Many of my friends wonder what this kosher thing is all about. Some think the beef is better than regular meat, others think some rabbi waves a magic wand to make the meat kosher. Let’s get real. Kosher “meat” (as opposed to dairy; all vegetables are kosher) is pretty simple- there are prescribed birds and proscribed animals. Four legged animals must have a cleft hoof and be ruminants (‘chew their cud’ is the more common term). Fish (anything from the sea) must have fins AND scales. And, there’s a list of birds we can have (chicken, duck, etc.). The animals have to be killed immediately and have their blood drained. Those are the basic rules. There’s action afoot to include some other rules, but, to be honest, I doubt they’ll truly catch on. But, that does not mean there haven’t changes.
A few years ago, when the big meat packing industry giants were gobbling up more firms, one of the big plants that became vacant in Iowa became a kosher slaughterhouse (1987). This Postville facility was pretty controversial- starting with the resentment of the Lutheran residents to the influx of Lubavich adherents. But, the biggest controversy was that Aaron Rubashkin (owner of Agriprocessors, Inc.) hired illegal aliens (a common practice in the meat packing industry), treated his employees inhumanely, sexually abused some employees, and probably violated ritual slaughter rules (KAJ removed its authorization). The Union of Orthodox Rabbis (OU) refused to decertify the plant.
Folks like me got together and attempted to have the plant decertified because its labor practices violated the principles of Judaism. (One of the key requirements is to pay your employees fairly and on-time.) My rabbi (Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld) joined the fray, as did many other Orthodox rabbis. And, the firm was decertified. (Aaron Rubashkin is currently in federal prison for these offenses, too.) This entire escapade was a blot on kashrut (obviously, a non-kosher company, to me). But, that’s not really the subject of this blog.
It was the lead-in to explain how another company works- one that is kosher is many senses of the word. One that has a long history- and is currently being run by a private capital group (Carlyle Group)- which surprises me more, when you see how it operates. Most of these private equity firms run their holdings to the ground, discarding the pieces at great profit. Not this one.
I’m talking about Empire Poultry. This company started operations in 1938 in Liberty, New York (it was named for the Empire State). About 25 years later, the company relocated to Mifflintown, PA. Its plants are still there, but the company headquarters is now in the DC metropolitan area (where Carlyle is based).
Under Carlyle, the firm has become a “green” machine. Not only is its profitability greatly increased (it has been profitable since 2007, a year after Carlyle acquired it), but it is the largest kosher poultry processor in the US. The company controls its entire poultry process- from egg laying to hen breeding to slaughter to truck transportation. A truly integrated entity.
If you look at their website (http://www.empirekosher.com/), besides the term “green kosher”, you’ll see “truly natural”, “socially responsible”, and “strictly kosher”. For what more could I – or any observant Jew- ask? After all, their products are all-natural, free-roaming, antibiotic-free, and vegetarian fed (100%). Well the answer is that the company is unionized with well-documented benefit packages.
You should know that growing chickens is a pretty efficient process of converting grains to protein. (Not like the cattle that I devour for my steaks and ribs.) Which also means that as grain prices have escalated, so have their costs- and so have my food bills.
And, kosher chicken costs more than the other types (at least my friends tell me so). But, like the old commercial, I buy kosher- because I answer to a higher authority. 
Last Friday night marked the beginning of the new month of Nisan, another “new year” of sorts for my religion. The next full moon augurs in the holiday of Pesach (Passover). where we celebrate our freedom as a people. To have been part of that people and enjoy that freedom, we had to mark our doorposts with the blood of a lamb (an Egyptian deity) [which is why we have mezuzot on our doorposts now], clearly identifying us as “other”.
May all those celebrating enjoy a wonderful Pesach. And, as it is commanded, “May all those hungry come to our homes and partake’- of the food, of the comraderie, and of the learning.
A beautiful post, Roy! I’ve often thought of we all observed the laws for kosher food, our entire planet would be better off, worker, animal, and our health. Bravo to you for being a part of getting that other place taken off the list! Not eating meat (except for fish-it is a medical reason why I had to give it up) it is fairly easy for me to eat kosher since all veggies are parve. But I digress, I think most people would only buy kosher if they truly understood the term. There are standards of cleanliness that pertain to the food and the treatment of people, that anyone in their right mind would want in the food they eat. Anyway, I’m not adding to your post…but Chag Pesach Sameach, Roy!
And, a wonderful Pesach to you, as well. Thanks for your comments, Lisa!
Now, I’m speechless. I am a sinner and I cannot judge another, but it hurts me that some people hurt so many others. Yet, just hurting one is evil in itself, even if the only one I hurt is myself. I am a child of God and when I hurt myself or others, I am injuring my father as well.
I am glad you found a Kosher Kosher company.
Ann recently posted..Elle Tait—My Side of the Fence
Yes, Ann, Agriprocessors chose the wrong model (one of the other beef behemoths that vanquished employees). Thankfully, it was one of the few!
Just proves that good sense, strong purpose and values deliver while greed, corruption and bad practices burn in hell (hopefully)
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Well, I don’t have a hell to deal with (other than listening to some of these political speeches or terrible ads on tv)…
But, if one believes in capitalism, one should employ capitalism to eradicate practices one fines abhorrent…
Roy
Roy you are a wonderful advocate of so many things. Thank you for bringing to light and really making me realize the true meaning of Kosher.
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Glad to inform, Lynn! And, thanks for your visit. I appreciate it immensely.
Roy
This was an interesting post about the success of this Kosher poultry company. We eat a limited amount of meat and mostly focus on chicken. My husband and I have really cut back on red meat in our diets.
I also buy “cage-free ~ free roaming” eggs. They cost more but I just like to make a statement for humane treatment of animals. I think the “green” companies will grow and prosper in the coming years.
Janette Fuller recently posted..Book Review: What Really Matters; 7 Lessons for Living from the Stories of the Dying
I think those choices are much easier to find in certain regions of the country, Janette! I admit to not searching for non-kosher (meat, fish, anything) items, but I don’t recall seeing advertisements for these in the local papers – or when I travel.
Glad to hear that you can get those choices easily.
What a beautiful explanation and illustration of the true meaning of kosher. My late husband was Jewish so I am familiar with some of the practices, though Gary had made a choice long before we met not to follow them. What stands out to me is that without integrity the meaning and intention is diminished. Your actions, those of your Rabbi and others who took a stand against the company protected the authentic meaning of kosher. Some things are worth standing up for and this is one of them.
Tambre Leighn/coaching by tambre recently posted..Dreams Into DREAMBEANIES ~ Part 2
Thanks for visiting and commenting, Tambre!
It’s one of the duties of living in a capitalist society- that you USE your money in an attempt to provide better results. (It’s why I wonder why folks don’t see certain companies for what they are. And, why Apple may finally be changing for the better.)
This weekend my friend and I have been talking about Wagyu beef, I like that pic with a deer walking freely there, Every dish came nice with a wine Perfect! the beef looks scrumptious though. Best in the world! It lived up to its expectation.
This was a POULTRY firm…
I have been visiting various blogs for my dissertation study. Our Sanitation program goes above and beyond to prevent food borne illness and to extend your shelf life. I have found your blog to be fairly beneficial. Actually i am a foodist, especially i like meat type food. i suggest new food arranged and Keep updating your blog with useful information.
Glad to be of assistance. And, thanks for your visit, Roger…