Union of Orthodox Synagogues

UOS News

Parshat Vaera
Access to Chief Rabbi Goldstein’s commentary on the Parsha of the week will soon be a weekly feature on MyShtetl. In the meantime, we advise Shtetlers to use these links to read or listen to Parshat Vaera on the Chief’s very useful website.

Breakfast updates from the BD
The kashrut department of the Beth Din has issued a kosher update regarding the kashrut status of a list of Bokomo Foods’ breakfast products (mainly the Weet-Bix range) which are all Parev, whether labelled so or not.

Kashrut notice - Tim Tam biscuits
The kashrut department of the Joburg Beth Din today re-issued a notice on Tim Tam biscuits. This is simply a restatement of the status quo, which is quite complex so kosher users are advised to read this notice carefully.

Kashrut Alert – Nestle ice cream
The kashrut department of the Joburg Beth Din issued an important Kashrut Alert this morning informing the kosher community about certain Nestle ice cream products that are not kosher certified.

Message for Chanukah 2011/5772
The Chief Rabbi today released his message for Chanukah. Rabbi Goldstein continues to embrace audio visual technology to aid the impact of his messages.

Beware of yogurt ambushes!
The kosher community have had many new kosher products lately. BEWARE of this one which purports to be kosher. IT’S NOT! “Danone apologises” but no news from the kashrut dept on when the matter will be remedied.

Chief: This Shul is precious to us!
All present were in awe & none will forget their encounter with the Chief Rabbi. He spoke on his love for Joburg, & made the point of how “precious” he & SA Jewry hold a small Shul in Orange Grove called Baal Shem Tov.

UOS clarifies PnP tuna status
UPDATE on the Beth Din notice to the kosher community regarding Hechsherim on PnP Tuna "the OU is not 'Bishul Yisrael' (a stringency required by some people who prefer 'mehadrin') but has no effect on the product's kashrut status.

Kashrut alert on Bestnut - URGENT
The kashrut department of the Joburg Beth Din have just issued a warning on two Bestnut products – which they warn are “no longer certified by the Beth Din with or without the Beth Din Logo.”

Watch out when buying Snapple
A notice issued by the kashrut dept of the Joburg Beth Din warns of the kashrut status of some “Snapple” products being sold in SA. The kosher community are advised to read this to ensure they know which Snapple they are buying.

Finger biscuits are back!
A notice issued by the kashrut department today will warm the cockles of many a Jewish mother’s heart – whether it relates to baby-food or puddings - Bakers Boudoir (Finger) Biscuits are back on the kosher list – and Parev as well!

Beth Din needs volunteers
Here’s your opportunity to join the “Kashrut CSI” team. You will simply carry on doing what you do in your everyday life – but keep an eye out for the kashrut dept & report on certain issues.

Silly them, forgot the Hechsher
The kashrut dept has issued an advisory message regarding Robertson’s, The Spice People, who appear to have printed new packaging and/or labelling and, silly them, they forgot to include a kosher logo. What now? Read on to see…

Good news for kosher travellers!
The Beth Din announced this morning that a range of approved biltong-type snacks are now available to both arriving & departing passengers at ORT Tambo International Airport.

UOS welcomes new communication platform

The UOS has a very active, useful and practical website www.uos.co.za, which is accessed upwards of 4000 times a month by our members, the congregants of the 83 affiliated orthodox Shuls and communities countrywide.

But www.uos.co.za is designed to carry content that is static. UOS on MyShtetl.co.za, however, will be about news. It will be about communicating with our members on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. New-media opens up a whole new level of transparency for the UOS, one that we look forward to embracing.

We at the UOS consider ourselves the premier Jewish organisation in the country, catering to the needs of 95% of the SA Jewish community. As such, the opportunity offered the UOS and its various divisions via MyShtetl.co.za, to communicate with our membership so freely, represents a leap forward in our communication requirements. We have mustered a significant portion of our brains trust towards this end.

Bear with us as we learn. Interact with us. Tell us what you would like to hear more of.

So, welcome to The UOS on MyShtetl.co.za – may this site grow into the world’s best Jewish community website, as it will be serving the world’s best Jewish community outside Israel.

Darren Sevitz, Executive Director, UOS

Eruvs

Our Jewish religious code spells out the Shabbat restrictions. For example, carrying and pushing wheelchairs and prams are only permitted in homes, private gardens and community areas. An Eruv is a boundary recognised by Jewish law, within which these activities are permitted.

Click here to see Eruvs in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Division Shuls

UOS to run course for Gabbaim
Shul’s packed! Barmie boy and his family are there. Groom of a few days is there, and one getting married this week. Visiting Rosh Yeshiva (a Kohen) is in Shul. Shul Chair has Yahrtzeit. Vice-chair (also a Kohen) sponsored the Kiddush. Wife of the Shul President has Yahrtzeit for her mother who was married to a non-Jew. Now What??!!??
UOS to the rescue, of course, that's what!
New 010 phones for the UOS
The Union of Orthodox Synagogues of SA (UOS) has a new telephone number. This has come into effect today and includes the UOS, the Beth Din and Kashrut Department, and the Office of the Chief Rabbi.
Mitvah Club for Plett
The Plett community have started a ‘Mitzvah Club’ every Wednesday and funds raised will go to the local Chev. Any visitors to Plett can contact the Shul at 044 533-4833 or 082 776-0652. Or e-mail to: spdcell@global.co.za.

Kashrut Search

Division: Beth Din Jhb

UOS clarifies PnP tuna status
UPDATE on the Beth Din notice to the kosher community regarding Hechsherim on PnP Tuna "the OU is not 'Bishul Yisrael' (a stringency required by some people who prefer 'mehadrin') but has no effect on the product's kashrut status.
Breakfast updates from the BD
The kashrut department of the Beth Din has issued a kosher update regarding the kashrut status of a list of Bokomo Foods’ breakfast products (mainly the Weet-Bix range) which are all Parev, whether labelled so or not.
Kashrut alert on Bestnut - URGENT
The kashrut department of the Joburg Beth Din have just issued a warning on two Bestnut products – which they warn are “no longer certified by the Beth Din with or without the Beth Din Logo.”
Kashrut notice - Tim Tam biscuits
The kashrut department of the Joburg Beth Din today re-issued a notice on Tim Tam biscuits. This is simply a restatement of the status quo, which is quite complex so kosher users are advised to read this notice carefully.
Watch out when buying Snapple
A notice issued by the kashrut dept of the Joburg Beth Din warns of the kashrut status of some “Snapple” products being sold in SA. The kosher community are advised to read this to ensure they know which Snapple they are buying.

Shuls

Click here to see all Shuls in Southern Africa affiliated with the UOS.

Division: Beth Din Cpt

1time now kosher as promised
1time acted quickly & now have the stamp of approval from the Beth Din.

They may have been kosher all along, but hats off to the BD & 1time for acting so quickly & taking precautions for kosher consumers.
1time promises to fix ‘kosher’ meals
A KASHRUT ALERT was issued today regarding non-kosher meals being served as kosher on 1time flights. Take careful note of this, but we get a sense that the folks at 1time will sort this out very soon. Hold thumbs & stay tuned.
“How was your Pesach?” asks BD
The Kashrut Department of the Joburg Beth is asking the community to he3lp them to make next year’s Pesach better for all of us! Click to send them an e-mail to their hotline and have your say.
Official BD lists of Pesachdik products
Click headline to get the BD's PRODUCTS & MEDICINES list including cosmetics & toiletries & the list of allowed PET FOOD products from the official “UOS 2011/5771 Pesach Guide,” published in association with PnP.
Cheese alert from Cape Town Kosher
Some of the new Fairview Mini Cheese Boards contain some items which are NOT kosher, despite carrying the Beth Din’s Diamond BD Hechsher, warns Cape Town Kosher.

Kosher

Shabbat/Holiday Times

* Information courtesy of Union of Orthodox Synagogues

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