Is Starbucks Kosher?

For those who are not familiar, the CRC has declared that drinking starbucks coffee has new issues with regards to kashrus (as seen below). You can listen to Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz from YU discuss the issue in great detail here. Part of the kashrus issue seems to stem from the fact that many were under the impression  that Starbucks was using soap when cleaning various utensils. Once it was discovered that soap was not being used, the trouble ensued. According to other blogs the OU seems to have a difference of opinion. Bottom line: ask your local Rabbi.

Releasing Pollard and more news....

Here is a quick rundown of happenings in the Jewish world:

Yale researchers may have discovered a more effective and less costly treatment for Gaucher disease — a rare disorder most common in the Ashkenazi Jewish populace.

Members of the Israeli Knesset parliament are requesting that President Obama release Jonathan Pollard.

The Debate in Israel over the Kollel Stipend continues.

Jews in the UK are dealing with a kosher meat shortage.

Esquire features a story:  A Terrorist Almost Bombed My Synagogue.

NYC Jewish museum is featuring "Houdini: Art and Magic," which opens Friday at The Jewish Museum, tells the story of an impoverished son of Jewish immigrants who harnessed the power of the mass media, and the emerging technologies of film and photography, to become one of the 20th century's most famous performers.

Looking for Kosher products? There is an app for that! CRC releases Kosher 1.0.

Whiskey Alert: CRC brings forth concerns....

The CRC has put forth a letter from the AKO (associations of Kashrus Organizations) that they are concerned with the kashrus on certain brands of whiskey. This kashrus concern has nothing to do with the ingredients but rather the ownership of the companies. If the owner of the company is Jewish and did not sell his chametz, then the reasoning goes the whiskey becomes chametz she'aver alav pesach ( was owned by a Jew over the passover holiday) and is therefore forbidden. None of the other major Kashrus organizations have jumped on this bandwagon and it remains to be seen if any will. You can view a copy of this letter here.

Kosher Summer: Starbucks Frappuccino®

Well now that summer is here it's out with the iced drinks. It's important when purchasing drinks to make sure they are kosher and not just drink what you may have seen some dude with a yarmulka drinking. Many people are under the impression that Starbucks Frappuccinos are kosher, which they are if purchased in a bottle. Buy one from a store and it's another story entirely. I found a great site that goes through a lot of information:kosherstarbucks.com. For some other information be sure to check out this pdf from the CRC. Kosherstabucks maintains the following:

Frappuccino® is made with the following: base, flavoring, ice. There are two kind of bases, crème base and coffee base. Coffee base is not kosher and Crème base is kosher. Some flavors are made with coffee base by default, and some with creme base by default. We formulated our list based on how the drink is made by default. Therefore, if you request a kosher syrup(see Syrups) and you specificly ask for a creme based Frappuccino® it will be kosher. For example, a creme based Cinnamon Dolce Frappuccino® is kosher even though it's on the "not recommended list" because by default it's made with coffee base. The site goes on to explain it further and is very informative and as always be sure to check with your local Rabbi for confirmation.

Kosher Cat Food: NO JOKE

It's so unusually strange you'd think it's a joke. There are many items out there that perhaps don't need kosher certification but have it but cat food? Evanger's Super Premium Gold Dinners is certifid kosher by the CRC so if you're hungry and all you have is cat food feel free to dig in...um ok..