Rabbi Wolmark: A positive, if unassuming, determination to encourage kashrut observance.
Vaad, in future "anyone who becomes
affiliated with the Vaad (as an
employee) will be paid directly by the
Vaad," says Wolmark.
The rabbis say the organization
loses money on kosher supervision.
Administrative costs and supervisory
subsidies, they say, are provided
through funds raised by the Vaad's
annual dinner.
By subsidizing supervision costs,
the Vaad hopes to blunt the economic
concerns of the independent kosher
butchers. Faced with competition
from kosher outlets in two Farmer
Jack supermarkets, the independents
fear that rising costs wil put them out
of business.
To lower expenses, the butchers
have requested approval of meat from
wholesalers in neighboring states,
which they claim is cheaper than that
available from Monarch Packing Co.
and Feldman Brothers, the Detroit
wholesalers certified by the Vaad. In
response to these requests, the Vaad
has investigated suppliers in Indiana
and Illinois, which did not, however,
meet its required standards. "But,"
says Wolmark," It's a subject we never
close the door on. We have spoken to
some suppliers recently and will do so
again!'
The Vaad's requirements in this
field, he admits, are extremely exac-
ting. It will not approve a standard
lower than that maintained in the
local slaughterhouses, where "pro-
cedures are slow, meticulous" and
"under very close supervision." The
level of security is "something we are
able to control completely:' he adds,
Pointing out that the resulting high
standards attract Orthodox customers
from all over the country.
As most other kosher foods are
produced elsewhere, "We have to in-
teract with and rely on other
organizations" for Kosher certifica-
tion, Wolmark says. Some products
contain scores of ingredients involv-
ing several different organizations in
their supervision. "But wherever it
comes from, we are ultimately respon-
sible to the community for a product's
security;' he says. Consequently,
checking new (and not so new) items
and keeping an eye open for non-
kosher ingredients which may have
slipped through the net from a major
part of the Detroit office's workload.
Here too, says Wolmark, Detroit's
organization takes a national lead.
Rabbi Broyde's "expert detective
work;' he says, "has brought to light
many weaknesses?' Broyde's findings
are included in the bi-monthly
"KosherGram," published by the
Merkaz and mailed to 20,000
recipients.
Wolmark is optimistic about the
future of national kosher standards.
In his dealings with other organiza-
tions and attendance at professional
conferences, he has noted the general
determination to improve and to "get
on the backs" of recalcitrant or
lackadaisical suppliers. This improve-
ment, the high standards maintain-
ed by the Vaad and the reviving local
interest in kashrut observance make
him even more optimistic about its
future in Detroit.
❑
Rabbi Wolmark with Rabbi Abraham Gardin, maschgiach of Zeman's Bakery.