When I first ventured into the world of vegetarianism (although now I am more of a pescatarian) one of my friends (a non-jew btw) asked how it was different from a kosher diet as it seems to be based on similar principles of respect from where the food comes from. Being that I am a simple "holiday jew" from Oklahoma, I was embarrassed by my inability to answer this in a fully informed way, so when I read about the recent rise of the eco-kosher movement on Grist, alas my questions would be answered. Evidently an entire movement is mobilizing through such sites as The Jew and The Carrot that features the intersection between Jews, food and contemporary life. According to Grist:
Its followers seek nourishment that not only adheres to traditional Jewish dietary laws, but is also local, organic, sustainable, and humane. Eager to make eco-kosher eating as easy as possible, a group of Conservative Jews is drawing up a label for packaged kosher foods to let consumers know when they are supporting a processor with a transparent business model, respect for animals and the earth, and fair treatment for employees. While only about 15 percent of the 5.2 million Jews in the U.S. keep strict kosher, surveys show that less than a quarter of shoppers who choose kosher items are observant Jews. The $225 billion segment encompasses about 100,000 items, so the new label could have a big impact.
The original article from the Washington Post describes the seal in further detail:
The Conservative seal of approval will not be based on traditional kosher requirements, such as separating meat from dairy products, avoiding pork and shellfish, and slaughtering animals with a sharp knife across the throat. Rather, the Conservative hechsher tzedek, Hebrew for "justice certification," will attest that a particular food was produced at a plant that meets ethical norms in six areas: fair wages and benefits, health and safety, training, corporate transparency, animal welfare, and environmental impact.
Whether driven by ethics, religion or physical aesthetics it is good to see the two movements coming together and synthestizing complementary philosophies. And at the end of the day it is about the basic core values of understanding the relationship of the food we eat to our environment and cultivating that relationship to further enhance a respect that extends to our personal, environmental, and spiritual health. Can I get an Amen!
Check out the full article here.
