cRc Kosher Certification - Our Blog

A Sticky Rice Situation

By Akiva Niehaus | July 22, 2022

New posting from The Kashrus Awareness Project! Join an insightful conversation between Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger and Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, Director of Kashrus for the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and the Executive Director of AKO, discussing a sticky rice situation that happened at a recent event. See the video by clicking here....

cRc is Proud to Partner with The Kashrus Awareness Project: Let’s Talk Kashrus

By Akiva Niehaus | July 22, 2022

Kashrus used to be at the forefront of everyone’s minds. The scarcity of glatt and mehadrin options made us meticulous hashgacha-checkers, careful to ask before trusting any new product. Today’s explosion of foodie culture, home chefs, party planning, and holiday travel programs have brought about a shift in mentality, where kosher food is so readily...

Liquid Sale – cRc Kosher Visits Buffalo Trace

By Akiva Niehaus | April 28, 2022

“If we’re selling our chometz, it has to be done right, no shortcuts,” says Mark Brown, president and CEO of Sazerac Company, the second-largest spirits company in the US and parent company of Buffalo Trace bourbon. Mark might not strike you as the man responsible for thousands of bottles of some of the best bourbons...

Rabbi Fishbane Featured in Mishpacha Magazine

By Akiva Niehaus | February 8, 2022

The cRc Kosher is proud to announce that Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, our Kashrus Administrator, was featured in Mishpacha Magazine (Issue 897, February 2, 2022). In an article titled, Step Up To The Plate, Rabbi Fishbane bemoans how kosher consumers may not be as vigilant as they need to be. “We’ve come a long way in...

Pesach Guide Almost Done!

By Akiva Niehaus | January 31, 2022

Wondering when we start working on the cRc’s popular annual Pesach Guide? Believe it or not, we start working on it immediately after each Pesach. We discuss what went right and what needs to be fixed. We also plan which feature articles we would like to publish the following year. The work in earnest begins...

Buffalo Trace Releases cRc Kosher Certified Products

By Akiva Niehaus | May 12, 2021

Since ancient times, alcoholic beverages have played an important role in both religious and social life. The use of wine in temple services spanned across many cultures. The local pub was the social center of towns, where events were celebrated, and tales were told. These cultural developments have stayed with us today, although modern palates...

cRc Featured in Whisky Advocate Article

By Akiva Niehaus | April 9, 2021

Passover, which occurs every year in the spring, is an 8-day Jewish holiday celebrating the ancient Hebrew’s exodus from Egypt. During this holiday, Jews are prohibited from owning any leavened products made from 5 grains: wheat, barley, oats, rye and spelt. Every year before Passover, cRc Kosher takes great steps to ensure that Jewish community...

The Jewish World Mourns the Loss of Rabbi Gedaliah Dov Schwartz, Chief Justice of the cRc Rabbinical Court

By Akiva Niehaus | December 10, 2020

The cRc Joins the Chicago Jewish community and world Jewry in mourning the passing of HaRav Gedalia Dov Schwartz, zt”l. Rav Schwartz led the American Jewish community for over sixty years and the Chicago Jewish community for over thirty, serving as the present Rosh Beth Din of the Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc) and as Av...

Kashrus Community Mourns its 2020 Heroes

By Akiva Niehaus | December 3, 2020

From Kosher Today: This was a year of many significant losses of kosher certification personalities with the Covid-19 pandemic claiming many victims. The most recent loss was Rabbi Abe Sharp, longtime Assistant and Business Manager for the Association of Kashrus Organizations and the Chicago Rabbinical Council. He played a major role in organizing many of...

cRc Guides the Community During This Unique Passover Season

By Akiva Niehaus | April 28, 2020

On March 16th, under the guidance of our esteemed Av Beis Din, Rabbi Yona Reiss, and our Board of Directors, the cRc closed its offices due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This presented a unique challenge to us during what can be considered our busiest season. With Passover just a few weeks away, the cRc’s leadership...