The KLBD (Kashrut division of the London Beth Din) recently held its annual Certification Department Conference.  As one of the leading Kashrut agencies in Europe, KLBD supervises raw materials, flavourings, and ingredients – as well as retail food products in factories across the globe.

The conference was attended by Dayanim, Rabbanim, Mashgichim and members of the Head Office team.

KLBD currently certifies over 2,200 factories in over 90 countries around the world and the conference was a unique opportunity for the whole team to share experiences and expertise – especially with the Mashgichim, who, due to their busy globe-trotting schedule, hardly have a chance to meet.

Mr Jonny Wolf, the recently appointed Operations Director opened the day and introduced the team to his vision for taking KLBD to the next level and elaborated on the plans already being worked on to achieve those goals.

Rabbi Jeremy Conway, the recently retired Kashrut Director, gave his divrei brocha to all present, highlighting many amusing examples of his factory visits over the past 36 years. Rabbi Conway then led the assembled in reciting Tehillim for the safe return of the hostages being held in Gaza and for the situation in Eretz Yisroel.

The first session of the day was given by Rabbi Elchonon Spitzer, a veteran in the field of Kashrut.  Rabbi Spitzer shared his experiences when out and about in the field and the assembled learned a thing or two about to the importance of knowing the diverse cultures (not the enzyme-type!) in far-flung countries and how to be tuned in to them.

Rabbi Shimon Black, Rabbinical Coordinator Manager led an invaluable session on the best way to conduct a factory audit, using visual aids to highlight the most important aspects of a factory inspection.

A highlight of the event was a question-and-answer session with Dr Moshe Rosenfeld, Chief Chemist and long-time research consultant at KLBD, who stressed the significance of having good understanding of the local language and technical know‑how of the factories; before, during and after an inspection. Dr Rosenfeld also impressed upon all members of the team how keeping a good rapport, nowadays known as “CRM” (Customer Relationship Management), with a plant manager can be the make or break of Kashrut at a factory.

Rabbi Akiva Osher Padwa, the Director of Certification also spoke about the importance of keeping one’s eyes peeled to any oddity, which could be detrimental to the Kosher status of a product – or even a whole factory.

This was followed by an open forum led by Rabbi Elie Schoemann, newly promoted overall Director of KLBD. Mashgichim were able to present shailos to the team and a lively discussion ensued, which benefited all present with tips and ideas on how to stay on top of the issues concerning Kashrut.

Dayan Menachem Gelley, Rosh Beis Din of the London Beth Din gave an in-depth shiur on the sugya of ’Factories and Ne-emonus’.

Over lunch, Dayan Dovid Shlomo Englander of the London Beth Din gave divrei brocho and chizzuk, based on the teachings of the Chofetz Chaim Ztz”l.

The conference was also addressed by Mr Saul Taylor of Dalkeith Brokerage Ltd, a company that produces some excellent KLBD-certified single malt whiskies, matured in ex-kosher wine-filled barrels under the DS Tayman brand. Mr Taylor expressed appreciation on behalf of the whole community for the sterling work that KLBD does in promoting Kashrut in the United Kingdom and in the rest of the world.

The guest presenter was Dr Martin Harris, who spoke about “How the travelling Mashgiach maintains a healthy lifestyle” which was peppered with amusing anecdotes, vital facts and tips and healthy advice surrounding the topic of looking after one’s health when leading a hectic travelling schedule.

Rabbi Ariel Eisner reported on the status of the implementation of KLBDOnline, the new bespoke online Kashrut management system.

Rabbi Elie Schoeman gave a presentation on the state of Kashrut on both sides of the Atlantic, which has grown in leaps and bounds over the past decade.

The conference was closed by Jonny Wolf, who emphasised the importance of teamwork, where the ‘on the road’ team of Mashgichim work in partnership with the ‘office based’ Head Office team and vice versa, as this is a sure-fire way to improve the level of Kashrut for the whole community.