Lamed-K Becomes Division of Vaad Rabbonei Lubavitch

By COLlive reporter

The new Lamed-K kashrus organization will now be an official division of Vaad Rabbonei Lubavitch, the Central Committee of Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbis in the United States and Canada.

Members of the Vaad’s Executive Committee voted in favor of making Lamed-K “officially incorporated” and under their auspices and direction this past month.

“This step is taken advisedly and without any intention to infringe upon other kashrus organizations, it is meant to provide the highest standard of Lubavitch shechita to shluchim and communities,” stated the Vaad’s Menahel Rabbi Nochem Kaplan.

Lamed-K opened at the urging of Heshy Friedman, owner of Agri Star Meat & Poultry LLC, North America’s largest kosher meat plant based in Postville, Iowa.

Friedman was hoping that a national Chabad certification would boost sales for the Shor Habor meat label considered “Lubavitch shechita” and then certified by CHK – the kashrus agency of the Crown Heights Beis Din.

When CHK terminated their work with Agri (over new stringencies they wanted to incorporate), Lamed-K stepped in, promising to continue the same Lubavitch standards. Lamed-K’s head is Rabbi Shlomo Segal, who formerly represented CHK.

In his letter, Rabbi Kaplan stated that the rabbonim leading Lamed-K “are renowned for their experience in kashrus matters. As shochtim themselves, they are valued respected for their integrity and uncompromising standards of kashrus. They are without question, qualified to carry the responsibility of supervision at the AgriStar plant.”

He added, “We know that AgriStar will continue to maintain the highest kashrus standards and assure that Jewish communities across the country will enjoy the finest quality meat products.”

Shor Habor is currently available in over 350 locations nationwide, with distributors in almost every state with a significant Jewish population.

In the letter to Chabad Shluchim, Rabbi Kaplan wrote: “Shluchim are encouraged to bring AgriStar products to their respective communities.”