Sinai continues supplying
for its kosher kitchen.
JILL DAVIDSON SKLAR STAFF WRITER
A
conflict over who actual-
ly oversees the supervision
of Sinai Hospital's kosher
kitchen has Rabbi
Leonard Perlstein a bit peeved.
For years, the Council of Or-
thodox Rabbis of Greater Detroit
(Vaad Harabonim) has listed in
its newsletter, Voice of the Vaad,
that it provides supervision for
the hospital's kosher kitchen.
But Rabbi Perlstein, director
of pastoral care at the Detroit
hospital that affiliated two weeks
ago with the Detroit Medical
Center, said the Vaad has not su-
pervised the kitchen, for decades.
"We have nothing to do with
them," said Rabbi Perlstein, who
acknowledged attending Vaad
meetings in the past but said he
never formally applied to be a
member. "I haven't been to a
meeting in 10 years."
Former Sinai chief executive
officer and president Philip
Schaengold confirmed Rabbi
Perlstein's statement, saying
Sinai had no agreement with the
Although the Vaad does not
provide direct, day-to-day super-
vision, the community standards
are met with Rabbi Perlstein's
its own supervision
supervision, he said. In that case,
"we are more than happy to add
our stamp of supervision," Rab-
bi Goldberg said.
"If we would have felt that
Vaad during his tenure at Sinai there was a problem with his
and had not paid the council for hashgacha (kosher supervision),
we would have done something,"
supervision.
"We provide our own supervi- Rabbi Silberberg added.
According to Detroit Medical
sion with our own rabbinic staff;"
Center's spokesperSon Cheryl
he said.
Rabbi Elimelech Silberberg, a Yurkovich, a task force is cur-
member of the Vaad, said the rently meeting to find ways to in-
Vaad has provided supervision corporate Jewish practices into
at the hospital since the doors of the DMC-affiliated hospitals. In
the hospital opened. In addition, the meantime, the supervision of
he said Rabbi Perlstein is con- Sinai's kitchen will remain under
the guidance of Rabbi Perlstein.
sidered a member of the Vaad.
However, there may be a po-
"We don't have on record his
tential
snafu with the arrange-
resignation," Rabbi Silberberg
said. "We have given him the ment.
Under Michigan law, kosher
right to supervision."
Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, the is defined as being "prepared or
head of kashrus for the Vaad, processed in accordance with Or-
said the hospital has had a long thodox Hebrew religious re-
quirements sanctioned by a
history with the Vaad.
"When the Sinai Hospital recognized Orthodox rabbinical
kashrus was set up, Rabbi (Leit- council."
Lone rabbinic supervision or
er) Levin of blessed memory and
that
without a council was done
Rabbi (Chaskel) Grubner were
very active in setting it up," he away with when the law was re-
said. "Over time, Rabbi Perlstein vised in 1966. If Rabbi Perlstein
took over with the full confidence is not a member of or supervised
by such a group, the hospital is
of the Vaad."
technically in violation of the law.
PHOTO BY GLENN TRIEST
Legally Kosher?
Rabbi Leonard Perlstein and two other rabbis provide supervision
for the Sinai Hospital kosher kitchen.
However, the technicality does
not seem to concern the people
enforcing the law. According to
the regional manager of the
state's Department of Agricul-
ture, having a council is not as
important as providing basic su-
pervision.
"If he is a rabbi and he is pro-
viding supervision, that is good
enough for us," said Karen But-
ler, the regional manager.
"It is very vague and a gray
area of the law," Ms. Butler said.
"We don't have the funds to pur-
sue something like this." ❑
6PITZEIY6
HEBREW BOOK and GIFT CENTER, INC.
Announcing the Arrival of our
Interactive Jewish Music Center!
Now you can actually sample parts of 24 different
tapes and choose the ones you like. In celebration
of this addition, we are offering
ALL CASSETTES AND CD'S
AT 10% OFF Retail Prices!
Offer good until February 28, 1997
Wine Specials of the Month:
Baron Herzog Zinfandel
Reg. $7.49
Sale $5.99
Kedem Grape Juice
50 oz.
z -
4*-)
-
....cm\ I •
- • 'to
„ _
•k
.4 •
...1)1:4v1
286 West Maple • Birmingham
%i-
,
1(4 rri
oN
(810) 540-1977
Mon.-Sat. 10-5:30 • Thurs. 10-9
sale '3.97
Baron Herzog Chenin Blanc
Reg. $6.99
Sale $5.49
Bartenura Asti Spumante
Reg. $13.99 Sale $12.49
Plus S2 Mfr.'s Rebate
AVROHOM PLOTNIK, Owner j
21790 W. 11 Mile Road • Southfield • Harvard Row • 356-6080
OPEN WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHTS UNTIL 7:00
• BLOOM and BLOOM •
• Registered Eledrologists •
By Appointment Only — Ask For Debby
Near 12 Mile Road between Evergreen and Southfield
810 - 559 - 1969