Rabbi Yosef Feldman resigns from Rabbinical Council
Rabbi Yosef Feldman who recently gave a Hechsher to catering company Amaze in Taste which has been unable to come to terms with the Kashruth Authority, has resigned from the NSW Rabbinical Council.
Rabbi Yosef Feldman
In a letter distributed to pertinent religious leaders, Rabi Feldman said: “In response to a Statement from the KA containing an unsubstantiated and misleading attack against myself personally, I do not see it as dignified or of benefit to the community or the Rabbinate for me to respond publicly to the false allegations levelled against me.
I will also not publicly cast aspersions on the Rabbinical Council leadership for its conduct in this matter. Rather, I have chosen to resign from the RCNSW. In resigning, I join a large number of senior members of the Council (including a former President, Rabbi Moshe Gutnick) who have resigned in the past in protest at the direction of the Council or its leadership at a given time.
I do not believe that my further involvement with the RCNSW at this time and under its current leadership will be helpful or constructive for the community or the Rabbinate until the Kashrut issue is resolved.
I am pleased to announce that as a result of my giving a Hechsher to AIT the Kashrut standard in NSW has actually improved, including at the KA. The Rabbinate are aware of the relevant details.
I would like to reiterate publicly that I do support one communal Hashgachah and am willing to immediately withdraw my Hechsher in favour of the KA, as soon as the KA has a suitable and wide-based lay leadership and Rabbinic Governance structure, reflecting its original purpose when the Sydney Beth Din Kashrut merged with the Yeshiva Kashrut and formed the KA.
I am prepared to talk with any Rabbi or communal leader that would like to assist in resolving this issue. I hope that with goodwill and sensibility this matter can be resolved in an amicable and positive way, for the ultimate benefit of our community.”
Rabbi Feldman told J-Wire that his resignation from the Rabbinical Council of NSW of which he is a former president does not affect the Hechsher issued to Amaze in Taste.
Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, the Senior Dayan of the Sydney Beth Din and president of the Rabbinical Council of New South Wales, told J-Wire: “It is the view of the vast majority present , including Representatives of the JCA and Board Of Deputies, that Rabbi Feldman was given the opportunity to present his case. The vote of 18 to 3 expressed the sentiment of the Rabbinate that for him to continue his supervision would be counterproductive. The resignation pre-empted a RC meeting in which his actions would be discussed.
The vote also clearly indicates that there is no confusion in the Rabbinate as a whole. The RCNSW is clear that it wants one Kashrut for NSW and has full confidence in Halachic expertise of the KA which together with the Sydney Beth Din enjoy international recognition of the highest standing.”
Baron Revelman, president of the Kashruth Authority, added: “Whilst The KA has no official statement on Rabbi Yossi Feldman’s resignation from the RCNSW, we wish to record the following;
