Bressler
Rav Pinchas Chatzinoff, Rav Shaul Chill, Rav Shaya Cohen
Rav Ariel Edelstein, Rav Aaron Feigenbaum, Rav Eytan Feiner
Rav Yaakov Feitman, Rav Binyomin Forst, Rav Yitzchok D. Frankel
Rav David Friedman, Rav Aryeh Zev Ginzberg, Rav Daniel Glatstein
Rav Dr. Aaron Glatt, Rav Kenneth Hain, Rav Simcha Hopkovitz
Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Horowitz, Rav Yudi Jeger, Rav Yehuda Kamravapour
Rav Mottel Katz Rav Moshe Zev Katzenstein Rav Aryeh Lebowitz
Rav Simcha Lefkowitz, Rav Yoni Levin, Rav Avi Miller
Rav Jonathan Muskat, Rav Motti Neuburger, Rav Uri Orlian
Rav Ephraim Polakoff, Rav Zvi Ralbag, Rav Isaac Rice
Rav Shay Schachter, Rav Pesach Schmerling, Rav Yehuda Septimus
Rav Dovid Spiegel, Rav Mordechai Stern, Rav Moshe Teitelbaum
Rav Ya’akov Trump, Rav Moshe Weinberger, Rav Pinchus Weinberger
Rav Akiva Willig, Rav Shmuel Witkin, Rav Eliyahu Wolf
Rav Zalman Wolowik, Rav Mordechai Yaff
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I yehuda Shain are in the field of kashrus consulting for over 45 years.
ReplyDeleteCompetition is the healthiest kashrus ingredient.
Rabbi Forst has been advising in the 5 Towns area as to which facilities they feel comfortable (with the kashrus) in the 5 Towns.
We have inspected numerous facilities in the 5 Town are under the kashrus of the Vaad of the 5 Towns and found numerous shortcomings including in the area of infestation.
Reb Zelig Epstein,Z"L told me numerous times "do not handle with Rabbonim to improve kashrus issues, as they have other Agendas (don't make a tumult), handle with the consumer only.
If any of the signed Rabbonim seriously want to know how to upgrade kashrus in their area?, encourage good competition.
We are based in Lakewood, NJ. Reb Shneuer appointed me as the Mashgiach in the Lakewood yeshivas kitchen till I left Kolel (5+years).
I don't know the "story behind the story".
ReplyDeleteBut there are other communities that do the same so all stores are required to be under one community umbrella hashgocha.
If you want an additional hashgocha on top of that to show particular chumras, then you have a secondary hashgocha too.
For example, on Main street in kew gardens hills, the Meal Mart has vaad harabonim of queens (VHQ), but of course also has Hisachdus hechsher too.
The Vaad Administrator always claimed the reason the Vaad has low kashrus standards is because the Rabbonim are tying his hands.
ReplyDeleteIf that's true? he should welcome another Vaad, then he'll untie his hands and be able to upgrade (unless he's a democrat, and it was never true)
DIN, what do you mean?
ReplyDeleteThose rabbis DO live in the area.
Even Oceanside has a road that is a direct shortcut to Hewlett and they all come to shop in 5 Towns.
And pathetic too!
ReplyDeleteSome of these signatures are rabbis from the Open Barfodox camp who even if they are somehow not apikorsim they couldn't care less about kashrus.
One of the rabbis has long been backing a caterer in Queens who is a Board member of a non-Orthodox movement even more admittedly heretical than Open Orthodox. The Queens Vaad is able to cover it up by citing backing from that 5 Towns rabbi even while some Queens rabbis quietly do not eat from the caterer. In Queens it boils down to money and because even if they mandate a mashgiach on the caterer it will stir up too much of a hornet's nest among their Left Wing Young Israel constituency. And Queens pulpit rabbis are just like 5 Towns pulpit rabbis that they get nice fat salaries and won't do anything to rock the boat of the modern fressers who bankroll them.
The religious industry has nothing to do with religion or God.
ReplyDeleteIt's just a racket. Un-elected, unregulated with lots of policy privileges grandfathered from the past.
So they scam and oppress the public with impunity. Vote with your feet and wallet.
... rabbis quietly do not eat from....
ReplyDeleteIf their quiet about it how would our BBQ lover know about it??
By some it boils down to money and by others it boils down to no money as is this commenter.
Reb Zelig Epstein,Z"L also told the "older" mashgiach the he is the best and most reliable Mashgiach ever.
ReplyDeleteI also don't understand why Reb Shneur would get rid of a 5 year plus outstanding, most experienced mashgiach, who obviously is compensated very well, just because he left kollel ???
I guess Rabbis and Mashgichim must work for free as opposed to a balleh boss works for a oremium.
ReplyDelete