(JTA) — The Haifa rabbinate has warned local hotels and event halls that they could lose their kashrut supervision if they hold New Year’s Eve parties on their premises.
“No parties celebrating Christian New Year’s Eve should be held on the premises, and our supervision will be further denied to those who disobey our instructions,” read a letter from the rabbinate sent to area businesses, Ynet reported.
The decision is based on a previous decision made by the Chief Rabbinate, the head of Haifa’s Religious Council, Avi Weitzman, told Ynet.
The Chief Rabbinate said that its kashrut supervisors could not be present to supervise the food at celebrations of Christian holidays, such as New Year’s, and therefore the kashrut certificate would have to be revoked.
“It is forbidden for a Jew to be present in a place where ‘idol worship’ is being conducted,” said a statement from the Chief Rabbinate, according to the Jerusalem Post.
