(Courtesy of OU) In a show of unity, hundreds of kashrut supervisors, senior halachic authorities and representatives from a wide spectrum of Jewish communities—ranging from leading Charedi kashrut experts to rabbinical representatives from the IDF in uniform—gathered in Jerusalem recently for OU Kosher’s annual International Kashrut Conference.
The event brought together participants from across Israel and around the world to discuss current halachic and logistical challenges facing the kosher certification industry, including Rav Asher Weiss, a foremost halachic authority, Rav Dovid Cohen (rosh yeshiva of Yeshivat Chevron), Rabbi Dovid Feinstein (Yeshivat Beit Yehuda), Rishon LeZion Chief Rabbi David Yosef and Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber, Rav Yaakov Shapira (rosh yeshiva of Mercaz HaRav and member of the Chief Rabbinate Council), Chief Rabbi of the IDF Rabbi Chaim Weisberg, and Rabbi Neriya Rosenthal, who serves as the chief of kosher in the IDF.
The diversity of the group, spanning institutional, ideological and geographic boundaries, reflected the increasingly interconnected nature of global kosher supervision.
In the keynote address, Israel’s Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber addressed the packed auditorium about a forthcoming overhaul in the country’s meat import policy. Rabbi Ber shared plans to streamline supervision procedures and reduce the cost of imported kosher meat—reforms that could have significant implications for both consumers and kosher agencies.
“The Chief Rabbinate will rely on kashrut organizations that meet its standards and follow the customs of the Holy Land,” Rabbi Ber said. “The planned change will allow recognized kashrut bodies around the world, such as the OU, to perform halachic slaughter (shechita) for the Israeli market while maintaining halachic standards and local customs, without requiring expensive delegations from the Chief Rabbinate.”
Discussions throughout the event emphasized the complexity of applying Jewish law in a modern, industrialized food system, as well as the need for collaborative problem-solving across communities. “There are very few places where such a wide range of voices in kashrut come together to engage openly on issues of standards, halacha, and policy,” said Rabbi Moshe Elefant, chief operating officer and executive rabbinic coordinator at OU Kosher.
The OU is no stranger to cross-border collaboration in the kosher industry. Among the largest kosher certification companies in the world, with more than 800 field representatives in 105 countries, the worldwide kosher supply chain is heavily reliant on these kosher certifiers who have amassed a list of products and ingredients more than 1.3 million items long. Rabbi Gavriel Pappenheim, executive director of the Badatz-Eidah HaChareidit kashrut committee, recognized the depth and breadth of the OU’s influence on kashrut in his remarks: “No organization benefits the public like the OU, which is the largest kashrut body in the world.” He went on to say, “The OU has paved the way for other kashrut organizations to enter raw ingredient production factories around the world.”
A panel discussion featuring senior figures from Israel’s largest kashrut agencies highlighted shared values—and differences—among organizations. Participants included Rabbi Pappenheim, Rav Tzvi Vebber (posek for Sheerit) and Rav Yosef Efrati, each of whom addressed current industry challenges and praised the opportunity for open dialogue. The discussion was moderated by Rabbi Rafael Menat, rabbi of the Osem food corporation.
While differences in custom and approach remain, the shared commitment to kosher standards and halachic rigor was a unifying force throughout the event. As kosher certification becomes increasingly global and interdependent, participants agreed that broad-based collaboration and mutual respect will be essential for addressing the challenges ahead.
