Shechita ‘shock’: Rift ensues after licensing bodies launch new products

A major rift has developed between kosher licensing bodies in London after the Federation of Synagogues launched a new range of products.

The Federation, a union of Orthodox shuls, together with the United Synagogue and the Spanish and Portuguese Jews’ Congregation, comprises the London Board of Shechita.

Benjamin Mire, the Board’s president, said he was “shocked” after the Federation launched a new range of mehadrin (meat requiring a stricter degree of supervision), adding that it could cause confusion and imply that the quality of the hechsher is in some way sub-standard.

However, the Federation said it was simply catering for the needs of people not currently served by the Board, with legal adviser David Rosen adding: “British Jewry should embrace diversity.”