Fall 2016

Dear Reader, The days of Elul and the Aseres Yemei Teshuva are times designated to make a cheshbon hanefesh, a stock taking of our spiritual accomplishments and the areas which still need improvement. Some things are easy for us to … Continued

This is Dovid’l (David) from the Bronx who works at OK certified Thanksgiving Coffee, wrapping Tefillin for the first time, with mashgiach Rabbi Mendel Wolvovsky.       Now might just be a great time to go kosher!  A new … Continued

Dear Kosher Spirit, During the Aseres Yemei Teshuva, most people are more careful to consume only Pas Yisroel baked goods. I’ve been wondering, do granola and granola bars need to be Pas Yisroel? Rabbi Hanoka responds: First, let me explain … Continued

It’s Minhag Yisroel to eat a sweet apple dipped in honey on Rosh Hashanah, and many have the custom to make a variety of sweet apple dishes during the month of Tishrei.* Vinegar is an essential household product, with dozens … Continued

Hearts of palm come from the center (or heart) of the palm tree. Palm trees can grow for 50-75 years and produce a variety of fruit, such as dates and coconuts, and other less widely used varietals. The fruit usually … Continued

This is a healthier version of my favorite pecan, chocolate, and raspberry rugelach recipe. Feel free to substitute other flavors of jam and other nuts to make this recipe your own. Prepare the dough a day in advance, as it … Continued

A Conversation with Terressentia Corporation CEO – Earl Hewlette By Pamela Graham Anderson Earl Hewlette is the CEO of the South Carolina based Terressentia Corporation. Since 2007, Hewlette has been instrumental in the growth of the innovative technology company. The … Continued

Producing insect-free food products is one of the most challenging issues for kosher organizations. The main problem is the unique halachic status of insects and bugs. Bugs and insects are different, according to Rabbi Ahron Haskel, Director of OK Israel. They are … Continued

On the west coast of Africa, a six hour flight from Johannesburg, in a world where modern day technology and where even less modern inventions, like a post office, are impossible to come by, lies the city of Accra, Ghana. … Continued

L’chaim, anyone? Kosher consumers have long enjoyed a l’chaim after shul, to commemorate a yarzheit, to celebrate simchos, or just to relax at home. Whether it’s a glass of wine, a bit of schnapps, or a lowball glass of whiskey … Continued

KS: Where did you grow up? Where did you go to yeshiva? AT: I grew up in Petach Tikva, which is a large city with a very diverse population: Chassidish, Chabad, Litvak, Mizrahi, Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Yemenite, etc. All the communities … Continued

At the end of the month of Tishrei, congregations around the world will read Parshas Bereishis, which is first portion in the cycle of Torah readings and filled with teachings relevant for a new year. This parsha contains the first … Continued

It’s interesting to note that on Hoshana Raba we change a word in the reading of the Torah portion of the day. On the other days of Sukkos we say “kamishpot” (as prescribed/like the decree) but on Hoshana Raba we … Continued