Kashrut and Kitchen Management

I. GENERAL RULES 

A.  These rules are for the maintenance of kashrut in the kitchen as well as in the entire building. 

          B.  Kashrut rules are to be followed at all times, whether or not a planned event is involved. 

C.  Drinks (e.g. coffee) may not be brought in for personal consumption during events involving food service. At other times, they must be in a disposable cup, follow the heksher guidelines, and may not be in the kitchen at any time. 

D. Any questions should be directed to the Kitchen Committee

II. HEKSHERIM 

A. All standard rabbinic heksherim are acceptable. 

B. Fruits and vegetables should be either fresh or carry a heksher. Canned goods without heksherim may be used if the labels are read carefully and do not contain animal products. 

C. Processed grains and cereal must have a heksher. 

D. Milk and dairy do not need to have a heksher. 

E. Eggs must be opened and inspected before use to ensure no bloodspots. 

F. Fish is either fresh or carries a heksher. 

G. Meat must come from a kosher supplier. 

H. Wine and grape juice for blessings must be kosher. Israeli wines are recommended, but not required. 

I. Any exceptions must be approved by the Rabbi.

III. SPECIAL EVENTS / HOLIDAYS 

A. Planning 

1. The date on the calendar must be approved.

2. Volunteers must be enlisted for both cooking and cleaning. 

3. Events by groups other than Sisterhood Catering or Religious Committee must be approved in advance by the Kitchen Committee.

4. The kitchen is closed for Pesach. Food and paper goods are placed in the Library for Onegs and Kiddushim. 

B. Shopping 

1. Heksherim are required (see Heksherim). 

2. No food may be prepared at homes. 

C. Cooking 

1. On Shabbat, food may be reheated, but not cooked. 

2. Countertop covers must be used. 

3. Proper meat/dairy/parve utensils/pots must be used. 

4. Proper meat/dairy sink must be used

D. Serving

1. Fabric tablecloths may be used. 

2. Plastic tablecloths used for dairy/parve may be wiped and reused; those for meat must be discarded. 

E. Cleaning 

1. All dishes, pots, utensils are to be washed, dried, and put away. 

2. All dry towels, counter covers, tablecloths are to be shaken outside and put in hamper; wet ones hung to dry. 

3. Recycling should be put in proper containers. 

4. All counters, sinks, refrigerator, stovetop and oven, and carts are to be washed; floor swept if needed. 

5. All unused paper/plastic are put away in proper bins. 

F. Arrangements must be made for leftovers at the end of the holiday or event; they cannot remain in the kitchen otherwise. 

IV. WEEKLY/MONTHLY 

A. Oneg 

1. Lights/hot water can be turned on or off as needed. 

2. Food must be parve only (see Heksherim ). 

3. Wine and grape juice must be kosher 

4. No food may be prepared at homes. 

5. The Bnai Mitzvah tablecloth may be used. 

6. Cleaning up 

a. All dishes, pots, utensils are to be washed, dried, and put away. 

b. All dry towels and tablecloths are to be shaken outside and put in hamper; wet ones hung to dry. 

c. Recycling should be put in proper containers. 

d. All counters, sinks, refrigerator, stovetop and oven, and carts are to be washed; floor swept if needed. 

e. All unused paper/plastic are put away in proper bins. 

7. All leftovers should be taken home. 

B. Kiddush 

1. Lights/hot water can be turned on and off as needed. 

2. Food may be dairy or parve (see Heksherim ). 

3. Wine and grape juice must be kosher. 

4. No food may be prepared at homes 

5. The Bnai Mitzvah tablecloth may be used. 

6. Cleaning up 

a. All dishes, pots, utensils are to be washed, dried, and put away. 

b. All dry towels and tablecloths are to be shaken outside and put in hamper; wet ones hung to dry. 

c. Recycling should be put in proper containers. 

d. All counters, sinks, refrigerator, stovetop and oven, and carts are to be washed; floor swept if needed. 

e. All unused paper/plastic are put away in proper bins. 

7. All leftovers should be taken home. 

C. Coffee Klatch 

1. This is a dairy meal (see Heksherim ). 

2. No food may be prepared at homes 

3. If eggs are being prepared, the Bnai Mitzvah tablecloth must be removed. Disposable tablecloths are required for serving, round plastic tablecloths for dining. 

4. Cleaning up 

a. All dishes, pots, utensils are to be washed, dried, and put away. 

b. All dry towels and tablecloths are to be shaken outside and put in hamper; wet ones hung to dry. 

c. Recycling should be put in proper containers. 

d. All counters, sinks, refrigerator, stovetop and oven, and carts are to be washed; floor swept if needed. 

e. All unused paper/plastic are put away in proper bins 

5. All leftovers should be taken home. 

6. The Bnai Mitzvah tablecloth must be replaced. 

IV. POT-LUCK MEALS 

A. As with other events/holidays, the date must be approved on the calendar, and volunteers must be enlisted for cleaning. 

B. The kashrut of any dish brought to a potluck meal cannot, by definition, be assured by Mishkan Torah itself, only by the family providing that dish. 

C. In order to simplify the observance of kashrut, and to include those who observe kashrut more strictly, NO meat dishes of any sort will be permitted. ONLY dairy dishes or parve dishes may be served. 

D. NO dish brought to a potluck meal may be brought into the kitchen (no heating, chilling or washing of any containers brought from home). 

E All commercially prepared foods must carry a heksher. 

F. All service will be on disposable dishes, including plates, cutlery, cups, serving utensils, serving dishes and tablecloths. To simplify preparation and cleanup, it is advised that food be prepared in disposable (i.e. foil or plastic) containers. 

VI. OUTSIDE CATERING 

Any outside catering firm that wishes to use Mishkan Torah, must: 

A. be kosher. 

B. provide a certificate of kashrut in advance. 

C. work under the direct supervision of both one of their managers and of a member of Sisterhood, Religious Committee, or the Kashrut Committee 

Revised 7/17/2009