The June 27 Chronicle printed a column by Rabbi Avi Shafran of Agudath Israel of America. He argues that the Agriprocessors kosher meat processing firm should be presumed innocent until proven guilty with regard to the allegations against it. I agree.
Shafran writes that he has no connection with the plant and has never been there; therefore, to him, the allegations are rumors and hearsay yet to be proven. Same for me, and I’m sure for most of the rest of us.
But what if someone had hired inspectors, stationed them at the plant beginning the day it went kosher, had them on duty every moment it operated, and had them authorized to go anywhere on the premises they wanted? Could that person reasonably claim to be in the dark about anything that might have been amiss?
That is the position of the Orthodox Union, which certifies the plant’s kashrut. OU officials have made it clear that they regard as none of their business any matter not directly related to the dietary laws. Their inspectors have made a policy of seeing and hearing nothing related to safety or workers’ rights.
Incredibly, therefore, the OU claims ignorance and maintains that in spite of its inspectors it is as clueless as everyone else.
The accusations against Agriprocessors remain unproven, but that the OU is unwilling or unable to look beyond the dietary laws is beyond doubt. That’s why we should create an additional kashrut certification that does.
Rabbi Shlomo Levin
Milwaukee
Rabbi Shlomo Levin is spiritual leader of Lake Park Synagogue.
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