September 21,
2005
Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi
Metzger, On Visit to OU,
Hails Accomplishments of Kashrut Division
in Certification and
Setting Kosher Standards Worldwide
On a visit to the United States,
Rabbi Yona Metzger, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, accepted an
invitation from Rabbi Menachem Genack, Chief Executive Officer of OU
Kashrut, to visit the Kashrut Division and to learn about how it
certifies more than 400,000 products in 83 countries around the world.
Rabbi Metzger was informed that the staff of some 50 rabbinic
coordinators, based at the OU’s New York headquarters, monitors the work
of rabbinic field representatives around the world.
“Rabbi Metzger recognized the OU and its staff for their wonderful
achievements in the certification of products around the world and in
setting standards for kosher certification,” declared Rabbi Genack. “He
urged us to be constantly vigilant regarding anything that can happen in
a factory situation – which of course reflects OU policy in our work.”
In addition, according to Rabbi Moshe Elefant, Chief Operating Officer
of OU Kashrut, “The visit of Rabbi Metzger marks a continuing tradition
of Chief Rabbis visiting OU headquarters and reflects the close working
and cooperative relationships that exist between the Orthodox Union and
the Chief Rabbinate.”
"In our discussion with Rabbi Metzger," added Rabbi Elefant, "we agreed
to strengthen our ties by offering the Chief Rabbinate access to our
database of kosher certified products. Rabbi Metzger was extremely
grateful for this offer.”
After visiting OU headquarters, Rabbi Metzger traveled with Rabbi Genack
to the Empire Kosher Poultry slaughterhouse in Mifflintown, PA, where
Rabbi Metzger was impressed both by the quality of the schochtim (ritual
slaughterers) and mashgichim (the kosher certifiers) and by the
excellent kashrut program in place.
Shown below, Rabbi Metzger addresses the OU staff. From left: Rabbi
Genack, Rabbi Metzger, Rabbi Israel Belsky, Halachic Consultant (Posek)
to OU Kashrut, and Rabbi Moshe Elefant.
* * *
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
400,000 products manufactured in
83 countries around the globe.
www.ou.org
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