March 30, 2000

Croutons, Blintzes and Waffles-All Kosher For Passover
Orthodox Union Publishes Annual Guide to Passover Products

Why is this Passover different from all other Passovers? On all other
Passovers, all who were hungry for waffles in the morning, all who craved
croutons with their salads, and all who longed to bite into sumptuous
blintzes for dinner -- were simply out of luck. But for Passover this year,
connoisseurs can consume these and many other delicacies that are now
certified kosher-for-Passover by the Orthodox Union (OU).

"The market for new and exciting kosher-for-Passover foods is hot," said
Rabbi Moshe Elefant, Executive Rabbinic Coordinator of the OU's Kashrut
Department. "From gourmet breakfast foods to favorite snacks, consumers are seeking more variety in their Passover dietary options and companies are ready and willing to supply such products."

For a comprehensive list of Kosher for Passover items -- from applesauce
to Yogurt and everything in-between (including cotton candy, jell-o,
pudding, cosmetics, baby food and even hotels) -- shoppers can turn to the OU's annual Guide to Kosher for Passover Foods. Available free-of-charge in grocery stores and synagogues throughout the U.S., the Guide serves, for many families, as a veritable bible. With the Guide in hand, thousands of Passover observers can easily navigate the complex maze of holiday dietary laws and keep a wealth of practical information about Passover rituals and customs at their finger-tips throughout the preparation process. 

The OU's Kashrut Department -- which publishes the annual Guide -- was
established in 1924, and today certifies more than 80 percent of available
Passover products. Over the past few years especially, the OU has been
instrumental in the launch of many innovative Passover products including
granola style bars, dry cereal, pretzel sticks, and "breaded” fish.

"The introduction of more and more kosher-for-Passover food favorites
makes observing the holiday's extensive dietary restrictions more palatable for all Jews,” said Rabbi Elefant. "Working together with dozens of companies such as Flaum, Frankel's, Kineret, Manischewitz and Rokeach --to name just a few - the OU is proud to continue its tradition of making the observance of Passover easier without compromising our halachic (Jewish legal) standards."

The Guide to Kosher for Passover Foods can be read, downloaded and/or printed from the Union's website at www.ou.org. Those wishing to have a copy mailed to them should send $2.50, with their name and address, to Fran Moss, c/o Orthodox Union, 11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004.

Note to editors: A complimentary copy of the Guide, will be sent to you
the first week in April. If you do not receive your copy, please call 212.613.8221.

The Orthodox Union, now in its second century of service to the Jewish 
community of America and beyond, is the world leader in youth work, advocacy for the disabled, synagogue services, adult education and political action.  Its kosher supervision label, the OU, is the world's most recognized kosher symbol and can be found on nearly 250,000 products in 68 countries around the globe.

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www.ou.org

Comments? Requests? Questions?

Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America Department of Public Relations Sharyn Perlman, Director Main Office: 11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 Phone: 212-613-8321 Fax: 212-564-9058 E-mail: media@ou.org

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