Chew by Choice: The Postville Raid and Magen Tzedek

Gadi Capela

By Gadi Capela
JCUA Rabbinic Fellow

On May 12, 2008, the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raided AgriProcessors Inc., the kosher slaughterhouse and meat packing plant in Postville, Iowa.  Nearly 400 undocumented immigrant workers, mostly from Mexico and Guatemala, were arrested in what became the largest raid of a workplace in U.S. history until then.

Most of those who were arrested were convicted for document fraud and identity theft. Correspondingly, several AgriProcessors employees and managers were convicted for conspiracy to harbor undocumented immigrants.

But there was more.

AgriProcessors Inc. (photo: The Gazette)

AgriProcessors was  paying substandard wages and offering minimal safety instruction and health care to its 800 employees, and was hurting the animals and the environment. As a result, the Conservative movement reacted with a new initiative called Magen Tzedek.

By invoking the verse from Deuteronomy, “You shall not abuse a needy and destitute laborer, whether a fellow countryman or a stranger,” Rabbi Morris Allen advocated for an ethical certification for kosher food in addition to the current kosher slaughtering certification.

Magen Tzedek was founded on the principle that we are what we eat. It is an ethical seal signifying that kosher food has been prepared with the highest standard of integrity and care, including employee wages and benefits, health and safety, animal welfare, corporate transparency and environmental impact.

Magen Tzedek demonstrates that ritual and ethical commandments have an equal place at our tables.

To learn more about Magen Tzedek, join us for lunch with Gadi Capela on Tuesday, July 5 at noon at the JCUA office, 610 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 500. The event is free, but you need to RSVP on our website.

Rights and Roots– Exploring Immigration and Jewish Ethics

Join us for Rights and Roots: an engaging evening for young adults to explore the challenges facing both documented and undocumented immigrants in the U.S. through the framework of Jewish values and ethics.

Hear speakers from diverse immigrant communities share their personal experiences and join in a reflection and discussion on Jewish textual and cultural perspectives on immigration issues of today. Kosher food from various immigrant communities will be provided.

When: Thursday, May 19, 7-10 pm

Where: Russian Moishe House, 474 N. Lake Shore Drive

The event is free, but space is limited so reserve your spot today.

[Download a PDF flyer of the event to share with your friends]

For more information contact Emily Zucker Burns at 312-663-0960 or emily@jcua.org.

This event is organized by young leaders from the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs Associate Division, Birthright Israel NEXT Chicago and Moishe House-RSJ (Russian-Speaking Jewish).