top of page
A Project of cRc Kosher Chicago
Kashrus Awareness Project
Kashrus Alert:
AKO Post-Pesach 2022 Shopping Guide now Available
Video Library
Food For Thought
When Out-Of-Town When traveling to small towns that have local hechsherim, how does one go about finding out if they can rely on that hechsher? Rabbi Yaakov Eisenbach - Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRc, gives us some guidance on this topic. R’ Yitzchok Hisiger: Hello everyone and welcome back to Let's Talk Kashrus presented by the Kashrus Awareness Project. Today I am privileged to be joined by Rabbi Yaakov Eisenbach, rabbinic coordinator for food service at the Chicago Rabb
Kashrus Awareness Staff
Jan 59 min read
Paradise Vacation
Kashrus Complication Oftentimes at high end resorts, these statements can be heard. "The chef knows kosher", or "I'm only getting fish in a brand-new pan", or "The resort has a separate kosher kitchen". Unfortunately, these statements are becoming more and more common, but it really boils down to just 1 question says Rabbi Sholom Tendler - Kashrus Administrator at the STAR-K, "Is there a mashgiach?" Are we really going to trust non-Jewish staff about kashrus now? Who ensures
Kashrus Awareness Staff
Dec 20, 20256 min read
Breaking Brews!
The Beer Balagan So much confusion in the air regarding the recent news about beer. Is it kosher? Does it need a hechsher? Is this relevant to everyone? Do I need to stock up on beer before January 1st, 2026? We interviewed Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO, to find out exactly what is going on with the beer. Let's listen in to this insightful conversation. R’ Yitzchok Hisiger: Hello everyone and wel
Kashrus Awareness Staff
Dec 2, 202513 min read
Shavuos Articles
Halls of Torah and Tefillah... and Kashrus
“The kiddush will be held in Rabbi Cohen’s shul, so I’m sure everything is fine.” Although Rabbi Cohen is the Mara d’Asra, there is a good chance he is uninvolved in the kashrus of the simchah hall associated with the shul. For several years, Rabbi Sholem Yehudah Fishbane, executive director of Association of Kashrus Organizations (AKO) and kashrus administrator for Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc), has been working with his associates to develop a protocol for shuls to ensur
Kashrus Awareness Staff
Aug 27, 20259 min read
Keeping Camp Kitchens Kosher - Preparing a Plan
Over 1,000 meals are served daily in the average Jewish summer camp. For two months, breakfast, lunch and supper are cooked, baked and doled out for campers, staff and their families. The menu includes milchigs, fleishigs and pareve. “Even the busiest restaurant or caterer rarely faces an operation as complex as running a summer camp,” says Rabbi Sholom Chaim Tendler of Star-K. “The sheer volume of food, with changes from a dairy breakfast to a meat supper, is daunting. Keepi
Kashrus Awareness Staff
Aug 27, 202512 min read
Educating Yeshivos and Bais Yaakovs - Keeping the Kitchens Kosher
Keeping the Kitchens Kosher “It was learned in the Beis Medrash of Rabi Yishmael: Sin obstructs the heart of man, as it is written, ‘V’lo sitamu bahem, v’nitmeisem bam — Do not defile yourself with them lest you become defiled through them’ (Vayikra 11:43). Do not read it ‘v’nitmeisem,’ but rather [read it] ‘v’nitamtem — and you will become obstructed’” (Yoma 39a). The Ramban and others explain that this is mainly referring to the prohibition of eating forbidden foods, which
Kashrus Awareness Staff
Aug 27, 202510 min read
Useful Downloads
Food For Thought
When Out-Of-Town When traveling to small towns that have local hechsherim, how does one go about finding out if they can rely on that hechsher? Rabbi Yaakov Eisenbach - Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRc, gives us some guidance on this topic. R’ Yitzchok Hisiger: Hello everyone and welcome back to Let's Talk Kashrus presented by the Kashrus Awareness Project. Today I am privileged to be joined by Rabbi Yaakov Eisenbach, rabbinic coordinator for food service at the Chicago Rabb
Kashrus Awareness Staff
Jan 5
Paradise Vacation
Kashrus Complication Oftentimes at high end resorts, these statements can be heard. "The chef knows kosher", or "I'm only getting fish in a brand-new pan", or "The resort has a separate kosher kitchen". Unfortunately, these statements are becoming more and more common, but it really boils down to just 1 question says Rabbi Sholom Tendler - Kashrus Administrator at the STAR-K, "Is there a mashgiach?" Are we really going to trust non-Jewish staff about kashrus now? Who ensures
Kashrus Awareness Staff
Dec 20, 2025
Breaking Brews!
The Beer Balagan So much confusion in the air regarding the recent news about beer. Is it kosher? Does it need a hechsher? Is this relevant to everyone? Do I need to stock up on beer before January 1st, 2026? We interviewed Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO, to find out exactly what is going on with the beer. Let's listen in to this insightful conversation. R’ Yitzchok Hisiger: Hello everyone and wel
Kashrus Awareness Staff
Dec 2, 2025
Kashrus Resources
Following is a growing list of online resources available to kosher consumers. To add to the list l'zikui Harabim, please email: info@kashrusawareness.com
Shelf Awareness
Post-Pesach Shopping Secrets Where can I buy chometz? Where is it problematic? Rabbi Yakov Teichman - Rabbinic Coordinator at the OK,...
Apr 18, 2025
Kashrus Apps
Sign up for any of these free kosher apps from leading kashrus agencies worldwide Kashrus Apps
Apr 10, 2022
Kashrus Alerts
Sign up for any of these free kosher alerts from leading kashrus agencies worldwide Kashrus Alerts
Apr 10, 2022
bottom of page