Rabbi Chaim Loike
Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth

In a special presentation recorded on Tzom Gedaliah [10/2/08] at Yeshiva University in New York, Rabbi Chaim Loike elucidates how we confirm the kosher status of a bird. Rabbi Loike is not only a Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kashruth: he is also an ordained shochet (ritual slaughterer) with vast expertise in this area. This seminar is richly illustrated and truly edifying. It even has an intoductory section about Kaparos. Don’t miss this “egg”-cellent chance to learn! Click here to download the source sheet.

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Rabbi Nachum Rabinowitz
Senior Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth

In this special VIDEO edition of Kosher Tidbits, you’ll be brought behind-the-scenes at one of the most complicated areas of kosher supervision: wine-making. Our host is Rabbi Nachum Rabinowitz, a Senior Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kashruth possessing vast expertise in this crucial area. Rabbi Rabinowitz uses lavish and rare graphics as he clearly elucidates all that goes into kosher wine production. You’ll surely be im”press”ed by “vat” what you see!

And for an in-depth examination of the halachos of kosher wine, click here to listen to the audio shiur, “Kosher Wine: What do the Rabbis Let us Put in Decanters?,” by Rabbi Hershel Schachter.

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Rabbi Chaim Loike
Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth

A bird is kosher if…it has fins and scales? It chews its cud? A rabbi blessed it? Well, how do we know that a bird is kosher? Join Rabbi Chaim Loike, a Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kashruth who has special expertise in the kashrus of birds, for a fascinating discussion of how we identify kosher birds. There’s a lot more to it than translating Biblical verses! Tune in and you’ll want to come “beak” for more!

If you want more information about identifying kosher birds, make sure to get “Kosher Birds: Who Are They?,” a DVD featuring Rabbi Loike - and live birds! This is one of four educational DVD’s released by the Orthodox Union. The series also includes presentations about meat and fish, and a youth primer on kosher certification. For details on procuring the DVD’s, contact Rabbi Eliyahu Safran at .

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Rabbi Chaim Loike
Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth

What if a new bird came along - could we determine if it was kosher? How would we do it? Join Rabbi Chaim Loike, a Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kashruth who has special expertise in the kashrus of birds, for a look at the interplay of halacha and history. What happened long ago when two new birds were introduced into Europe: did Jews eat them? Why or why not? Don’t miss this look back in time and deeper into Torah.

If you want more information about identifying kosher birds, make sure to get “Kosher Birds: Who Are They?,” a DVD featuring Rabbi Loike - and live birds! This is one of four educational DVD’s released by the Orthodox Union. The series also includes presentations about meat and fish, and a youth primer on kosher certification. For details on procuring the DVD’s, contact Rabbi Eliyahu Safran at .

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Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer
Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth

In a clear, concise, and thorough presentation, Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer, a Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kashruth possessing broad knowledge of the dairy industry, provides us with a day-to-day guide to buying dairy products. Join him as he examines the full gamut of milk-derived foods, and answers such questions as: Does OU-D mean Chalav Yisrael? What’s the plain truth about plain milk? What about chocolate milk and buttermilk? Do cartons or aseptic (“long-life”) boxes contain kashrus hazards? You’ll agree that this comprehensive guide is invaluable.If you have questions or comments for Rabbi Gordimer please send them to:

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Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer
Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth

In Part II of his masterful guide to purchasing dairy products, Rabbi Gordimer discusses such issues as: Is half-and-half totally kosher? Have kashrus issues grown up around infant formula? Does yogurt stir up any kashrus issues? What about ice cream? Are sorbets and sherbets surely permitted? Don’t miss this priceless exposition. If you have questions or comments for Rabbi Gordimer please send them to:

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Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer
Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth

In the conclusion of Rabbi Gordimer’s virtuosic seminar, he examines such issues as: Why do non-dairy coffee creamers have OU-Dairy symbols? Is butter anything to get churned up about? Must one run out and get kosher-certified cheese? We guarantee: you’ll come away from this series a better-informed kosher dairy consumer. If you have questions or comments for Rabbi Gordimer please send them to:

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Rabbi Eli Gersten
Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth

Does a medicine chest contain hidden kashrus perils? Join Rabbi Eli Gersten, the Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kashruth charged with recording OU halachic policies, as he explores a range of views on the potential kashrus issues with liquid medicines. Rabbi Gersten discusses such questions as: Does Halacha view medicine as “food”? Is there an halachic difference between adult needs and children’s needs? Is there any need to seek kosher-certified drugs? You’ll see that this topic is nothing to sneeze at! If you have questions or comments for Rabbi Gersten please send them to:

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