Kosher Policy

 

Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley

Kashrut (Kosher Food) Policy

Last updated: December 8, 2022

The Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley (“JCC”) maintains the following policies regarding the consumption and provision of food in its facilities and programs:

  1. Food that is brought to the JCC for private consumption (including in children’s lunches or as part of a private rental event) may not contain pork or shellfish.
  2. Food is served as part of a program or event that is operated or sponsored by the JCC or another Jewish organization, or is made available for sale by the JCC, shall conform to the following rules:
    1. Products containing pork and shellfish are not permitted.
    2. Mixing of dairy and meat products is not permitted.
    3. Any meat products must be kosher.
  3. Food that is served to children by the JCC in a child care program (Early Childhood Education, JLounge, Vacation Camp, Camp JCC) shall be kosher, containing a hechsher if necessary.
  4. For any program or event in which food is served, the JCC shall properly communicate to participants as to which of the above policies are being utilized, including whether or not the food was prepared by a kosher caterer and/or the event is under rabbinical supervision.
  5. The JCC reserves the right, at its option, to utilize stricter standards of kashrut than what these policies require. The JCC strives to be inclusive, and to promote the education of different approaches to kashrut among its members and in our community.

Commercial Kitchen Policy

  1. The JCC’s commercial kitchen (adjacent to the Kline Auditorium) shall be available for use for JCC programs and rental events.
  2. Use of the commercial kitchen shall adhere to the JCC’s Kashrut Policy, which allows for various kosher and non-kosher food options depending on the user and situation. The commercial kitchen is not regularly under rabbinical supervision.
  3. If rabbinical supervision is requested or required for a rental or event, the JCC shall have the kitchen “kashered” (made kosher) by the proper rabbinical authorities. For paid rental events, no additional fees beyond the JCC’s standard rental fees shall be charged to kasher the kitchen.

The JCC facility, kitchens, and programs are not generally under rabbinical supervision. For more information about our kashrut policy in general or for a specific event, including acceptable hechshers, please contact us.

The JCC of the Lehigh Valley does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The JCC welcomes people from all walks of life. While we look at our program goals and objectives through a Jewish lens, we do not discriminate on the basis of economic, racial, cultural, ethnic, religious, linguistic or physical differences. We are open to all regardless of sexual orientation or political beliefs.

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