Shorts: U.S.

Slaughterhouse loses kosher contract


new york (jta) | A kosher slaughterhouse lost a major contract after failing an audit.

Kosher Today reported that auditors said the Atlantic Veal slaughterhouse failed to use head restraints when slaughtering veal, violating American Meat Institute recommendations. As a result, the food company Sysco canceled its contract with the company. A spokesman for Atlantic Veal responded that the company's slaughtering procedures are in strict compliance with Jewish laws governing kosher slaughter.

The incident comes in the wake of allegations that Agriprocessors, a kosher slaughterhouse in Iowa, violated kosher standards and federal law by using cruel and inhumane means to slaughter animals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investigating the Agriprocessors plant.




Student boosts Jesus at graduation


new york (jta) | A student speaker at a U.S. university's graduation said the true path to success lies "through Jesus."

The student's comments, made May 19 at Rutgers University-Newark's commencement ceremony, prompted some students and faculty members to walk out, the New Jersey Jewish News reported.

University officials, who did not have an advance copy of the speech, said they do not endorse the student's remarks but support his right to speak freely. Etzion Neuer, New Jersey regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, called the student's statement "upsetting," and said student representatives at public universities need to remain sensitive to all groups.




White House names new Jewish liaison


washington (jta) | The White House was expected to name Jeffrey Berkowitz as the new liaison to the Jewish community.

Berkowitz, associate director of the White House scheduling office, will take the post over from Noam Neusner, who has been relieved to concentrate on his position as spokesman for the Office of Management and Budget, sources said.

Berkowitz has been working for several weeks as Neusner's deputy, meeting with leaders of the Jewish community in Washington, and spoke at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conference last week. Berkowitz previously worked for the Republican Jewish Coalition and the Republican National Committee, focusing on foreign policy and defense issues.