Last week, the Ramada Hotel in Yerushalayim hosted the annual OU Kashrus Conference, an event that has grown into one of the most prominent gatherings in the global kashrus world. The event drew hundreds of mashgichim from across the globe, as well as leading kashrus professionals and some of the most esteemed gedolei Torah and poskim, who came together for in-depth discussions on timely and complex halachic issues in kashrus.
Among the those gedolim in attendance were the senior halachic authorities of the OU’s kashrus operations, including Rav Mordechai Gross and Rav Asher Weiss. They were joined by other prominent rabbonim, including Rav Dovid Cohen, Rosh Yeshivas Chevron and member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Degel HaTorah; Rav Dovid Feinstein, Rosh Yeshivas Beis Yehuda; and Israel’s Chief Rabbis, Rishon LeTzion Rav Dovid Yosef and Chief Rabbi Rav Kalman Bar. Many other respected rabbonim, dayanim, and halachic experts from both Eretz Yisroel and abroad participated as well. Also in attendance were public officials, including Deputy Minister of Agriculture Rav Moshe Abutbul.
A major highlight of the conference was a panel discussion featuring the heads of several major kashrus organizations. Moderated by Rav Rafael Manat, Rav of the Osem food conglomerate, the panel included Rav Yosef Efrati, Rav Tzvi Weber of Badatz She’eiris Yisroel, Rav Menachem Genack, head of the OU Kashrus division, Rav Moshe Elefant, CEO of OU Kosher, and Rav Gavriel Papenheim, director of the Badatz Eidah HaChareidis kashrus division.
Rav Papenheim delivered high praise for the OU’s work, stating: “There is no organization that brings merit to the public like the OU, which is the largest kashrus body in the world. It is reliable, transparent, and unwavering.” He added that the OU “paved the way for kashrus organizations to access ingredient manufacturing facilities worldwide,” and expressed the hope that all kashrus agencies would adopt the same high standards.
Rav Yosef Efrati highlighted the OU’s pivotal role in strengthening mitzvos hateluyos ba’aretz, agricultural mitzvos unique to Eretz Yisroel. Rav Tzvi Weber praised the agency’s steadfast commitment to halacha, stressing the importance of strict and uncompromising supervision.
Rav Menachem Genack presented an overview of the OU’s massive global operations, sharing that the organization supervises over 14,000 facilities in 104 countries. In Eretz Yisroel alone, the OU oversees kashrus at more than 200 major production plants.
The Israeli OU division is headed by Rav Yissachar Dov Krakowski.
A central theme throughout the event was the OU’s deep connection to the guidance of gedolei haposkim in Eretz Yisroel—particularly Rav Mordechai Gross and Rav Asher Weiss—with whom they consult regularly. A special video shiur and Q&A session with Rav Gross was screened during the conference, addressing intricate halachic challenges encountered by kashrus professionals.
In his remarks, Rav Asher Weiss underscored the gravity of the role that mashgichim carry: “Kashrus supervisors shoulder a tremendous responsibility. They cannot afford to grow weary. Kashrus is one of the cornerstones of our holy Torah.”
Rav Dovid Cohen emphasized the existential importance of kashrus, stating, “It is not merely about questions of issur and heter. Kashrus is a foundation of the Jewish People’s identity.”
Rav Moshe Elefant, CEO of OU Kosher, spoke about the importance of independence and integrity in kashrus supervision. “A strong kashrus system is one that knows how to say ‘no,’” he declared. “In my thirty years working with the OU kashrus division, never once did anyone succeed in interfering with our halachic decisions.”

{Matzav.com Israel}