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Gefilte fish, Mr. Ambassador?

by Ben Murane · June 4th, 2007
Humor, Jewish Culture, Kosher, News

Too funny:

Diplomats denied treif

(JTA) Israel turned down a request by some of its ambassadors abroad asking to hold official functions in non-kosher restaurants.

Ma’ariv reported Monday that dozens of envoys had complained to Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni that the kosher eateries available in the countries where they are posted are not of a standard appropriate for official diplomatic business. But their appeal for flexibility in the protocol was quashed by Trade Minister Eli Yishai, a representative of the Orthodox Shas Party in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s coalition government.

“Keeping kosher has preserved the people of Israel,” Yishai told Livni.

Alternate headlines:

  • Israeli foreign ministry lifeline for kosher restaurateurs worldwide
  • Kosher delis cramping ministry’s style
  • Ahmadinejad not swayed by seductive Reuben sandwich
  • Israeli palettes imprisoned for preservation of peoplehood
  • Shas minister squashes sausage, shrimp, foreign relations

(X-posted to Jewschool)

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2 Responses to “Gefilte fish, Mr. Ambassador?”

  1. Dan Aviv Says:
    June 5th, 2007 at 2:31 pm

    “Keeping kosher has preserved the people of Israel,” Yishai told Livni.

    … Gee ! I thought it was the Shabbat that has preserved the people of Israel.

    This concept could spawn a mad-lib style shibboleth game where folks can vote on what is the source of Israel’s preservation!

  2. Larry Baitch Says:
    June 7th, 2007 at 11:54 am

    This is a problem for anyone who wishes to treat anyone to a “nice” meal at a kosher restaurant. Aside from a few cities with Vaads aggresively trying to attract kosher businesses (e.g. Baltimore, New York)kosher restaurants are generally a disgrace and definitely an embarassment. Many are filthy, the service slow and the employees often surly.

    What motivation is there for the owners to improve? There is no impetus from their Vaads (certification is not based on cleanliness and service, only kashrut) and often they are the only game in town for someone who wants to eat a meal outside the house.

    That is a problem, not only for families who keep kosher but for businesspeople, politicians or anyone who wishes to host non-Jews in an attractive, pleasant environment.

    As an Orthodox Jew I understand the rationale from both sides of the “Kosher Ambassador” argument, but I think that the influential Rabbaim in the US should address the problem.

    -Larry Baitch

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