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A Project of cRc Kosher Chicago
Kashrus Awareness Project
Video Library
A Mode of its Own
How did Shabbos mode come to be—and what problems was it actually designed to solve? Rabbi Shmuel Katz, Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRc, joins R’ Yitzy Hisiger for a fascinating look at the history, halachic challenges, and ingenious solutions behind the Shabbos modes in today’s appliances. Hello everyone and welcome back to Let's Talk Kashrus, presented by the Chicago Rabbinical Council. Today I am joined by Rabbi Shmuel Katz, Rabbinic Coordinator at the Chicago Rabbinical
Kashrus Awareness Staff
Sep 710 min read
Shabbos Mode: Are You Sure?
What does “Shabbos Mode” actually do—and what doesn’t it do? Rabbi Shmuel Katz, Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRc, joins R’ Yitzy Hisiger for an important discussion about the halachic realities, potential pitfalls, and different types of Shabbos modes found in today’s ovens. Hello and welcome back to Let's Talk Kashrus, presented by the cRC, the Chicago Rabbinical Council. Today I am privileged to be joined by Rabbi Shmuel Katz, rabbinical coordinator at the Chicago Rabbinic
Kashrus Awareness Staff
Aug 2412 min read
CAN You Rely On a K?
Why do some Pepsi products have a K, some a Kof-K, and some no hechsher at all? Can you drink them? Rabbi Alexander Charlop, Rav Hamachshir for Pepsi, takes us behind the scenes to explain the surprising answers—including how Pepsi's secret formula stays secret while remaining kosher. Hello everyone and welcome back to Let's Talk Kashrus presented by the Kashrus Awareness Project in conjunction with the CRC of Chicago. Today I am honored to be joined by Rabbi Alexander Char
Kashrus Awareness Staff
Jul 1310 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
A Mode of its Own
How did Shabbos mode come to be—and what problems was it actually designed to solve? Rabbi Shmuel Katz, Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRc, joins R’ Yitzy Hisiger for a fascinating look at the history, halachic challenges, and ingenious solutions behind the Shabbos modes in today’s appliances. Hello everyone and welcome back to Let's Talk Kashrus, presented by the Chicago Rabbinical Council. Today I am joined by Rabbi Shmuel Katz, Rabbinic Coordinator at the Chicago Rabbinical
Kashrus Awareness Staff
Sep 7
Shabbos Mode: Are You Sure?
What does “Shabbos Mode” actually do—and what doesn’t it do? Rabbi Shmuel Katz, Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRc, joins R’ Yitzy Hisiger for an important discussion about the halachic realities, potential pitfalls, and different types of Shabbos modes found in today’s ovens. Hello and welcome back to Let's Talk Kashrus, presented by the cRC, the Chicago Rabbinical Council. Today I am privileged to be joined by Rabbi Shmuel Katz, rabbinical coordinator at the Chicago Rabbinic
Kashrus Awareness Staff
Aug 24
CAN You Rely On a K?
Why do some Pepsi products have a K, some a Kof-K, and some no hechsher at all? Can you drink them? Rabbi Alexander Charlop, Rav Hamachshir for Pepsi, takes us behind the scenes to explain the surprising answers—including how Pepsi's secret formula stays secret while remaining kosher. Hello everyone and welcome back to Let's Talk Kashrus presented by the Kashrus Awareness Project in conjunction with the CRC of Chicago. Today I am honored to be joined by Rabbi Alexander Char
Kashrus Awareness Staff
Jul 13
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
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