The Conservative movement: We ‘request’ that you think about not eating Rubashkin products
We're told that a few Conservative rabbis wanted their movement to declare a boycott of Agriprocessors. Instead, the Rabbinical Assembly and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism issued a "request": "that consumers of kosher meat evaluate whether it is appropriate to buy and eat meat products produced by the Rubashkin's label."
Here's the full statement:
"YOU SHALL NOT ABUSE A NEEDYAND DESTITUTE LABORER" Deuteronomy 24:14A Statement by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism And the Rabbinical Assembly Regarding Rubashkin's Meat Products
New York, NY (May 22, 2008) - In response to the continuing disturbing allegations of unacceptable worker conditions at the Agriprocessors plant in Postville, Iowa, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and the Rabbinical Assembly are united in their request that consumers of kosher meat evaluate whether it is appropriate to buy and eat meat products produced by the Rubashkin's label.
Rubashkin's produces kosher meat primarily under the Rubashkin's, Aaron and David label at the Agriprocessors facility. It is a major producer of kosher meat and poultry in the United States. The allegations about the terrible treatment of workers employed by Rubashkin's have shocked and appalled members of the Conservative Movement as well as all people of conscience. As Kashrut seeks to diminish animal suffering and offer a humane method of slaughter, it is bitterly ironic that a plant producing kosher meat be guilty of inflicting any kind of human suffering.
The Rabbinical Assembly and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism will immediately release an advisory to its members and constituents asking them to evaluate whether it is appropriate to consume Rubashkin products until this situation is addressed. This advisory extends not only to products bought on the retail level but to meat and poultry bought at restaurants and for such private functions as weddings and bar mitzvahs.
As the month of Sivan approaches, Jews throughout the world are mindful of the Torah's message of the power of kedushah, holiness as it applies to all aspects of our lives including the ethics of worker treatment and food production. It is hoped that Conservative synagogues, schools and summer camps engage in a study of this important topic in honor of the festival of Shavuot – beginning this year on June 8th – which commemorates the giving of the Torah.
A valuable source for such study is Hekshsher Tzedek Al Pi Din, a paper written by Rabbi Avraham Reisner. It is a companion to the Hekhsher Tzedek Policy Statement and Working Guidelines. The paper is available on the websites of the Rabbinical Assembly (http://www.rabbinicalassembly.org) and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (http://www.uscj.org).
By releasing this advisory, the Conservative movement endorses the vision and guidance of the Hekhsher Tzedek commission. Hekhsher Tzedek is an initiative of the Rabbinical Assembly and United Synagogue that seeks to create an ethical certification process for kosher food. Through its work, Hekhsher Tzedek seeks to strengthen the bond between halakha and social justice.
The reports of unacceptable worker conditions at the Agriprocessors plant demonstrate the pressing need for the sort of ethical oversight which might be provided by Hekhsher Tzedek.
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Agriprocessors,
Conservative Judaism,
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Give me a break! I live in Highland Park, IL and would like to know how many members of the Conservative Synagogues living in my community have checked to see if their Mexican gardeners have proper documentation to live and work in the U.S. (Not one that I know.) The main result of the Rabbinical Assembly and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism putting this business under a cloud, before a properly vetted hearing, is to simply raise the price of keeping kosher. (You reduce supply and keep demand constant = higher prices. Is that your motive? Our maybe those of us that keep Kosher should adopt the common practice of Conservative Jews of not keeping Kosher outside the house.) I visited Postville personally and found that the city was brought back to life and the citizens are truly appreciative of the employment opportunities created by Agriprocessors. I think that you should do more study of this industry before you express an opinion that could cause kind and charitable people like the Rubashkins to move their plant to Mexico and to send the Postville community back to where they will again live in a dead city.
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Meir Eynaim
05/25/08 08:47 AM
It seems that the media has come down on the Conservative Movement for taking a position that was not strong enough for the activists.
The Reform Movement (the Movement of prophetic ethics) has passed off responsibility by stating that this is more the bailiwick of the Conservative Movement. I have not heard at all from the Reconstructionist leadership.
The Orthodox Rabbinate gives the hashgacha and has been, mostly, silent on the subject. They have refused to tie ethical standards to the issue of Kashrut. They are the ones who can bring about immediate change.
So the ONLY denomination to raise the religious connection between ethics and kashrut (the Conservative Movement) gets blasted from all sides.
More steps are needed. More are, hopefully, on the way. Let’s keep in mind that even the government has not yet charged Rabashkin (though some workers have already been hauled into the legal system).
I would also question if a call for an immediate boycott is the right step? Should a rabbi say to the family that has planned a wedding, with Kosher catering in the shul) for next week, that they are out of luck. Next time they may go treif or outside of a shul. Maybe the rabbi would be opening him/herself up to legal action. Steps need to be carefully weighed. I hope the Conservative Movement will do so, and then give a suggested plan of action for its constituent membership and organizations.
But until then let’s stop bashing the ONLY denomination that has spoken out to tie ethical issues to Kashrut rather than making the minutia of halacha the only relevant factor.