Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide

Appendix A – More Kashrut Details
Because there is a range of kashrut observance among Conservative Jews and each
Conservative synagogue sets its own policies, it is important to clarify the Conservative
movement’s position and describe some of the practices typical of early childhood
programs in Conservative synagogues.
1) Gelatin – Gelatin is made from processed animal bones; it is used in many
processed foods, including Jell-O, some puddings, many yogurts, Frosted Mini-
Wheats, marshmallows, and Pop-Tarts. Often products that contain gelatin bear a
“K” as the hechsher symbol on the package, and sometimes the gelatin is listed as
“Kosher Gelatin” in the ingredients. Dr. Isaac Klein, in his responsa on “The
Kashrut of Gelatin” (1969) and “The Kashrut of Cheeses” (1970) argued that
gelatin ceases to be food as it is processed, and does not affect the kashrut of the
food product. Some Conservative rabbis agree, while others maintain that some
gelatin is not kosher. Therefore, it is important to check this with your
congregation’s rabbi before you set a policy about gelatin. This is important to
remember at all times. Even when these foods are being used not as food but in
other activities – for example, marshmallows in the sensory table - children might
end up eating them.
2) Cochineal – Sometimes called “carmine” when it is used as an ingredient in some
food products, this red dye is derived from the shell of the cochineal insect.
Because insects are considered not to be kosher, you must be careful when you
buy items that contain carmine. Be sure to check with your rabbi; some consider
carmine a kashrut problem and others do not.
3) Cheese and Rennet – “The Conservative movement permits the eating of
American-made cheese without a hekhsher, although there are movement
authorities who do require certification.” (http://uscj.org/Kashrut5091.html)
Rennet, which can be made from the lining of animal stomachs, often is used to
curdle cheese. Because rennet contains an animal byproduct it could be
considered as meat, which would cause a problem if it were used to make cheese.
Moreover, often the stomach lining comes from an animal that has not been
slaughtered in a way that would make its meat kosher. Similar to the issue with
gelatin, some Conservative rabbis, scholars, and leaders have decided that it is
acceptable to use rennet to make cheese because by the time the animal stomach
lining has been treated by chemicals, acids, and dehydration, it is no longer food.
(Klein, 1970). Today, most rennet is made from genetically engineered bacteria,
and the major brands have hechsherim. Still, it is important to check with your
rabbi. Most early childhood programs in Conservative synagogues buy cheese
that has a hechsher from a reliable kashrut organization, thus avoiding cheese
with rennet made from animal by-products.
4) Bagels and baked goods – Some synagogues buy bagels and other baked goods
from bakeries that do not serve or process meat but do not have official kashrut
Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide
Maxine Segal Handelman
USCJ Department of Education
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