Resolution on Kosher-Certified Animal Products

Whereas Jewish law prohibits causing unnecessary pain to animals;

Whereas the Rabbinical Assembly’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards has recognized that animals must be raised in humane conditions;

Whereas, in 2008, the Rabbinical Assembly and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism established the Hekhsher Tzedek Commission to bring the Jewish commitment of ethics and social justice directly into our food supply practices;

Whereas Rabbinical Assembly members have continued to point to the gulf between industrial food supply practices and our ethics and expectations of a kosher certification; 

Whereas shifts to our institutional food practices, such as reducing factory-farmed animal product consumption, would help us to better achieve our values;

Therefore be it resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly urge Jewish institutions to adopt food sourcing practices that better reflect our moral and religious values;

Be it further resolved that members of the Rabbinical Assembly create pathways to proactively engage constituents in education and ethical ideas and work towards bringing these values, actions and practices into our individual and communal lives;

Be it further resolved that our  Social Justice Commission create an ad hoc subcommittee to  revisit our work in the area of ethical food consumption with a focus on  sourcing of kosher-certified animal products and whether those sources meet our values;

Be it further resolved that this subcommittee expand upon a list of best practices for sustainability and ethical food practices; and

Be it finally resolved that this subcommittee report its findings to the Rabbinical Assembly membership at the 2023 Rabbinical Assembly Annual Meeting.