metro »

Kosher Crusader

His mission is to share news of local
deals and food items.

Esther Allweiss Ingber | Contributing Writer

S

L’Shanah Tovah!

May you be inscribed
in the book of life
for a good year!

From your friends at Tapper’s

SOMERSET COLLECTION | ORCHARD MALL | TWELVE OAKS MALL

2126070

22 September 29 • 2016

haring and posting news on
Remanufacturing, a leader in remanu-
Facebook about kosher items
factured automotive electrical products.
and deals in Metro Detroit
Tobin retired from that business about
brings a smile to Aaron Tobin, aka the
two years ago.
“Kosher Crusader.”
An Oak Park resident since
“I have the talent of walk-
the late 1990s, Tobin typically
ing into a store and finding
davens at Congregation Shomer
kosher food items, especially
Israel, also known as the Avtzen
at unusual places, like dol-
Shul, on Vernon Street.
lar stores,” said Tobin, 55,
The Kosher Crusader has
of Oak Park. He’s often
additional interests. At age 9,
informed store managers
after taking a riflery class at
about food items on their
a Jewish camp in Petoskey,
shelves carrying a hechsher Aaron Tobin finds
he received a marksman
symbol, which signifies rab- Brian’s kosher
medal and certificate from
binical certification of items calzones at a 7-11.
the National Rifle Association.
adhering to a required
Tobin teaches gun-safety class-
kashrut standard. His kosher discoveries
es, showing newbies “how to handle guns
have included crumpets at Trader Joe’s
before touching them.”
and premium chocolates at Bed Bath and
Since 2015, Tobin has led the Oak Park
Beyond.
EZ Roll, a free group bike ride. As many
Tobin’s authority for acceptable hech-
as 200 bicyclists depart at 7 p.m. Tuesdays
shers is a list compiled by the Chicago
from the Oak Park Public Library’s park-
Rabbinical Council (www.crcweb.org/
ing lot. Tobin posts each route in advance
listsandlinks.php). “A plain K is not
on Facebook and also video following the
enough unless I know who’s behind it,”
rides.
he said.
“Retired” from local politics after two
Tobin grew up in a kosher-observant
unsuccessful runs for office, Tobin co-
Conservative home within walking dis-
leads Save the Oak Park JCC — another
tance of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in
cause dear to the eligible bachelor’s heart.
Southfield.
Still, his Kosher Crusader gig might be
His mother, Diana “Blondie” Tobin,
the most satisfying: “I like to show people
born in Lithuania, sold produce at the
that keeping kosher is not difficult.”
Ferry-Chene Market while raising five
Go to Facebook to find Tobin’s Kosher Crusader
children with her Detroit-born husband,
Morton. He and his now-deceased broth- and Oak Park EZ Roll Rides pages.
er, Harold, co-owned United Auto Parts
Prudent Purchasing
in Roseville.
Tobin and Diane Laker, a part-time
“My parents laid the foundation for
teacher at Yeshivas Darchei Torah in
my Jewish observance by example,”
Southfield, offered these tips for kosher
Tobin said.
eating during the Jewish holiday
A graduate of Hillel Day School in
season.
Farmington Hills and Southfield-Lathrup
• Plan menus ahead of time, including
High School, he majored in communica-
seasonal fruits, vegetables and other
tions at Michigan State University.
items.
Tobin was among 30 students invited
• Watch for sales on key ingredients,
to a leadership training seminar, co-
such as honey for Rosh Hashanah.
sponsored by the Israeli government, at
• Visit Amazon.com for home-delivered
the Jerusalem-based Orthodox yeshivah,
kosher food.
Ohr Somayach.
• Place an advance holiday order with
“I became 100 percent observant,”
KC Kosher Food Co-op in Kansas City
said Tobin, who founded MSU’s Jewish
(www.kckoshercoop.com).
Student Union. He and his friend, the
• One Stop Kosher Market
late Daniel Barg, organized the universi-
(248-569-5000) in Southfield is a
ty’s first Shabbaton weekend with kosher
given for local shopping, but kosher
food at Hillel House.
products are also found at name-
Tobin studied five years at Ohr
brand stores, such as Costco, Meijer,
Somayach following his 1984 MSU
Kroger, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.
graduation and another five working
• For convenience, local kosher caterers
in computers and networks in Monsey,
offer full carryout holiday menus.
N.Y. Returning home, he turned his
Check online or view ads in the JN.
family’s failing business into Global

*

