kosher slaughter

Katharina von Schnurbein speaks at a European Jewish Congress event in Vienna, in this undated photo. (Courtesy)

Interview

How the EU antisemitism warrior became a defender of kosher slaughter, circumcision

The bloc’s point person for fighting Jew-hatred, Katharina von Schnurbein, is an influential advocate for Jewish customs many consider controversial in Europe

June 26, 2023, 9:23 am

How the EU antisemitism warrior became a defender of kosher slaughter, circumcision

The bloc’s point person for fighting Jew-hatred, Katharina von Schnurbein, is an influential advocate for Jewish customs many consider controversial in Europe

By Canaan Lidor

The 12 graduates of a program to train kosher slaughterers in Ethiopia so the Jewish community can have regular access to kosher meat, along with a rabbi from Israel who works with the community (center), in November 2022. (Ohr Torah Stone)

November 30, 2022, 3:28 pm

12 men trained in Ethiopia as kosher meat slaughterers in first for the country

Until now Jews in Ethiopia could only get kosher meat around the holidays when ‘shochtim’ would be flown in; a recent initiative by a Modern Orthodox group worked to change that

By Judah Ari Gross

A rabbi checks the quality of poultry meat in a kosher slaughterhouse in Csengele, Hungary on January 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Laszlo Balogh)

November 16, 2022, 3:13 am

Romania passes ‘landmark law’ guaranteeing right to kosher slaughter

Conference of European Rabbis hails legislation as a model for other European countries amid battle over ritual killing of animals on continent

By MARCEL GASCÓN BARBERÁ

US Deputy Special Envoy to Combat and Monitor Antisemitism Aaron Keyak, right, meets with Western Wall Chief Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch in the latter's office in Jerusalem on October 6, 2022. (US State Department)

October 30, 2022, 3:31 am

In Israel, US monitor defends pressing government on ‘antisemitism’ at Western Wall

Antisemitism envoy Aaron Keyak says Jerusalem understands Washington wanting to keep Jews safe at prayer; tells ToI Kanye comments are fair game for office, but not Trump’s

By Judah Ari Gross

Illustrative: An Orthodox rabbi checks the quality of poultry meat in a Kosher slaughterhouse in Csengele, Hungary on January 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Laszlo Balogh)

June 18, 2022, 3:08 am

Belgian lawmakers ditch bill to ban kosher and halal slaughter in Brussels

Local parliament votes to scrap proposal, keeping Belgium’s capital as the only part of the country where ritual slaughter is still legal

By Cnaan Liphshiz

Illustrative: Staff work on the production line of Kosher poultry meat in a Kosher slaughterhouse in Csengele, Hungary on Jan. 15, 2021 (AP Photo/Laszlo Balogh)

April 15, 2022, 3:03 pm

Fears Le Pen could ban ritual slaughter unite French Jews, Muslims

Far-right presidential candidate says animals should be stunned to reduce suffering, which is incompatible with kosher and halal rules

By John Leicester

Rabbi Jacob Werchow presents geese slaughtered by his team in Csengele, Hungary on September 29, 2021. (Cnaan Liphshiz/ JTA)

December 22, 2021, 11:03 am

Hungary leads Europe in kosher foie gras production — to Viktor Orban’s advantage

During the COVID era, Hungarian kosher meat production ramped up. Between the appearance of religious tolerance and the many jobs created, there’s a net gain for the government

By Cnaan Liphshiz

Rabbis examine the production line at Quality Poultry KFT in Csengele, Hungary, February 2017. (Zsolt Demecs/ via JTA)

June 29, 2021, 4:16 pm

An EU ruling on kosher slaughter tells rabbis how to go about their business

The decision suggests Jews and Muslims find a way to make electronic stunning of animals consistent with religious law — despite the fact that it’s prohibited

By Cnaan Liphshiz

Illustrative: A butcher in Jerusalem, April 26, 2010. (Abir Sultan/Flash90)

December 18, 2020, 3:25 am

Israel, Jewish groups blast EU court ruling against kosher and halal slaughter

European Court of Justice says authorities can effectively ban religious ritual slaughter; Israeli Foreign Ministry says decision sends ‘a harsh message to all European Jewry’

By AFP and ToI Staff

Illustrative image of a man preparing meat at a kosher slaughterhouse (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

December 17, 2020, 12:59 pm

EU court rules authorities can ban kosher and halal slaughter in Belgian region

European Jewish groups decry ruling, say it puts ‘animal welfare above… freedom of religion’; Israel: Decision signals to Jewish communities that they aren’t wanted in Europe

By AFP and ToI Staff

Illustrative: Kosher meat slaughtered in Poland bears the symbol of the Warsaw rabbinate. (JTA)

November 7, 2020, 5:27 am

Poland scraps bill barring ritual slaughter, vows to introduce new one

New proposal to be put forward by right-wing government expected to include call for ban on export of kosher, halal meat

By Cnaan Liphshiz

May 26, 2020, 6:57 am

Argentina flying in Israeli rabbis to certify kosher meat despite travel ban

Move indicates Israel’s importance as an export market for Argentinian beef industry

By Marcy Oster

Kosher slaughterers arrive in Hungary on April 20, 2020. (Courtesy EMIH/ Nezer Hakashrut)

May 6, 2020, 4:13 pm

Hungary okays pre-screening to let in slaughterers, avert kosher meat shortage

Community expects to process a million chickens by year’s end, supply other European Jewish centers, as government allows vetted staff from Israel, Belgium to skip quarantine

By Yaakov Schwartz

A cow on a live transport ship lying in filth because extra sawdust could not cope with the hot and humid conditions on board. (From a presentation by Agriculture Ministry veterinarian inspector Dr Lauren Stein at a closed conference held in Europe in mid-June, published by Animals formerly Anonymous for Animal Rights) on June 24, 2019.

June 24, 2019, 5:08 pm

In first, Agriculture Ministry admits to cruel conditions on animal transports

Veterinary inspector says ‘common problems’ include injury and suffocation from overcrowding, high temperatures, poor ventilation

By Sue Surkes

Michael Freilich, center, at a press conference in Antwerp Belgium announcing his entry into politics on January 21 2019. (Courtesy photo via JTA)

May 28, 2019, 7:01 pm

Belgian federal parliament welcomes first Orthodox Jewish lawmaker

Michael Freilich has vowed to work in parliament to reverse a de facto ban on producing halal and kosher meat in much of the country

By JTA