January 17 • 2019 17 jn move cattle and livestock around to allow the soil to regenerate and regrow the perennial grasses and greenery the animals need to flourish, ” Kimelman- Bloch said. It’ s an exciting time to be doing this, she notes. “Regenerative agriculture techniques yield a higher grade of beef, meaning it’ s more tender, not as dry. And you don’ t have to add Worchestershire! Chefs love it. ” ETHICAL TREATMENT So, how do Jews wrestle with the wide- spread purchase of kosher meat not certified as higher welfare? And why is the way an animal is killed the defining principle as to whether meat is kosher or not, and not how the animal was treated during its lifetime? Where does the concept of cruelty to animals, or tzaar baalei chayim, a core value in Judaism, come into play? Rabbi Aaron Starr of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield explains that while the laws of kashrut are ancient as prescribed by the Torah and elaborated upon by the rabbis, “in modern times, both because of our desire to uplift the Jewish value of tzaar baalei chayim and some people’ s effort to seek a ‘ reason’ for kashrut separate from preventing intermarriage, notions of ethical kashrut have taken form. ” He adds that “what Hazon defines as animal ‘ welfare’ is exactly the way our ancestors would have treated their animals prior to the industrialization of food production. ” Demands for ethical kashrut, he notes, seek a return to treating animals with dignity as God’ s creatures and to ensure the cleanliness of [the] meat. “The traditional laws of kashrut presume our animals are treated in this way and, therefore, do not stipulate specifically such practices. In the name of health and of tzaar baalei chayim, the time has come for rabbis con- cerned with kashrut to further expand the system’ s laws to perpetuate animal dignity and cleanliness while, at the same time, affirming the business real- ities of the kosher meat industry. ” Hack said, “We recognize that the increased costs for organizations to go kosher, let alone higher welfare, can really be prohibitive. So, if we are able to cover the overages through this grant and educate them on higher welfare, then the hope is that they will eventually pick it up on their own. ” At Hillel, for example, the average monthly budget for meat is about $1,700; to buy higher welfare meat, the cost climbs closer to $3,000 monthly. The Hazon grant covers the extra cost each month. OTHERS STEPPING UP Another Hazon Seal site taking advantage of the Hazon grant is Congregation Shir Tikvah in Troy. Executive Director Lorelei Berg says her organization is getting ready to place its first order for higher welfare eggs and chicken. “This is something that totally aligns with our congregation’ s philosophy, ” she said. “We are warm and welcoming — and we are open and aware of all the decisions we make and how they affect the world. ” Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, Jewish Ferndale and Congregation Shaarey Zedek are also Hazon Seal sites taking advantage of the Hazon grant monies to purchase higher welfare eggs. “Shaarey Zedek serves a weekly Shabbat lunch with egg salad and kugel, feeding a minimum of 200- 400 congregants every Shabbos, ” said Jeri Fishman, congregation president. “If, as the saying goes, we are what we eat, ” Starr said, “then what we eat ought to be healthy and ethical; it ought to be in keeping with God’ s expectations of a life well lived. ” ■ For details about Hazon, its seal of sustain- ability credential or higher welfare purchas- ing, email Brittany Feldman at Brittany. feldman@hazon.org. For a graphic com- paring grain-fed and grass-fed meat, go to bit.ly/2FhqVV7. Higher welfare eggs (Alfresco Eggs by Vital Farms) can be pur- chased at Target and select grocery stores. Rabbi Aaron Starr IMMIGRATION LAW FIRM ANTONE, CASAGRANDE & ADWERS, P.C. Representation in all areas of family and business immigration law. www.antone.com or email at law@antone.com Ph: 248-406-4100 Fax: 248-406-4101 JEFFREY S. PITT N. PETER ANTONE Contact Larry Al l an can’ t enj oy j ewel ry i f i t’ s si tti ng i n your safe deposi t box. Sel l or borrow on i t for i mmedi ate cash. We deal i n j ewel ry, watches, di amonds and coi ns. A Service to Private Owners, Banks & Estates 248-644-8565 Coins & Jewelry NOT T I N G H I L L o f W E S T B L O O M F I E L D AQUATICS THERAPY POOL Notting Hill of West Bloomfield is focused on short-term in-patient rehabilitation, with the goal of transitioning back home. We are happy to announce the opening of our Aquatics Therapy pool. 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