On Wednesday, January 8, STAR-K Kosher Certification�s Baltimore offices hosted a seminar for Jewish Experience Week (J.E.W.). The seminar, led by STAR-K Kashrus Administrators Rabbi Zvi Goldberg and Rabbi Zvi Holland, enlightened college students from around the country about the function of a kosher certification agency and various practical Kashrus issues.

Rabbi Holland�s presentation, �The Wonderful World of Kosher Certification�, covered the history of kosher certification, the globalization of food production and Kosher certification, the difference between a local agency and an International agency, non-profit public agencies certifying kashrus as opposed to individuals, the need and value of retaining public trust in kosher agencies, how halachic decisions are made at STAR-K and how they are kept separate

from business, and STAR-K�s unique role as the only major non-profit Kosher agency dedicated only to Kosher. An informative Q & A session followed.

Rabbi Goldberg�s talk, �The Mystical and the Practical�, addressed the Torah basis and Kabbalistic reasons for Kosher, as well as practical points about Kosher, such as separation of meat and milk, self-control, and products that do not require kosher certification. Common questions that consumers ask were discussed, as well. These questions included: Doesn�t kosher mean the Rabbi blesses the food? Do I have to be an informed kosher consumer? Can I just read ingredients on the label to tell if an item is kosher? Can vegans and vegetarians eat pareve foods without any concern? Why is eel�that has small scales and elongated fins–not kosher? Do raw vegetables require kosher certification? Are all bagels kosher? If animals and birds need to be slaughtered, why don�t fish?

STAR-K was just one of the students� many stops. The weeklong submersion in Jewish learning took place in Baltimore and also offered: daily in depth Gemarah learning with chavrusas from the Baltimore community at Yeshivas Ner Yisroel; learning from world class Torah personalities, Rosh HaYeshiva Rav Aron Feldman, shlit�a and Rabbi Yissacher Frand, shlit�a; visiting Mr. Howard Tzvi Friedman, past president and chairman of the board of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC); volunteering for Ahavas Yisroel, making Shabbos food packages for Baltimore�s needy; and, experiencing an inspiring Shabbos on Ner Yisroel�s Yeshiva Lane. The students also enjoyed trips to Washington D.C. and met with Congressman Ted Deutch of Florida and Jon Carney of Delaware; visited the congressional offices of Representatives Elliot Engel and Grace Meng (NY); met Rav Abba Cohen of Agudas Yisroel; and, toured the National Holocaust Museum.

Rabbi Zvi Schwartz, one of the organizers of J.E.W., explains, �Learning from the rabbonim at STAR-K not only raised their knowledge and consciousness about the mitzvah of Kashrus, it gave them the confidence to overcome the challenges of keeping kosher. I would like to thank STAR-K for actively promoting Kashrus through their many educational programs for consumers of all backgrounds.�

�The recent J.E.W. seminar at STAR-K is another example of how STAR-K is dedicated to not only certifying kosher foods worldwide but making time for our constituency; by educating the kosher consumer every opportunity we have,� says Rabbi Holland. �We welcome any and all consumer inquiries for kosher education and information.�

Rabbi Goldberg added: �Hosting the participants of J.E.W. was a great delight for STAR-K. They had excellent questions and we hope they walked away satisfied with the answers. STAR-K�s goal is to disseminate as much Kashrus information as possible, whether it is to frum yidden or those not yet committed, and everyone in between.�

One J.E.W. participant, H.E., perhaps best summed up the feel of this extraordinary learning experience: �The Star-K meeting was hilarious; something dry turned into an amazing and entertaining meeting.�