By COLlive reporter
Photos: Shalom Burkis/COLlive
The annual international OK Kosher Mashgichim conference, held virtually last year due to Covid, returned yesterday at an event held at the Jewish Children’s Museum.
The event unites mashgichim from around the world, who gather to hear Divrei Chizuk, professional development, and shiurim focused on practical kashrus.
Rabbi Chaim Fogelman, member of the OK Executive Kashrus Vaad, chairs the yearly conference and served as MC for the event.
Over 200 people participated in the conference this year, both in-person and online via zoom, which was arranged for those who could not travel due to Covid restrictions.
The event opened with a video presentation about Rabbi Don Yoel Levy obm and his life and work. Rabbi Levy served as the Kashrus Administrator and CEO of OK Kosher for close to 40 years, until his passing a year and a half ago.
The conference included a beautiful spread of breakfast and lunch, catered by OK-certified Hayat Catering.
This year’s conference included sessions about practical halachos of Shmitta, given by Rabbi Levi Schapiro, Rabbinic Coordinator at OK Kosher; halachos of non-Mevushal and Mevushal wine, given by Rabbi Shlomo Weinfeld, a member of the OK Executive Kashrus Vaad; how to make the most of a visit at a facility, given by Rabbi Sholom Ber Hendel, member of the OK Executive Kashrus Vaad.
Speaking about healthy communication between mashgichim and companies, even in complicated situations was Rabbi Shimon Lasker, Rabbinic Coordinator at OK Kosher. Rabbi Yitzchok Hanoka, Rabbinic Coordinator at OK Kosher, discussed halachos of Pas Yisroel and Bishul Yisroel.
Memories of Rabbi Lazer Teitelbaum OBM and the structure of the ingredients department was shared by Rabbi Binyamin Neufeld, Rabbinic Coordinator at OK Kosher; how to deal with the shortage of readily available kosher products and ingredients due to Covid, given by Rabbi Avi Rappaport, Regional Rabbinic Coordinator at the OK Affiliate Office in Israel; and, general management updates, given by Rabbi Eli Lando, Executive Manager of OK Kosher.
A panel discussion with Rabbi Shlomo Klein – Rabbinic Coordinator at OK Kosher, Rabbi Yaakov Teichman – Rabbinic Coordinator at OK Kosher, and Rabbi Kalman Weinfeld – member of the OK Executive Kashrus Vaad, dealt with questions and answers about food service and kashering both home and commercial kitchens.
The conference was honored by the presence of special guests, Rabbi Menachem Meir Weissmandl, the Rov of Nitra in Monsey and a world-renowned posek in all areas of Halacha, Chief Rabbi of Iran Yehuda Gerami, as well as the Chief Rabbi of Lod, Israel, Rabbi Shimon Bitton.
Rabbi Weissmandl addressed the conference and spoke about Rabbi Levy’s commitment to enforcing kashrus without compromise and the importance of continuing Rabbi Levy’s legacy.
He also spoke about the power a mashgiach has when he performs his duties properly, since as the Alter Rebbe teaches, food becomes part of our blood. When a mashgiach visits a facility and kashers it, he is in fact helping Jews around the world refine their neshamos and their lives. Rabbi Weissmandl concluded with words of chizuk to the staff of the OK, and remarked that he was very happy to see that the Mashgichim of the OK fulfill their mission to the highest standard.
Mrs. Dina Fraenkel was thanked for managing and arranging the conference each year, working for months planning and arranging every detail.
