HEN HOUSE KOSHER UPDATE — The Vaad HaKashruth sent out an email to its subscribers last week announcing that fresh kosher foods are now in stock at the Hen House Market Deer Creek location at 135th and Metcalf. This follows the temporary closing of the Hen House at 117th and Roe. Kosher offerings will return to the Roe location following the completion of a major remodeling project.
Currently Kosher deli offerings are available at the far left end of the deli counter. Kosher bakery products were expected to be available by Wednesday of this week. According to the Vaad, the majority of the store’s bakery will be under Vaad supervision including bread, bagels, buns, cakes and pies. All kosher products under the Vaad’s supervision will be marked with the Vaad’s kosher symbol. It is important to note that not all bakery items will be kosher, so check for the certification before purchasing.
Hen House Kosher Deli Manager Ben Kopelman was on the job when I stopped in the store last week. Additional shelves of kosher dry goods have been placed close to the regular meat department.
HERITAGE CENTER’S SMART MET CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY — Two well-known speakers — Joel Goldberg and Steve Physioc — will take center stage Tuesday, Jan. 12, as part of SMART Men’s (Sports Minded Adults Reminiscing Together) 10th anniversary. The morning starts at 8:45 a.m. with a complimentary breakfast with the program beginning at 9.
Goldberg and Physioc are both broadcasters for the Kansas City Royals and will discuss the magical run to the World Series that “our boys in blue” had this past season. A Q&A session will follow their talks. Preregister by calling 913-327-8044.
RUDD KANSAN-OF-THE-YEAR — Each year, The Capital-Journal in Topeka selects a Kansan-of-the-Year and several Distinguished Kansans-of-the-Year. This year’s Kansan-of-the-Year is Paul Rudd, who was featured in Jewish Life Magazine a few years back. To qualify for the recognition, nominees must have some tie to Kansas — born here, grew up here, went to school here, worked here, etc…Categories for the Distinguished Kansan recognition vary from year to year, but typically include arts/entertainment, youth, humanitarianism, law enforcement/military, sports, community involvement, science/medicine, education, business or politics/government.
The announcement reads: “Paul Rudd, who grew up in Overland Park and attended the University of Kansas, had one of the top box office hits this year with ‘Ant Man.’ He has appeared in numerous feature films (‘Anchorman,’ ‘Clueless,’ ‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’) and television shows (‘Friends,’ ‘Parks and Recreation,’ ‘Saturday Night Live’) and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 1. He also narrated for the Kansas City Chief’s during the 2007 season of HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ and returns to Kansas City each year to participate in the Big Slick charity fundraiser that benefits Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.” For the full story, visit cjonline.com. The story published Dec. 26, 2015.
FIRST KOSHER CERTIFIED POT TO BE SOLD (JTA) — A New York company is preparing to market what it says is the world’s first kosher-certified marijuana.
The Orthodox Union has certified Vireo Health of New York’s non-smokable medical marijuana products, Vireo announced in a news release Dec. 30. Vireo is one of five medical marijuana providers selected to participate in a New York state medical marijuana program that goes into effect in January; none of the others will be certified kosher.
“Being certified kosher by the OU will not only help us serve the dietary needs of the largest Jewish community in the United States, but also combat unfortunate stigmas associated with medical cannabis,” Vireo CEO Ari Hoffnung said in a statement. “Today’s announcement sends an important message to New Yorkers of all faiths and backgrounds that using medical cannabis to alleviate pain and suffering does not in any way represent an embrace of ‘pot’ culture.”
Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO of the O.U.’s kashrut department, said in a statement that Vireo’s medical cannabis products “were developed to alleviate pain and suffering in accordance with the New York State Compassionate Care Act.”
The statement adds, “Using medical cannabis products recommended by a physician should not be regarded as a ‘chet,’ a sinful act, but rather as a mitzvah, an imperative, a commandment.”
Vireo operates a facility in the upstate town of Perth and will open four retail dispensaries in January, including two in the New York City area.
