Rabbi Hershel Schachter
Senior Halachic Consultant, OU Kashruth

“Is it Yashan?” is a phrase heard more and more these days in bakeries and restaurants. But what exactly is “Yashan”? Join Rabbi Hershel Schachter, Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshivas Rabbenu Yitzchok Elchanon and Senior Halachic Consultant with OU Kashruth, as he thoroughly and clearly explains this lesser-known aspect of kashrus. What makes a food Yashan or Chadash? Does this halacha apply outside of Israel? Why doesn’t everybody observe it? Tune in here for the “news’ about Yashan.

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Rabbi Dov Schreier
Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth Division

No dairy, no meat, no eggs—just veggies! So what could be safer than a vegan restaurant? Join Rabbi Dov Schreier, a Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kashruth with vast expertise in restaurant certification, as he elucidates the REAL story! How can a kosher oven create non-kosher food? What creepy-crawlies lie in wait in my salad? Tune in, and “vegan” to be educated! This seminar was originally presented at Bnot Shulamith in Cedarhurst, NY, on January 17, 2011. If you have questions or comments for Rabbi Schreier please send them to: schreier@ou.org

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Many people imagine that kosher cheese in made in kosher cheese factories. In this case, many people are wrong! Join Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer, a Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kashruth possessing singular expertise in the field of dairy certification, as he describes the inside story behind cheese manufacture. How does milk become cheese in the first place? What high-tech equipment is used in the 21st century? Must any of this equipment be kashered—and if so, how? Sit back, re”lact,” and enjoy!
Click here to see pictures of a kosher cheese factory in action. If you have questions or comments for Rabbi Gordimer please send them to: gordimer@ou.org

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Rabbi Eli Gersten
Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth

Sports drinks may energize you—but their kashrus may surprise you! Join Rabbi Eli Gersten, the OU Kashruth Rabbinic Coordinator charged with recording OU Psak and Policy, describes the issues that come up when certifying beverages. Why is a flavor different than another ingredient? And why is a grape flavor different than other flavors? And what’s that insect derivative doing in my iced tea?!? Tune in and drink from Rabbi Gersten’s wisdom… If you have questions or comments for Rabbi Gersten please send them to: gerstene@ou.org

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Rabbi Eliyahu W. Ferrell
Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth Division

Everybody knows that a kosher kitchen lacks meat-dairy mixtures. Not as well known is that mixtures of meat and fish are also disallowed! Join Rabbi Eliyahu W. Ferrell, a Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kashruth, for a clear and thorough exploration of this “orphan” topic. Must I wait six hours in-between them? Do I need separate dishes? Is gefilte fish really allowed to be served before chicken soup? Tune in and you’ll no longer be “mixed up”! If you have questions or comments for Rabbi Ferrell please send them to: ferrelle@ou.org

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Rabbi Avrohom Juravel
Director of Technical Services, OU Kashruth

Last spring, the Kollel in Kiryas Joel, NY, was privileged to hear a seminar from an internationally-respected kashrus expert. Rabbi Avrohom Juravel, OU Kashruth’s Director of Technical Services, discussed halachos and technology related to Pesach issues, as well as various all-year-‘round kashrus issues, such as oil, juices, candies and snack food. This seminar was delivered in Yiddish.

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Shabbos and Kashrus observances often prompt questions for rabbis. But some questions are so complex, not just any rabbi will do. This extra-special VIDEO features two of our generation’s great sages. OU Kashruth’s Senior Poskim, Rav Yisroel Belsky, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath, and Rav Hershel Schachter, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Rabbenu Yitzchok Elchanon, provide practical guidance for giving charity and raising children. Tune in as they address such questions as: To whom do I give Tzedakah? How much Tzedakah do I have to give? Can I give Ma’aser to a needy relative? How do I choose a yeshiva? How do I foster my child’s success in learning? What is the highest priority in child-raising? Recorded live on December 14, 2010 at OU headquarters in New York, NY.

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Answering halachic questions requires knowledge of the facts. Addressing the complex contemporary dairy industry requires a master of halacha and technology. Meet Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer,Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth, and Rabbi Tzvi Nussbaum, Faculty Member, Ateres Tzvi, NY! In a tour de force, an OU Kashruth Rabbinic Coordinator and a noted teacher clarify how timeless laws are applied to the dairy products of our time.

This lecture was delivered at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Tzvi Bar David in Riverdale, NY, in memory of Dr. Bar David’s father, Yechiel ben Tzvi, Mr. Hugo Bar David. If you have questions or comments for Rabbi Gordimer please send them to: gordimer@ou.org

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