3/20/06 Special JVNA Newsletter - Postville

Shalom everyone,

This special Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA) Online Newsletter considers the recent/renewed controversy about the world’s largest glatt kosher slaughterhouse in Postville, Iowa, due to the US Department of Agriculture report that “Inhumane slaughter was unchecked by [USDA] inspectors.” Please consider using the material in this newsletter to write letters to editors of Jewish publications and for talking points.

It has the following items:

1. Jewish Week Article on the Recent USDA Postville Slaughterhouse Report/My Letter

2. Jewish Telegraphic Agency Article on Recent USDA Postville Slaughterhouse Report

3. Jewish Forward Article on Recent USDA Postville Slaughterhouse Report/My Letter

4. Previous Article and Letters Re the Postville Glatt Kosher Slaughterhouse as Background for Your Letters, Articles, and Talking Points

5. Two Letters in the Jerusalem Post in Response to Israeli Chief Rabbinate Decision to Accept Meat from the Postville Slaughterhouse as Kosher

[Materials in brackets like this [ ] within an article or forwarded message are my editorial notes/comments.]

Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the JVNA, unless otherwise indicated, but may be presented to increase awareness and/or to encourage respectful dialogue. Also, material re conferences, retreats, forums, trips, and other events does not necessarily imply endorsement by JVNA or endorsement of kashrut, Shabbat observances, or any other Jewish observance, but may be presented for informational purposes. Please use e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, and web sites to get further information about any event that you are interested in.

As always, your comments and suggestions are very welcome.

Thanks,
Richard

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1. Jewish Week Article on the Recent USDA Postville Slaughterhouse Report/My Letter

Unkosher Goings-On At Meat Plant
Inhumane slaughter was unchecked by inspectors, federal probe of Iowa kosher slaughterhouse finds.
Stewart Ain - Staff Writer

In a damning report, a federal investigation in late 2004 found that employees of one of the nation's major kosher slaughterhouses "had engaged in acts of inhumane slaughter," [and] that federal inspectors did nothing to stop it and instead accepted gifts of meat from plant employees.

Further, the inspectors were found in their offices playing video games, the report said.

In the course of the probe of AgriProcessors Inc. of Postville, Iowa, by the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a federal inspector at the plant said that in February 2004 he saw rabbis there inspecting turkeys "with fecal matter on them" and then inspecting other turkeys without washing their hands.

"This could cause cross contamination," the report said.

The federal inspector ordered the slaughtering halted until the problem was corrected, but he was overruled and told he "could not interfere with the rabbis." Nevertheless, he told the rabbis to wash after each inspection and the rabbis complied.

The Inspector General's report, dated April 25, 2005, was obtained last week through the Freedom of Information Act by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. PETA placed the report on its Web site. A spokesman for the USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service, Steven Cohen, said the investigation was triggered by a videotape released late last year by PETA that purported to show steers at AgriProcessors walking around after their necks were cut as part of the ritual kosher slaughter, and after workers had pulled out their tracheas with a hook to speed the bleeding.

Several of the animals were videotaped staggering around in a pen with their windpipes dangling. PETA said it took several minutes for some of the animals to collapse and die.

It was the act of pulling out the tracheas with hooks that the federal report said was "inhumane slaughter." The report pointed out that Jewish ritual slaughter - the quick severing of both carotid arteries with a sharp knife, causing the animal to lose consciousness by anemia of the brain - is considered a humane method of slaughter. It added that no other work, such as additional cutting to facilitate bleeding, is to be performed on the animal until it is insensible.

The federal investigation found that no federal inspectors were present in the slaughtering area and that some were in their offices playing computer games - Cohen said that has been corrected.

Cohen also said the "inhumane" treatment of the steer has been stopped and that in the event a steer is not rendered unconscious when its throat is cut, a "stunning device" is used.

The Inspector General's report was sent to the U.S. Attorney's office in Iowa, which declined to file any criminal charges. But Cohen said three of the 10 federal inspectors assigned to the plant were administratively disciplined. One was suspended for 14 days and two others were given letters of reprimand; he declined to say which actions merited which punishment.

But Rabbi Harry Cohen, a kosher supervisor at Eastern Meats in Brooklyn, a distributor of kosher meat, charged that had these violations occurred at one of the five slaughterhouses in New York and Maryland that he had supervised, federal inspectors "would have stopped the kill and closed the slaughterhouse."

He said the Iowa plant's practice of yanking out the trachea had rendered the animals non-kosher because the lungs would have been damaged in the process, and it would have been impossible to properly examine them to determine if they had imperfections that rendered them non-kosher.

AgriProcessors, the country's largest producer of meat certified as glatt kosher, sells meat under the brands Aaron's Best, Rubashkin's and Iowa's Best Beef. Rabbi Cohen said that had the federal inspectors ordered the plant shut, it would have had serious repercussions.

"What would they have done with all the families that depend on the plant" for their livelihood? he asked. "Are you going to close up a whole town? Close them up and you close up the whole country" because they are the nation's largest supplier of kosher meat.

"The whole country depends on them," he said.

A PETA spokesman, Bruce Friedrich, said his organization would like to see the plant open its doors to outside experts to see if conditions have really changed.

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March 19, 2006

Editor, Jewish Week
editor@jewishweek.org

Dear Editor:

Re: “Unkosher Goings-On At Meat Plant: Inhumane slaughter was unchecked by inspectors, federal probe of Iowa kosher slaughterhouse finds” (March 17, 2006 article);

As president of the Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA), I believe that this article should be a wake up call to the Jewish community. Even if improvements at the slaughterhouse are made and Jewish ritual slaughter is carried out perfectly with a minimum of pain, can we ignore the many ways that the widespread production and consumption of animal products contradict basic Jewish teachings.

When Judaism mandates that we treat animals with compassion, animals are raised under cruel conditions on factory farms, where they suffer greatly in cramped, confined spaces without sunlight, fresh air, or opportunities to fulfil their natural instincts. When Judaism stresses that we must diligently protect our health, animal-based diets are major contributors to the epidemic of heart disease, many forms of cancer, and other killer diseases and ailments afflicting the Jewish community and others. When Judaism mandates that we be partners with God in protecting the environment, modern intensive livestock agriculture contributes significantly to air, water, and land pollution, species extinction, deforestation, global climate change, water shortages, and many other environmental threats.

In summary: since Judaism mandates that we diligently guard our health, treat animals with compassion, protect the environment, conserve natural resources, and help hungry people, and animal-based diets and agriculture have negative effects in each of these areas, shouldn’t Jews (and others) seriously consider a switch toward meatless diets?

Very truly yours,
Richard H. Schwartz

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2. Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) Article on Recent USDA Postville Slaughterhouse Report

[Since JTA articles are sent to Jewish weeklies throughout the US and beyond, please check your local Jewish weekly and consider writing a letter in response to any articles. Thanks.]

FOCUS ON ISSUES
Kosher meat plant accepts probe, but PETA calls report a wrist slap
By Peter Ephross
March 15, 2006
feedback@jta.org

NEW YORK, March 15 (JTA) - A kosher slaughtering plant says it has come to terms with a written warning from a U.S. government agency. But the activist group behind the complaints that led the U.S. Department of Agriculture to probe the Agriprocessors plant in Postville, Iowa, isn't satisfied.

A spokesman for Agriprocessors, which received the warning following an investigation into allegations that kosher slaughter rules - and therefore, U.S. law - were being violated at the plant, said the company accepted the probe. "It was fair," Mike Thomas said. "That's the job of the regulator and we respect it."

But People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the animal-rights group that ignited the controversy in 2004 when it sent an undercover person into the plant with a video camera, promises not to let the issue rest. The group vowed to appeal to the U.S. Attorney's Office that declined to prosecute the case, call on the Agriculture Department to fire investigators who failed to enforce kosher standards and intensify calls on the Orthodox Union, which oversees kosher operations at the plant, to allow what PETA calls "legitimate animal welfare experts" into the plant to monitor the process.

"This is the least the O.U. should be doing if it takes its own claims about kosher being humane seriously," a PETA spokesman, Bruce Friedrich, said in a e-mail.

The release of the report reignited an issue that created controversy in the kosher world. Some Jews accused PETA of launching a veiled anti-Semitic campaign intended to suppress religious freedom, while others saw the gruesome video that PETA ran on its Web site as evidence that the plant had violated the humane aspects of kosher slaughter. In its report, which can be found at www.peta.org, the Agriculture Department determined that employees at the plant violated kosher principles. The video obtained by PETA appeared to show cows walking around and looking alive after the killing presumably was completed, and additional cuts made to the animals' tracheas to facilitate bleeding before they were rendered "insensible."

Soon after PETA released the video in 2004, the Orthodox Union said it would no longer allow slaughterers to pull out an animal's trachea to hasten death. Instead, an artery that supplies blood to the brain will be severed on a second cut. Also, the plant now has a stun gun that can be used to make animals insensate if the initial cut does not do so, though this meat is not sold as kosher.

Under Jewish law, an animal cannot be considered kosher if it is stunned before it is killed. The Humane Slaughter Act of 1978 requires stunning, but contains an exception for religious slaughter.

Officials with the Orthodox Union, the largest kosher supervisory organization in the world, refused to comment for the story. The report also criticized federal inspectors for not being vigilant at the plant, noting that some of them played cards in a plant office and others accepted gifts of meat from the plant in violation of the department's policy.

Inspectors "observed the acts of inhumane slaughter and did nothing to stop the practice," the report says.

As a result of the investigation, the Agriculture Department suspended one of its inspectors for 14 days and gave warning letters to two others.

In a letter to Agriprocessors dated Sept. 20, 2005, the department warned that "future violations could result in the matter being referred for legal action," though no such action has occurred.

PETA believes the warning and report should "serve as a wake-up call" to Agriprocessors, Friedrich said.

But Thomas said Agriprocessors has no plans to talk to PETA, let alone comply with any of its demands.

"We view PETA's efforts as an attack on kosher slaughter. They put their political interests before the right to the free practice of religion," Thomas said.

When the news initially made headlines, some members of the kosher community were upset that slaughter at Agriprocessors appeared less humane than they expected.

But that hasn't affected sales, Thomas said - and since the PETA video was made, Agriprocessors has opened another plant, in Nebraska.

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3. Jewish Forward Article on Recent USDA Postville Slaughterhouse Report/My Letter

USDA Slaps Kosher Slaughterhouse
By NATHANIEL POPPER
March 17, 2006

One of the nation's largest kosher slaughterhouses was censured by the United States Department of Agriculture for using inhumane methods in its slaughtering process.

AgriProcessors, a Chabad-Lubavitch-owned slaughterhouse in Postville, Iowa, was criticized in an internal report by the Department of Agriculture and later warned about its methods in a letter from the department. Since then, the procedures in question have been changed.

The slaughterhouse drew attention from the government in 2004 after an animal rights organization released an undercover video showing gruesome footage of cows being killed at the plant. AgriProcessors has faced questions from the Orthodox Union's kosher division and criticism from the Conservative movement's Rabbinical Assembly. The slaughterhouse has made some changes to its operations, but it has defended its old methods as consistent with kosher law - which aims to minimize suffering for the animal, among other things. The newly released report says the company had "engaged in acts of inhumane slaughter."

The internal report, which was written in April 2005 but only released this week, also criticizes the Agriculture Department inspectors who worked at the plant for ignoring the violations. According to the report, inspectors were playing computer games and sleeping on the job. The government decided not to pursue criminal action against AgriProcessors or against the inspectors.

A lawyer who represents AgriProcessors, Nathan Lewin, said the report makes it clear that everything done at the plant was approved by the Agriculture Department until the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals made the video.

"The body of the report has got a lot of stuff that indicates that no one thought that there was anything inhumane," Lewin said. "It's only because it looks bad that PETA is able to exploit it."

AgriProcessors was founded by a group of Lubavitch Hasidim who moved from Brooklyn to northern Iowa in 1987 to revive the meat-packing plant, which had been shut down. Since then, AgriProcessors, which sells under the labels Rubashkin's and Aaron's Best, has become the country's single largest supplier of glatt kosher meat - and the only one that is approved for import into Israel (though Israel currently does not import meat from America because of concerns about mad cow disease).

The slaughterhouse's recent problems began when PETA released its videotape, which was made by an undercover operative at the plant. The tape showed steers limping around the slaughterhouse floor - in some cases for more than a minute after their throats had been slit. The footage that generated the most criticism involved a so-called "trachea rip": The cow's trachea and esophagus were pulled out with a hook while the cow was still walking, in order to enhance bleeding.

A number of ultra-Orthodox agencies have stood by AgriProcessors' methods. Initially the O.U. supported the plant, but then pushed it to eliminate the trachea rip, which the plant did. In cooperation with the O.U. and the Agriculture Department, AgriProcessors also introduced a stun gun that immediately kills animals not rendered unconscious after the first cut. These animals are processed for nonkosher sale.

The director of kosher certification at the O.U., Rabbi Menachem Genack, said his organization has sent an inspector to the Iowa plant every other month since the controversy began. The O.U. is satisfied with the slaughtering process now used by AgriProcessors - although Genack said he still has questions about the rotating pen used at the plant, which turns the animal upside down before its throat is slit. The rotating pen is required for a plant to be certified kosher in Israel, but the O.U. has endorsed the use of a pen that keeps the animal upright.

The rotating pen was also at the center of a letter written last year by the president of the R.A., Rabbi Perry Rank. The assembly had encouraged slaughterhouses to abandon the rotating pen. Rank wrote, "When a company purporting to be kosher violates the prohibition against tza'ar ba'alei hayyim, causing pain to one of God's living creatures, that company must answer to the Jewish community, and ultimately, to God."

A spokesman for AgriProcessors said that the kosher status of the meat never has been in question, but he acknowledged that "every process can be improved. The modifications we made improved the process." The O.U.'s Genack said he was happy with AgriProcessors' response to the O.U.'s concerns. However, he understands why the proceedings have become so emotionally charged.

"Any way of killing animals is not going to be a pretty sight," Genack said. "The notion that this is some sanitized easy procedure – no matter what system is used - it's not. But I'm happy that we changed the procedure."

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March 19, 2006

Editor, the Forward
Letters@forward.com

Dear Editor:

As president of the Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA), I believe that your article. “USDA Slaps Kosher Slaughterhouse,” which discusses the United States Department of Agriculture censure of the nation’s largest glatt kosher slaughterhouse in Postville, Iowa “for using inhumane methods in its slaughtering process” should be a wake up call to the Jewish community. Even if improvements at the facility are made and Jewish ritual slaughter is carried out perfectly with a minimum of pain, can we ignore the many ways that the widespread production and consumption of animal products contradict basic Jewish teachings.

When Judaism mandates that we treat animals with compassion, animals are raised under cruel conditions on factory farms, where they suffer greatly in cramped, confined spaces without sunlight, fresh air, or opportunities to fulfil their natural instincts. When Judaism stresses that we must diligently protect our health, animal-based diets are major contributors to the epidemic of heart disease, many forms of cancer, and other killer diseases and ailments afflicting the Jewish community and others. When Judaism mandates that we be partners with God in protecting the environment, modern intensive livestock agriculture contributes significantly to air, water, and land pollution, species extinction, deforestation, global climate change, water shortages, and many other environmental threats.

In summary: since Judaism mandates that we diligently guard our health, treat animals with compassion, protect the environment, conserve natural resources, and help hungry people, and animal-based diets and agriculture have negative effects in each of these areas, shouldn’t Jews (and others) seriously consider a switch toward meatless diets?

Very truly yours,
Richard H. Schwartz

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4. Previous Article and Letters Re the Postville Glatt Kosher Slaughterhouse as Background for Your Letters, Articles, and Talking Points

My Opinion Article Draft/Suggestions Welcome

WILL THE POSTVILLE HORRORS SHOCK US INTO RETURNING TO JEWISH VALUES?

I believe that the horrific scenes of the mistreatment of animals at the Postville glatt kosher slaughterhouse (http://www.goveg.com/feat/agriprocessors/index.asp) and the efforts of some Orthodox groups to defend the facility’s procedures raise questions that go to the heart and soul of Judaism: If slaughterhouse procedures are not consistently monitored for strict adherence to the ideals of shechita, are we carrying out our mandate to be “rachmanim b’nei rachmanim” (compassionate children of compassionate ancestors)? Are we not failing to properly imitate G-d, Whose “tender mercies are over all his creatures” (Psalms 145:9)? If, as is recited at synagogue services every Sabbath and Yom tov morning, “the soul of every living creature shall bless G-d’s Name,” can we expect these cruelly treated animals to join in the praise? If, “the righteous person considers the life of his or her animal” (Proverbs 12:10), how will be judged, based on our treatment of animals?

Even if shechita is carried out perfectly and pain during slaughter is minimized, can we ignore the many violations of Jewish teachings on compassion to animals that occur daily to billions of animals in the United States and worldwide?

Also, can we ignore the many other ways that animal-based diets and agriculture severely violate Jewish values:

* While Judaism mandates that people should be very careful about preserving their health and their lives, numerous scientific studies have linked animal-based diets directly to heart disease, stroke, many forms of cancer, and other chronic degenerative diseases.

* While Judaism teaches that "the earth is the Lord's" (Psalm 24:1) and that we are to be God's partners and co-workers in preserving the world, modern intensive livestock agriculture contributes substantially to soil erosion and depletion, air and water pollution, overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the destruction of tropical rain forests and other habitats, global climate change, and other environmental damages.

* While Judaism mandates bal tashchit, not to waste or unnecessarily destroy anything of value, or use more than is needed to accomplish a purpose, animal agriculture requires the wasteful use of land, water, fuel, grain, and other resources.

* While Judaism stresses that we are to assist the poor and share our bread with hungry people, an estimated twenty million human beings worldwide die each year because of hunger and its effects, over 70% of the grain grown in the U.S. is fed to animals destined for slaughter. It takes up to sixteen pounds of grain to produce just one pound of feedlot-raosed beef.

* While Judaism stresses that we must seek and pursue peace and that violence results from unjust conditions, animal-centered diets, by wasting valuable resources, perpetuate the widespread hunger and poverty that often lead to instability and war.

Clearly, Jewish values and meat consumption are in serious conflict. Jews should seriously consider shifting toward plant-based diets and promoting a switch toward vegetarianism as moral and ecological imperatives. Besides having great benefits for animals, such actions would greatly benefit the health of the Jewish people and others, move our precious, but imperiled planet to a more sustainable path, and show the relevance of Jewish teachings to the problems confronting the world today.

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Letters and Letter Segments

I believe that the horrific scenes of the mistreatment of animals at the Postville glatt kosher slaughterhouse (http://www.goveg.com/feat/agriprocessors/index.asp) and the efforts of some Orthodox groups to defend the facility’s procedures raise questions that go to the heart and soul of Judaism: If slaughterhouse procedures are not consistently monitored for strict adherence to the ideals of shechita, are we carrying out our mandate to be “rachmanim b’nei rachmanim” (compassionate children of compassionate ancestors)? Are we not failing to properly imitate G-d, Whose “tender mercies are over all his creatures” (Psalms 145:9)? If, as is recited at synagogue services every Sabbath and Yom tov morning, “the soul of every living creature shall bless G-d’s Name,” can we expect these cruelly treated animals to join in the praise? If, “the righteous person considers the life of his or her animal” (Proverbs 12:10), how will be judged, based on our treatment of animals?

Even if shechita is carried out perfectly and pain during slaughter is minimized, can we ignore the many violations of Jewish teachings on compassion to animals that occur daily to billions of animals in the United States and worldwide?

Finally, the most important question: since Judaism mandates that we should diligently guard our health, treat animals with compassion, protect the environment, conserve natural resources, and help hungry people, and animal-based diets and agriculture have negative effects in each of these areas, shouldn’t Jews (and others) seriously consider a switch toward meatless diets?

Very truly yours,
Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D.
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I believe that the horrific scenes of the mistreatment of animals at the Postville glatt kosher slaughterhouse and the efforts of some Jewish groups to defend the facility’s procedures raise questions that go to the heart and soul of Judaism: If slaughterhouse procedures are not consistently monitored for strict adherence to the ideals of shechita, are we carrying out our mandate to be "rachmanim b’nei rachmanim" (compassionate children of compassionate ancestors)? Are we failing in our obligation to properly imitate G-d, Whose "tender mercies are over all His creatures" (Psalms 145:9)? If, as is recited at synagogue services every Sabbath and Yom tov morning, "the soul of every living creature shall bless G-d’s Name," can we expect these cruelly treated animals to join in the praise? If, "the righteous person considers the life of his or her animal" (Proverbs 12:10), how will we be judged, based on our treatment of animals?
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It is essential that the widespread publicity over the cruel abuse of animals at the kosher slaughterhouse in Postville, Iowa lead to much needed changes throughout the entire industry and a reevaluation of our dietary habits. The Orthodox Union (OU) is to be commended for its steps toward ending the abuses of animals revealed by videos at the Postville facility, but these horrors are part of a much wider pattern of animal abuse in today's meat industry. We can no longer ignore the suffering and abuse that many farmed animals experience for their entire lives on factory farms.

As president of the Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA), I can assure you that JVNA has consistently opposed efforts to single out shechita for criticism and that we have been very critical of some of PETA’s outrageous methods . While we believe that Jews and others should shift toward plant-based diets, JVNA believes that properly carried out ritual slaughter is a humane method of slaughter, which aims to minimize animal pain, and that Jews who continue to eat meat should eat kosher meat.

However, we, respectfully, believe that it is essential to indicate that the inhumane treatment of animals at the Postville slaughterhouse that has been shown on the videotape is not typical of shechita. It is critical to immediately change the slaughter procedure [some changes have already been made], based on the advice of halachic experts and animal welfare experts, such as the highly respected Dr. Temple Grandin. Otherwise, we fear the possible negative effects on Jews and Judaism if people associate conditions at that slaughterhouse with Jewish ritual slaughter.

What appears on these videos seems to show animals, unnecessarily and in contravention of Jewish tradition, being mistreated and made to suffer. I am concerned that those who know little of Judaism may come to believe that this is actually what Jewish observance requires and condones, and may thereby become hostile to Jews and Judaism.

We want the idealistic vision of the Torah to be admired and influential in the world, not associated with cruel and insensitive practices.

In this case PETA has consistently focused on the Postville plant and stated that they believe that shechita, when properly carried out, is a superior method.

Richard H. Schwartz
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Dear editor,

It is essential that the widespread publicity over the cruel abuse of animals at the kosher slaughterhouse in Postville, Iowa lead to much needed changes throughout the entire industry and a reevaluation of our dietary habits. The Orthodox Union (OU) is to be commended for its initial steps toward ending the abuses of animals revealed by videos at the Postville facility, but these horrors are part of a much wider pattern of animal abuse in today's meat industry. We can no longer ignore the suffering and abuse that many farmed animals experience for their entire lives on factory farms.

The current controversy must be a wake up call to end the many violations of Jewish teachings associated with the production and consumption of animal products. Since Judaism mandates that we preserve our health, treat animals compassionately, protect the environment, conserve natural resources, and help hungry people, and animal-based diets and agriculture have negative effects in all of these areas, Jews should seriously consider a shift toward plant-based diets.

Very truly yours,
Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D.
President, Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA)
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Editor@koshertoday.com
Dear editor,

As president of the Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA), I can assure you that JVNA has consistently opposed efforts to single out shechita for criticism and that we have been very critical of some of PETA’s outrageous methods . While we believe that Jews and others should shift toward plant-based diets, JVNA believes that properly carried out ritual slaughter is a humane method of slaughter, which aims to minimize animal pain, and that Jews who continue to eat meat should eat kosher meat.

However, we, respectfully, believe that it is essential to indicate that the inhumane treatment of animals at the Postville slaughterhouse that has been shown on the videotape is not typical of shechita. It is critical to immediately change the slaughter procedure, based on the advice of halachic experts and animal welfare experts, such as the highly respected Dr. Temple Grandin. Otherwise, we fear the possible negative effects on Jews and Judaism if people associate conditions at that slaughterhouse with Jewish ritual slaughter.

What appears on these videos seems to show animals, unnecessarily and in contravention of Jewish tradition, being mistreated and made to suffer. I m concerned that those who know little of Judaism may come to believe that this is actually what Jewish observance requires and condones, and may thereby become hostile to Jews and Judaism. We want the idealistic vision of the Torah to be admired and influential in the world, not associated with cruel and insensitive practices."

Shochtim consulted by one of our advisors stated that:

1. Rubashkin's is the only kosher plant in the US and Canada that uses this type of pen. Other kosher facilities commonly use the USDA approved pen or the Grandin-designed v-conveyor system, among others. (Rubashkin's system is still preferable to the previously used shackle and hoist systems that are still used for kosher slaughter
in South America.)

2. Removal of organs immediately after shechita, without waiting for the animal to lose consciousness, is not commonly practiced elsewhere.

3. The writhing on the floor and attempts to stand up are behaviors that occur when the shochet has failed to sever the carotid arteries. One expert shochet stated that he had never seen anything similar to the behaviors our advisor described to him.

1. Rubashkin's is the only kosher plant in the US and Canada that uses this sort of pen. Others commonly use the USDA approved pen or the Grandin-designed v-conveyor system, among others. (Rubashkin's system is still preferable to the previous shackle and hoist systems that are still used for kosher slaughter in South America.)

2. Removal of the throat immediately upon shechita, without waiting for the animal to lose consciousness, is not commonly practiced elsewhere.

3. The writhing on the floor and attempts to stand up are behaviors that occur when the shochet has failed to sever the carotid arteries. Feeding the animals prior to shechita also accelerates loss of consciousness. One expert shochet stated that he had never seen anything like the behaviors our advisor described to him.

Hence, we very respectfully urge you to reconsider your position of defending those conditions, and that you use your great influence to see that immediate steps are taken to see that shechita is properly carried out.

In this case PETA has consistently focused on the Postville plant and stated that they believe that shechita, when properly carried out, is a superior method.

Thanks you for your kind consideration.

Very truly yours,
Richard H. Schwartz

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December 1, 2004

For general media

To the editor:

The horrific scenes videotaped at the Postville glatt kosher slaughterhouse hardly seem consistent with teachings on treating animals with compassion. Making matters worse is the fact that the mistreatment of animals produces a product that is so harmful to human health and that of our imperiled planet.

A shift toward vegetarianism is a societal imperative today because animal-based diets and agriculture are having devastating effects on human health and the environment, and a religious imperative because the production and consumption of animal products violates religious mandates to preserve our health, treat animals with compassion, protect the environment, conserve natural resources, and help hungry people.

Very truly yours,
Richard H. Schwartz

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Re: "Videos Cited in Calling Kosher Slaughterhouse Inhumane" (Dec.1):

Rarely have the horrors of animal slaughterhouses been revealed as dramatically as in your article about the kosher slaughterhouse in Iowa. Making matters worse is the fact that the mistreatment of animals produces a product that is so harmful to human health and that of our imperiled planet.

A shift toward vegetarianism is a societal imperative today because animal-based diets and agriculture are having devastating effects on human health and the environment, and a religious imperative because the production and consumption of animal products violates religious mandates to preserve our health, treat animals with compassion, protect the environment, conserve natural resources, and help hungry people.

Very truly yours,
Richard H. Schwartz

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5. Two Letters in the Jerusalem Post in Response to Israeli Chief Rabbinate Decision to Accept Meat from the Postville Slaughterhouse as Kosher

Meaty argument

Sir, - As president of Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA), I was shocked and saddened at the announcement by the head of the Chief Rabbinate's international ritual slaughter division, Rabbi Ezra Raful, that he would permit the importing of meat from AgriProcessors Inc. of Postville, Iowa, despite a US Agriculture Department report that found the slaughterhouse in violation of animal cruelty laws ("Rabbinate OKs meat despite cruelty to animals," March 14). This decision makes it harder for JVNA to continue to defend shehita (ritual slaughtering) and argue that Judaism teaches compassionate treatment of animals.

Rather than accepting the horrible conditions revealed at the Postville slaughterhouse, I respectfully submit that Jewish leaders should point out how the current widespread production and consumption of animal products threaten our health and that of our imperiled planet's environment, thus violating basic Jewish mandates to guard our lives, treat animals with compassion, preserve the environment and help hungry people.

RICHARD H. SCHWARTZ
President, Jewish Vegetarians of North America
Staten Island, NY
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Sir, - It is truly ironic and shameful that cruel animal slaughter methods could be undertaken with the sanction of Jewish law. Allowing this, despite revelations of illegal abuse of animals at AgriProcessors Inc. in Iowa, overlooks a fundamental fact: Judaism has an entire code of laws on preventing the suffering of animals. Indeed, the Jews invented the concept of kindness to animals. Even the Ten Commandments include a requirement that farm animals be allowed to enjoy a day of rest on Shabbat. So God must have felt that kindness to animals was not a trivial matter.

Jews are not allowed to pass by an animal in distress or to ignore animals being mistreated, yet this is exactly what we do when we certify as kosher products from animals that are treated cruelly.

LEWIS REGENSTEIN
Atlanta

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