June 8, 2004
Learning From the Experts in the
Classroom and in the Field:
OU
to Offer Two Summer Programs
of Intensive Education for
Those Who Give Kosher Certification, and
for Those Who Would Like to
Do So
The Orthodox Union, the world's largest kosher
certification agency, once again this summer is offering programs of
intensive kosher (kashrut) education to rabbis, rabbinical students and
other qualified applicants. The
advanced seminars, part of
the continuing "ASK OU" series and divided between text study and
fieldwork, will include a one-week session and a more intensive
three-week internship. The program, now in its seventh year, has drawn
participants from all over the United States and around the world.
The one-week seminar will run from Monday, August 2 through Friday,
August 6. Places remain open for this seminar; there is an application
fee of $75. The internship program, which will run from Wednesday, July
28 through Tuesday, August 17, has already reached its capacity of 16
students, each of whom will receive a $300 stipend from the OU.
According to ASK OU Director Rabbi Yosef Grossman, "The seminars will
enable students to be on the cutting edge of modern day kosher food
technology, both by going behind the scenes at OU Kosher and by
attending classes given by the OU's experts. The seminars will operate
on two levels: for those who certify establishments in their communities
and wish to increase their understanding of the intricacies of Jewish
kosher law; and for those planning to enter the service full time, for
whom these sessions will be part of their career preparation."
Consequently, requirements differ for the two programs. The one-week
session is open to congregational rabbis, advanced rabbinical (semicha)
students, participants in a kollel (advanced Torah study program for
married students), or a member of a community Vaad HaKashrut
organization, which certifies food establishments in its area.
The three-week internship, given its career emphasis, consists only of
advanced rabbinical students or kollel participants.
In past years, students have not only come from throughout the United
States but from a variety of countries, including Israel, the former
Yugoslavia, Italy, France, Argentina, Holland -- even Hong Kong. Some
students, Rabbi Grossman reports, have taken the one-week program
multiple times.
Program faculty includes Rabbi Menachem Genack, the head of OU Kosher;
Rabbis Hershel Schachter and Yisroel Belsky, consultants on Jewish law
to OU Kosher; and OU Kosher Division rabbis specializing in ingredients,
dairy, fish, meat, different kinds of food establishments (such as pizza
parlors) and other aspects of the intricate world of kosher
certification.
Besides attending the lectures, participants will accompany senior OU
rabbinic field representatives to different sites, including the kitchen
at an OU-certified restaurant, a meat processing facility under the
supervision of the OU, and an OU certified factory, among other
locations.
Rabbi Grossman notes that past participants in the three-week program
now work for the OU and even competing kosher certification agencies.
"Completing the program does not guarantee a job, but it certainly is an
asset in a job search. The purpose is to enhance kosher certification
all over," he explained.
To apply for the one-week program, contact Rabbi Grossman at (212)
613-8212, (914) 391-9470, or at
grossman@ou.org.
The Orthodox Union, now in its second century of service to the Jewish
community of North America and beyond, is a world leader in community
and synagogue services, adult education, youth work through NCSY,
political action through the IPA, and advocacy for persons with
disabilities through Yachad and Our Way. Its kosher supervision label,
the  ,
is the world’s most recognized kosher symbol and can be found on over
275,000 products manufactured in 68 countries around the globe.
www.ou.org
Comments?
Requests? Questions?
Orthodox Union
Department of Communications and
Marketing
David Olivestone
Director
Stephen Steiner
Director of Public Relations
Main Office:
11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004
Phone:
212.613.8318
Fax: 212-613-0763
E-mail:
steiners@ou.org |
media@ou.org |
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