2:20PM EST: [UPDATE IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] Bernard S. Feldman, 63, a prominent New York attorney, was named the new Chief Executive Officer for Agriprocessors. Mr. Feldman, a resident Long Island, specializes in corporate law, debtor/creditors rights and workouts. As a specialist in the reorganization of many companies, Mr. Feldman’s first task will be to restore production at the plant to the level of pre-May 12th, the date of an immigration raid at the plant, said Aaron Rubashkin.

In accepting the position, Mr. Feldman said that he “looked forward to putting the company back on its feet and guiding it in the appropriate direction.” He emphasized that he was “an attorney who helped many companies regain their former position in an industry.”

Mr. Feldman’s statement continued: “The Company has made significant strides since May 12th in putting together a highly professional team with a great deal of integrity. I look forward to working with these people, including Jim Martin, a former US Attorney in Missouri, who serves as the compliance officer for our company. I will also work closely with the professional manpower firms, and OSHA specialists amongst others.”

In speaking about his philosophy about Agriprocessors, Mr. Feldman noted: “Agriprocessors is more than a company: it is an institution and an absolute necessity in the Orthodox Jewish community and in the many other communities who wish to eat kosher foods.” He added that he looks forward to a close cooperation with the rabbis and agencies that certify the kosher status of Agri’s products: He added: “Kashrus was and is a primary focus of the company and is the reason why the company has been such a major success since its founding. We will also continue to focus on our exceptional quality and fair pricing, as the hallmarks of our future success.”

Mr. Feldman particularly singled out his intention to work closely with governmental agencies that are concerned with the safety of our products and the treatment of workers and animals. “In short, I have every intention of making Agriprocessors a model of kosher production.”

UPDATE 4:28PM EST: STATEMENT OF THE ORTHODOX UNION ON APPOINTMENT OF NEW CEO AT AGRIPROCESSORS

The Orthodox Union welcomes the appointment of Bernard S. Feldman as the new CEO at Agriprocessors. Mr. Feldman is an experienced corporate attorney with a track record of turning companies around. He is an independent professional who is committed to moving the company forward in the right direction.

The Orthodox Union looks forward to working closely with Mr. Feldman as he faces the challenge of restoring full production at Agriprocessors and putting the right management team in place to safeguard the company’s important role in serving the kosher community. This team already includes James Martin, former United States Attorney in St. Louis, as compliance officer.

There is now a foundation in place for restoring confidence in Agriprocessors and its mission of providing reasonably priced kosher meat to Jewish communities throughout the country. We urge all interested parties to support Mr. Feldman’s efforts to restore and upgrade the company’s important role in Jewish life in the United States.

The Orthodox Union wishes Mr. Feldman well in his new position as the CEO of Agriprocessors and looks forward to working with him to create a company in which management, the kosher consumer and the Jewish community as a whole can take pride.

Rabbi Menachem Genack

CEO

Kashrut Division, Orthodox Union

(YWN Desk – NYC)