Category Archives: Kashrut

Who Turned Kashrut Supervision Into A Cash Cow?

Kof-K led the way in the 1970s with making serious money from kashrut supervision. Then everyone else, including the OU, woke up to the possibilities of making big bucks from overseeing the production of food within the guidelines of Jewish … Continue reading

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Montefiore Hospital (NY) Whistleblower Robert Frank Suspended, He Applies For Food Stamps Monday

Robert Frank calls me Thursday afternoon. Here and here and here and here and here my previous posts on him. Robert: “They called me in to a meeting with Human Resources on Monday. The union rep stood by and let … Continue reading

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Montefiore Whistleblower Robert Frank Suspended

New York mashgiach Robert Frank calls me Sunday afternoon. Robert: “I got suspended on Friday. The head of the department called me. I had to go back in to my religious stuff, my tefillin, and they wouldn’t let me back … Continue reading

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The Kashrut Whistleblower

Lou emails: Hi, Luke. I’m sure Mr. Frank appreciates that you and other Jewish bloggers are helping him blow the whistle on the O.U. But has it occurred to you that the man is at least slightly unhinged? Even a … Continue reading

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Montefiore Hospital Whistleblower

New York mashgiach Robert Frank emails: DEAR MR FORD, ENCLOSED IS A PEST CONTROL REPORT AND A INVOICE SHOWING NON KOSHER CANDY FOR MONTEFIORE HOSPITAL AT 1825 EASTCHESTER RD BRONX, NY. 10461. THE INFESTATION REPORT SHOWS 100 ROACHES, WHICH OF … Continue reading

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Montefiore Hospital Whistleblower Advised To Hire A Bodyguard

New York mashgiach Robert Frank calls me Thursday evening. “Some of the workers said I should hire a bodyguard. People here are going to kill you if we get fired and they close the place down. Not direct threats. One … Continue reading

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Is The Purpose Of Religion To Aggrandize Yourself Or To Serve God?

That’s the question I think about when I look at Jewish Los Angeles. When the Orthodox Union puts its hashgacha (kosher certification) on toilet bowl cleanser and water, is that just for making money or is there a divine reason … Continue reading

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New York Mashgiach Robert Frank Says He’s Received Death Threats

Last week, mashgiach Robert Frank told me that the Orthodox Union, in his experience, was indifferent to kashrut supervision. They were just in it for the money. Monday evening, Robert calls. "I think the Orthodox Union is getting pretty nervous," … Continue reading

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How Did Kashrut Become So Sexy?

Twenty years ago, if you met a mashgiach, you assumed he was not smart enough to be a rabbi. Working in kashrut certification was a low-paying, unprestigious job. Now it is a power center. It is a money-maker. The RCC … Continue reading

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New York Mashgiach Says Orthodox Union Only Interested In Making Money, Not In Policing Kashrut

According to Wikipedia: "In Judaism, a Mashgiach (Hebrew: ?????, pl. ???????, mashgichim) is a person who supervises the kashrut status of a kosher establishment." Thursday evening, Robert Frank, a New York mashgiach, emailed me: "Dear Mr. Ford, I would like … Continue reading

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