The following is from a Jerusalem Kosher News report: As a result of repeated and continuous inquiries into the reliability of grape juice sold in Israel without kosher certification from local rabbinates, a surprise inspection was made by representative of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel Kashrut Enforcement Division, accompanied by Rabbi Yaakov Chaim Klein Shlita, the rav and av beit din of Yesodot (Nachal Sorek area), which is near the area inspected.On location a number of wines and grape juices under the supervision of the Eida Chareidit Sephardi of Jerusalem, Badatz Sheerit Yisrael, Badatz Rabbanut Kraiyot-Ashdod, Badatz Chanichei Yeshivot under the leadership of Gavaad Rabbi Mordechai Gross Shlita and Badatz Beit Hora’ah Mispat Zedek Kisei Rachamim Bnei Brak.
During the surprise inspection we noticed some of the products were outside the winery, without any supervision. Barrels and vats without proper seals and kashrut plombers (chotem b’tok chotem – required double seal) with the exception of one.
Stickers attesting to the kashrut of products were strewn about without supervision as requried. Remains of wafers and other chametz cookies were found about the same area, despite the product claiming to be kosher for Passover year round [as is the case with wines in general].
Found were wines classified as “otzar beit din, regular, some mevushal and some not mevushal. Even more serious is the fact that entry to the facility is almost unhindered.
As such, as well as the fact the winery does not have supervision from a local rabbinate, as required under law, we are therefore informing the public that the Rabbinate assumes no responsibility for the following wines and grape juices.
1. Alexandroni 100% natural grape juice
2. Argamon sweet wine
3. Gefen Naot grape juice
4. Gefen grape juice
5. Gefen HaMelech grape juice
6. Kisei Rachamim grape juice
One is advised to visit the website link provided to see the actual labels of the products mentioned to familiarize oneself with them.
Click here to view Rav Klein’s letter explaining the results of the surprise inspection.
{Matzav.com Newscenter}
Scary.