Kosher Australia

Kosher Australia is the largest Australian based kosher certification agency. As of 2018 they had certified over 500 companies both in Australia and abroad.^[1] It was initially called Mizrachi Kashrut, followed by Melbourne Kashrut before becoming Kosher Australia in 2004.^[2]

History[edit]

Kosher Australia began in 1968 when Rabbi Baruch Abaranok, the then rabbi of the Mizrachi organisation in Melbourne, started providing supervision to local community caterers. A team of volunteer community members investigated companies for kosher compliance and by 1976, annual kosher guides were made available to the kosher community.^[3] Over the years it has expanded to employ a number of staff^[4] and is recognised internationally by other kosher authorities.^[5] The rabbi responsible for the organisation's policies is Mordechai Gutnick, who also sits on the Melbourne Beth Din.

Controversies[edit]

Kosher food in Australia has come under attack as a part of the alt-right's attack on halal food, led by MP Pauline Hanson. It has been part of investigations in Parliament, although there have been no ramifications for the kosher industry yet.^[6] There have also been a number of attacks on kosher slaughter, and the community has stood up to defend itself.^[7][8]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Kosher Australia Website
• Travellers' Guide