INTRODUCTION

The UOS Kashrut Department of the Beth Din of Johannesburg supervises the manufacture of kosher products for consumer, retail, and commercial usage. We oversee hundreds of companies, thousands of products, and tens of thousands of ingredients.

NEW AND OLD COMPANIES

New companies and products are constantly applying for supervision. Despite the decreased number of Jews residing in South Africa, the availability and range of kosher products continues to increase.

A major contributing factor is the “domino effect”; as more and more companies become certified, they in turn require the suppliers of their ingredients to become certified, which in turn results in a numerous new products available, both in the industrial and retail markets.

However, it is important to consider the tough economic times. The effects of the lags within the economy have resulted in many companies either closing down or deciding not to renew their kosher license because of financial considerations. The net result is that the increase mentioned above is happening at a decreasing rate, and the new companies that have applied for kosher certification have not resulted in an increase in kosher certified companies in real terms.

RATIONALISATION

In view of the tough economic times, the Kashrut Department has sought to cut costs and increase revenues. These steps have led to reductions in permanent staff, re-alignment of fees, and rationalising the frequency of inspections (without compromise to the standards and levels of kashrut), wherever possible.

OPERATING PROCEDURES

In order to assist with the rationalisation within the Department, there has been an overhaul in terms of operations with the aim of standardisation and clarity of the roles, rules and procedures. This is an on-going process which has resulted in the streamlining of operations, including inspection frequencies, communication with the community and how problems are managed.

NEW SOFTWARE

Over the past few years it has become apparent that the foundation of the Kashrut Department, the computer software used to coordinate and store vital information, requires an overhaul. The current software is over 15 years old and is not able to integrate with the technologies of the new millennium, including the internet. It became a necessity to update the software to one which will better suit our needs and will assist in providing the proper resources for our Kashrut Inspectors and office staff to continue to effectively manage kashrut.

The new software will be used by both the Johannesburg and Cape Town Kashrut Departments. This will assist in avoiding some of the current confusion that exists between the two departments, which essentially are two separate companies. The idea of a “national kashrut” is regularly on the agenda with Cape Town, and in the event that this one day becomes a reality, we will have already laid the groundwork.

LICENSING

The licensing debate remains unresolved, with calls from one side to open up the market and let free trade reign and calls from the other side to recognize the limited number of kosher consumers and not oversaturate the market. However, in the interim the Beth Din has sought the advice of external professionals to understand the effects on the existing kosher market should there be any change of policy. The Kashrut Department is hopeful that this issue will be resolved in the near future.

EVALUATION OF THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICE OF KOSHER CHICKEN

Late in 2009, prompted by concern over the price of kosher chickens, the UOS initiated an independent investigation into the wholesale and retail price of kosher chicken. Two independent experts, Mr Michael Kingston and Mr Michael Peper conducted the investigation over a number of months, and issued their report in June 2010. Their report was widely distributed throughout the community and may be downloaded from uos.co.za/kashrut/priceCommissionFeedback.asp.

PESACH

For the majority of our community, Pesach is an eight day holiday. For the Kashrut Department, it is a nine month exercise. Starting as early as July each year, preparations are made for the manufacture of Matzah and other basic products essential to the industry (e.g. sugar, salt, oil). Orders are placed, kashering is scheduled, inspections are done, supervisors are placed and work begins on the new guide.

Special thanks must be given to the entire Kashrut Department for the tremendous amount of effort and input that they give to this monumental task.

As from 2006, Mosmarks moved there matzah manufacturing to Israel. They continue to supply the community with matzah, whose production is personally overseen by the Rosh Beth Din, Dayan Moshe Kurtstag. Dayan Boruch Rapoport also travels to England to personally oversee shmurah matzah production by Rakusens.

The Kashrut Department is aware that many companies no longer wish to produce for Pesach. We continually endeavour to ensure that the current products available will be produced, and new kosher certified companies are approached and asked to consider producing goods for Pesach, where possible.

In October 2010 a Pesach Seminar was held for all major retailers, manufacturers and establishments involved with Pesach. This was an opportunity for networking purposes, which was met with positive feedback from the attendees.

The feedback from the community was mostly positive, with much gratitude for the work done. There were some areas of concern, mostly regarding the quality of some products, which will be dealt with prior to Pesach next year. The Internal Post-Pesach meeting highlighted some areas that need to be realigned, and this will likewise be dealt with.

CONCLUSION

The Kashrut Department is continually looking for new ways to improve our effectiveness and be of benefit to the community which we serve.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all of the Dayanim, the CEO, as well as the dedicated staff of the Kashrut Department and the UOS.

Rabbi Boruch Talberg
GENERAL MANAGER OF KASHRUT