Let’s Talk Kashrus

Kashrus In The Yeshiva Kitchen

In this episode of Let’s Talk Kashrus, Rabbi Meilech Friedman, Rosh HaMashgichim at Tartikov, discusses a critical but often overlooked issue: kashrus in yeshiva and school kitchens. From bishul Yisroel and the separation of milchigs and fleishigs to ingredient verification and proper supervision, he shares firsthand examples of the challenges that can arise when no one is taking responsibility. He also offers a practical suggestion for how parents can help bring about change by simply asking one important question: Does the mosad have hashgachah in its kitchen?

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Buying Jewish & Pas Palter

In the fourth installment of the Let’s Talk Kashrus Q&A series featuring Rav Shmuel Fuerst, Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois, R' Yitzchok Hisiger presents a new set of practical shailos about supporting Jewish-owned businesses. How far should a person go to patronize a Yid when a non-Jewish store offers lower prices or greater convenience? Rav Fuerst discusses the balance between supporting fellow Yidden and the realities of price, convenience, and pas palter, including when it is permissible to purchase non-Jewish baked goods. The discussion concludes with a fa...

Is Your Sukkah Up To Code?

You may be comfortable eating at a restaurant under a reliable hashgachah, but what about eating in its sukkah? In this special Sukkos episode, Rabbi Yosef Fund of the KCL in Lakewood joins R' Yitzchok Hisiger to explore the kashrus of public sukkos. From s’chach and sukkah walls to lavud straps, sukkah construction, and the effects of wind and weather, Rabbi Fund walks us through the practical shailos that can arise in the sukkos we encounter throughout Yom Tov.

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How did Shabbos mode come to be - and what problems was it actually designed to solve? Rabbi Shmuel Katz, Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRc, joins R’ Yitzy Hisiger for a fascinating look at the history, halachic challenges, and ingenious solutions behind the Shabbos modes in today’s appliances.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/a-mode-of-its-own

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What does “Shabbos Mode” actually do—and what doesn’t it do? Rabbi Shmuel Katz, Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRC, joins R’ Yitzy Hisiger for an important discussion about the halachic realities, potential pitfalls, and different types of Shabbos modes found in today’s ovens.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/shabbos-mode-are-you-sure

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Why do some Pepsi products have a K, some a Kof-K, and some no hechsher at all? Can you drink them?

Rabbi Alexander Charlop, Rav Hamachshir for Pepsi, takes us behind the scenes to explain the surprising answers—including how Pepsi's secret formula stays secret while remaining kosher.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/can-you-rely-on-a-k

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Why is there so much more Beis Yosef meat available today? What does "glatt" really mean? And are all glatt and Beis Yosef standards the same? Rabbi Zvi Fishbane - Rosh HaShochtim of the cRc - takes us inside the world of shechita, tracing the evolution of kosher meat standards and explaining what consumers should know.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/how-glatt-is-glatt

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The ABC's of Food Delivery

With recent reports of kosher consumers accidentally receiving food from non-kosher establishments, awareness of proper food-delivery procedures has never been more important. Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger speaks with Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, Kashrus Administrator at the cRc and Executive Director of AKO, about the halachos of chasimos, delivery services, and protecting the integrity of kosher food from restaurant to doorstep. Whether you order through an app or pick up takeout yourself, this episode contains practical guidance every consumer should know.

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On this episode of Let’s Talk Kashrus, Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger is joined by Rabbi Dovi Goldstein, Managing Director of Kosher SA, for a fascinating look into the world of kosher safaris in South Africa. From luxury five-star lodges with sealed kosher kitchens and mashgichim flown in on demand, to self-drive family safari adventures with coolers and portable braais, Rabbi Goldstein explains how travelers can experience the African wilderness without compromising on kashrus. The conversation explores the unique challenges and opportunities involved in certifying safari environments deep in the jungle, far from civilization. Along the way, listeners get an in...

Part 2 of the sous-vide, can it be used on shabbos or yomtov? Rabbi Dovid Cohen - Administrative Rabbinical Coordinator at the cRc, fills us in on potential shabbos issues with using a sous-vide.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/sous-vide-bath-a-shabbos-path

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Sous-vide Bath: A Kosher Path?

Continuing the technology series, we are moving on to the sous-vide and the halachik challenges that arise with it. Rabbi Dovid Cohen - Administrative Rabbinical Coordinator at the cRc, fills us in on potential kashrus issues with a sous-vide.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/sous-vide-bath-a-kosher-path

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Glass Half Kashered

Today's interview focuses on a problem that many people face when kashering for Pesach. New-age technology = new-age problems. How do you kasher glass stovetops? Can they be kashered at all? What about induction stovetops? Let's hear what Rabbi Dovid Cohen - Administrative Rabbinical Coordinator at the cRc has to say on this timely topic.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/glass-half-kashered

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Part 3 of our Q&A series with Rav Shmuel Fuerst Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois to answer some of the recent questions that came in to us at Let's Talk Kashrus. This week's Q&A focuses on some hilchos shabbos issues.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/l-t-k-q-a-shabbos-shailos

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So you booked a beautiful Airbnb… now what?

In this episode of Let’s Talk Kashrus, Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO, walks us through the practical halachic realities of using an Airbnb kitchen. From stovetops and ovens to microwaves, Keurigs, sinks, and even barbecues — what can you use, what needs kashering, and what should you avoid altogether?

Whether you're traveling for vacation, Yom Tov, or business, this Airbnb Survival Guide gives clear, practical guidance to help you stay kosher...

We have discussed party planners in the past, but this week we focus on another angle. Rabbi Yaakov Eisenbach - Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRc gives us the mashgiach's perspective of giving a hechsher to an event that is being run by a party planner, and the complexities it entails.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/the-party-planner-puzzle

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Part 2 of our Q&A series with Rav Shmuel Fuerst Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois to answer some of the recent questions that came in to us at Let's Talk Kashrus. This week's Q&A focuses on common dining related issues.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/l-t-k-q-a-dining-dilemmas

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When Out Of Town

When traveling to small towns that have local hechsherim, how does one go about finding out if they can rely on that hechsher? Rabbi Yaakov Eisenbach - Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRc, gives us some guidance on this topic.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/food-for-thought

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Kashrus Complication

Oftentimes at high end resorts, these statements can be heard. "The chef knows kosher", or "I'm only getting fish in a brand-new pan", or "The resort has a separate kosher kitchen". Unfortunately, these statements are becoming more and more common, but it really boils down to just 1 question says Rabbi Sholom Tendler - Kashrus Administrator at the STAR-K, "Is there a mashgiach?" Are we really going to trust non-Jewish staff about kashrus now? Who ensures the pots and pans in the separate kitchen, stay separate? Let's educate ourselves about the myriad potential...

The Beer Balagan

So much confusion in the air regarding the recent news about beer. Is it kosher? Does it need a hechsher? Is this relevant to everyone? Do I need to stock up on beer before January 1st, 2026? We interviewed Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO, to find out exactly what is going on with the beer. Let's listen in to this insightful conversation.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/breaking-brews

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Kosher Breakfast Hacks

So, you're on vacation and the hotel has a free continental breakfast. What can you eat? What must be avoided? Rabbi Sholom Tendler - Kashrus Administrator at the STAR-K gives us some seasoned travel hacks for our next vacation.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/suite-dreams

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Kashrus In The Clouds

What’s really in that vape? Join us as we explore the surprising kashrus questions behind e-cigarettes — from flavorings and glycerin to halachic principles that meet modern technology. Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO clears up some of the fog behind this very important topic.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/holy-e-smokes

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Is it possible that all milk isn't kosher? This week we revisit one of the most controversial questions of its time. Rabbi Yosef Landa - Rabbinic Coordinator at cRc Kosher walks us through all the details of this fascinating question.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/holy-cow-or-holey-cow

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Many questions are sent in to us on various kashrus issues. This week we sit down with Rav Shmuel Fuerst Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois so he can answer some of the questions. This week's Q&A focuses on common kitchen mishaps and other kashrus in the kitchen questions

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/l-t-k-q-a-kitchen-mishaps

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Supply Chain Rifts

What happens when supply chains get disrupted? How about when ingredients need to be replaced due to skyrocketing costs? What about when certain items are banned by the government? These and other questions addressed by Rabbi Moshe Machuca - Rabbinic Field Representative for the OU, in this weeks episode.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/kosher-shifts

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Do you know what goes on behind the scenes for mashgichim that need to travel to every corner of the earth to ensure your products are kosher? Let's listen in to Rabbi Moshe Machuca - Rabbinic Field Representative for the OU, as he explains the hardships of traveling to places that aren't exactly accommodating to members of the faith.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/tales-of-a-traveling-mashgiach

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Kashrus Fables

A behind the scenes look into the massive industry of private labels and how it affects the kosher consumer. Also, highlighting the power of the consumer in regard to online buying, Rabbi Dov Chastain - Kashrus Administrator at the KOF-K, has some tips what you should do if something you bought online doesn't have the symbol that was advertised in the online pictures.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/private-labels

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Being a good mashgiach, sometimes involves a bit more than just knowing Yoreh Deah. This week when many minds are on the churban already, Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO, gives us an example involving not having wine and live music at the same meal.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/the-mashgiach-who-didn-t-miss-a-beat

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After last week's introduction to the mesorah of birds, let's dive right in to some practical halachik applications. R' Chaim Loike - Rabbinic Coordinator at OU Kosher, brought in some live birds to demonstrate for us these applications.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/quail-tales-and-egg-fails

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Let's take a trip back in time exploring the mesorah of birds. R' Chaim Loike - Rabbinic Coordinator at OU Kosher, made it his life's mission to ensure that certain birds don't lose their mesorah. Let's take a look at the various birds he's brought in today to share with us.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/live-birds-ancient-traditions

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Not Anymore!

Introducing a revolutionary new app! A game changer for the industry of kashrus. Have you ever seen an unfamiliar kashrus symbol and werent sure if you can rely on it? With over 1500 kashrus agencies worldwide, it can be quite the task of finding out their reliability. Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO, introduces to us the all-new logo scanner feature in the new cRc Kosher app, available on the app store.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app...

Look At the Leibel

Can you rely on a kosher symbol you see online? Sometimes you buy something online, but the product has a different packaging when it arrives at your door. Rabbi Binyamin Berkowitz - Kashrus Administrator at the KOF-K gives us the rundown on what to look out for.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/be-like-leibel

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Is It Fowl Play?

Have you been noticing more blood spots lately? Let’s get the real scoop what’s going on lately with the eggs together with Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/shell-shocked-by-egg-flation

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Post-Pesach Shopping Secrets

Where can I buy chometz? Where is it problematic? Rabbi Yakov Teichman - Rabbinic Coordinator at the OK, gives us the full scoop.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/shelf-awareness

Download the AKO post-pesach list below, or at https://www.akokosher.org/pesach

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Just Yet…

Many people won't sell chometz gamur. Does that mean i need to throw out a closed bottle of ketchup? Rabbi Yakov Teichman - Rabbinic Coordinator at the OK, helps us decipher those hard to read ingredient panels.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/don-t-toss-that-sauce

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Labeled In China

Part 2 of our travels to China with Rabbi Binyamin Berkowitz - Kashrus Administrator at the KOF-K, focuses on the labeling aspect of Chinese products.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/wok-smarter-not-harder

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Soy Many Questions

Today we travel to China with Rabbi Binyamin Berkowitz - Kashrus Administrator at the KOF-K. Come along as we explore the process of certifying factories in China.

View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/made-in-china

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R’ Moshe Feinstein’s teshuva on Cholov Stam in America is by far one of the more famous of his. Yet, Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO, points out that there are many side benefits of being makpid on cholov yisroel besides for the actual Halacha shaila.

View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/don-t-cry-over-cholov-stam-milk

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What can be wrong with canned corn? All the ingredients are kosher. Let's listen to Rabbi Mordechai Stareshefsky a Rabbinic Coordinator at the OU as he explains some potential issues with the most basic food items. This serves as a reminder why one should always ensure that there is a good hechsher on everything they buy.

View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/kosher-can-treife-plan

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What Are The Facts?

That shiny coating that can be found on anything from jellybeans to fruit to hard-wood flooring. What is it made of? Is it Kosher? Let's listen in to a fascinating (and slightly discomforting) discussion about Shellac otherwise known as confectioners glaze, with Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO.

View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/shellac-on-snacks

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Lab-Grown vs. Nature

Today's topic is very futuristic. Cultured meat, clean meat, lab-grown meat... Let's get a behind-the-scenes peek at this topic which is still in the theoretical stages. Rabbi Mordechai Stareshefsky is a Rabbinic Coordinator at the OU. 

View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/meat-the-future

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