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Hekhsher Tzedek

Background:

The Hekhsher Tzedek Campaign is a new initiative to improve the working conditions, treatment of employees, environmental standards, and business practices in kosher food-producing businesses.

By definition, kosher food is in compliance with Jewish dietary and ritual laws. This campaign will bring kosher food into compliance with Jewish ethical law and social justice values.

The campaign – led by Rabbi Morris Allen and the Conservative Movement – will eventually be national in scale. In Minnesota, Jewish Community Action is working with the Conservative Movement to involve and engage the local Jewish community in this sacred project. We need a lot of volunteers! By working together as a community, we will be able to improve the conditions under which kosher food is produced. Jewish Community Action is very excited to work with you and your synagogue to make Hekhsher Tzedek a success in Minnesota.

The Justice Certification:

The Conservative Movement will create a set of standards that will most likely focus on:

  • Wages and Benefits
  • Employee Health, Safety and Training
  • Product Development (incl. treatment of animals)
  • Environmental Impact
  • Corporate Transparency and Integrity

Businesses that adhere to these standards will receive some type of "seal", indicating that the food was produced in just conditions. The Hekhsher Tzedek will not replace existing kosher certification – it will be used in addition to traditional kosher certification. Only food already certified as kosher will be eligible to receive a Hekhsher Tzedek.

Advocating for Justice:

As Jews, we are in a unique position to advocate for improved working conditions, environmental standards and business practices in kosher food-producing businesses.

  • We are the consumers of kosher foods. We are in a great position to help kosher food producers meet the desires of their customers, make their products more attractive to customers, and become more just in their practices. Also, when consumers come together and ask businesses to make change, oftentimes businesses listen.

  • Many Jews view keeping kosher as a means of sanctifying our world. Hekhsher Tzedek is an extension of this value and a concrete way of practicing it.
  • Our tradition teaches us to pursue justice, and to repair the world.

Achieving Justice – Volunteers Needed:

In order to achieve our goal, we will need to demonstrate that kosher consumers are hungry for kosher food that is produced in a just way. We’d love your help! Contact: Melissa Rudnick at Jewish Community Action (651-632-2184, melissa@jewishcommunityaction.org).

 

 

Hekhsher Tzedek Links:

www.hekhshertzedek.org

http://rabbimorrisallen2.blogspot.com

 

Did you know?
Jewish Community Action
has a weekly e-mail
Action Alert.
 Click to sign up!

 

On May 18, Jewish Community Action will participate in a post-performance panel to talk about current efforts within the Jewish community to improve working conditions and to support workers rights, including the emerging Hekhsher Tzedek initiative.

Regional Premiere
The year was 1911, the date March 25th, the time 4:45pm. As the workers of the Triangle Waist Factory hear the bell signaling the end of the workday, there is a shout of "FIRE!" It was the beginning of a blaze that in 30 minutes would kill 146 people. Hear the play by play of events, witness the murder trial that leaves the public hungry for vengeance, and understand the social and political changes that took place as a result of this horrific tragedy.

For more information, please contact visit the theater’s website ( http://www.mnjewishtheatre.org) or contact Melissa Rudnick at Jewish Community Action (Melissa@jewishcommunityaction.org, 651.632.2184).

 
Jewish Community Action
2375 University Avenue West, Suite 150
St. Paul, MN 55114
Phone 651/632-2184  Fax 651/632-2188