Kashrut & Catering Guidelines

TBZ has created a kosher kitchen that is sensitive to the needs of our diverse community. Our goal is to keep the system simple and to increase our awareness of being Jewish through the food that we put into our bodies.

Bottom line – our kitchen is milchig. All food will fall within the dairy or pareve categories of halachic kashrut. Foods must either have a hechsher, or contain only ingredients that could qualify for a hechsher. This includes personal food, such as lunch brought in to eat at a meeting.

Wine and Cheese. Only wine used for blessings needs to be kosher. Some cheeses may not need a hechsher.

Baked Goods. As we are surrounded by many quality kosher bakeries, breads, bagels, and pastries musts be obtained only from a kosher bakery; baked at the shul; or baked in your home after you have been certified. Many local supermarkets also have kosher bakeries – just ask them.

Salad Bars, Salad Plates and Fruit Salads. The Whole Foods Market (formerly Bread and Circus) and Shaw’s Market in in our area tell us that they are careful to separate utensils – and that that cutting boards, knives, dishes, etc., that touch meat, chicken or fish never touch vegetables and fruit. Vegetable and fruit platters from these establishments are allowed in the shul; and there may be more options in the future. If you find others, let us know.

Caterers. Caterers need to be kosher. A caterer can bring meat to the shul, provided they do not make the kitchen fleishig (i.e., they can store food in the refrigerator, appropriately wrapped.)

Kosher Course. Reb Moshe periodically teaches a simple, easy-to-follow course in the laws of kashrut, which can seem endless and complex. We hope to both sensitize and educate interested temple members. Reb Moshe’s “Kosher Course” is required for anyone wanting to cook in the shul kitchen, or to bring in food that is not from a certified kosher establishment.

Participants in the the course might include people who:

If you can demonstrate to Reb Moshe that you have proficiency in the laws of kashrut, you may be exempt from the course, at the rabbi’s discretion.

At the end of the course, participants will receive a certificate, and sign an agreement stating their willingness to follow the guidelines.