Is this gift ok for a Kosher Jewish family?

[golfgal]

We are having our "Holiday" party for the management staff at DH's office in a couple weeks. It will be at the home of the owners. They are Jewish and I am just going to assume they are Kosher, just in case. I usually get some Penzey's Spice gift boxes for hostess gifts. Would these be ok? Are there any spices I shouldn't get?

http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/shophome.html

 

[FireDancer]

Are there any spices I shouldn't get?

 

[rigs32]

Without being able to see the product to find the ingredient list or the kosher symbol I'd have no way of being able to tell you yes or now.

 

[deegack]

I would have to see the labels. I'm not Jewish but worked for many years at an orthodox university. We were required to only have kosher items offered at all events etc.

You have to look for the circled K or U.

 

[scrapquitler]

We are having our "Holiday" party for the management staff at DH's office in a couple weeks. It will be at the home of the owners. They are Jewish and I am just going to assume they are Kosher, just in case. I usually get some Penzey's Spice gift boxes for hostess gifts. Would these be ok? Are there any spices I shouldn't get?

http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/shophome.html

I wouldn't give ANY food gift to a person who keeps Kosher, unless I was absolutely sure that the food was certified Kosher by the governing body that they consider the most valid. There are different types of Kosher certification, and not all 'Kosher' is the same. It would be a shame for you to spend a bunch of money on Penzeys stuff and not have it be something they can use.

 

[Cindy B]

Couldn't tell with the link which one you were planning. I see the little four jar thing on the page.. one of those is a pork rub.

Not a great idea. If they keep kosher, they won't use it. However, I know many Jewish families that either a) don't keep Kosher at all b) keep Kosher only in thier own home c) keep Kosher only during holidays

I wouldn't go with that if you aren't sure. Of course they could always regift it.

Personally, not Jewish- but I am particular about spices/food gifts. I can't remember what the "rule" is about plants or flowers-- but that may be something to consider.

 

[punkin]

We are having our "Holiday" party for the management staff at DH's office in a couple weeks. It will be at the home of the owners. They are Jewish and I am just going to assume they are Kosher, just in case. I usually get some Penzey's Spice gift boxes for hostess gifts. Would these be ok? Are there any spices I shouldn't get?

http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/shophome.html

Why not just ask?

 

[clori]

I'm Jewish but don't keep kosher. Well we did until I was 5 but I have no recollection of it. My brother is 10 years older than me. When I needed something kosher to bring to a party once my brother told me to bring something from Entemans since their products are kosher.

 

[Adipoo]

None of my Penzey's bottles are marked kosher. I don't keep kosher so it doesn't matter for me. I personally would avoid food gifts for a kosher family.

 

[golfgal]

Why not just ask?

Because I won't see or talk to them before the party. I will check with DH to see if he knows and/or if he can ask. I was going to be by the store today so I was going to pick something up. The owner is not in the office this week or next so no way to ask them until after Thanksgiving. Not a huge deal to wait to buy it though.


Thanks for the help. I looked at some of the spices I have and none of them say anything about being Kosher so probably not a good idea if they are. I know not to get any pork rubs though. They have 1000's of other things though.

 

[punkin]

I'm Jewish but don't keep kosher. Well we did until I was 5 but I have no recollection of it. My brother is 10 years older than me. When I needed something kosher to bring to a party once my brother told me to bring something from Entemans since their products are kosher.

Entenman's are dairy, so not a good idea with a meat meal.

golfgal, I usually bring flowers. Trying to bring something Kosher when you do not know Kashrut rules and observance levels is going to be very difficult.

 

[Coconut36]

I wouldn't give ANY food gift to a person who keeps Kosher, unless I was absolutely sure that the food was certified Kosher by the governing body that they consider the most valid. There are different types of Kosher certification, and not all 'Kosher' is the same. It would be a shame for you to spend a bunch of money on Penzeys stuff and not have it be something they can use.

I agree and you are making an assumption the items are Kosher meaning they very well might not be and it would be something they couldn't use and a waste of your money.

Food gifts..even spices are not a good choice in this situation.

I would go with a plant/flowers or something non food as a hostess gift.

 

[lizabu]

I would go with nice flowers/candles/soaps or household items like a pretty marble cheese platter or salt & pepper mill etc

 

[piglet too]

Sent you a PM

 

[snykymom]

Without being able to see the product to find the ingredient list or the kosher symbol I'd have no way of being able to tell you yes or now.

Even if the list of ingredients "looks" kosher, because there's nothing blatantly not kosher, doesn't make the item acceptable in a kosher home. If it's made, for example, in a factory in which non-kosher ingredients are used, or in which milk and meat items are made on the same machinery, or anything of that sort, the product would be deemed not kosher.

Only the various kosher symbols would suffice to know for sure. These are some to look for:

And of course, as noted above, some are "more kosher" than others. It depends on the level of observance of the particular family.

 

[tlbwriter]

Entenman's are dairy, so not a good idea with a meat meal.

But if it's a hostess gift, it's not meant to be served with the meal. The hosts could have it for breakfast the next day.

 

[thomas998]

The following is a list of spices don't need to be certified kosher, unless they are really fresh and might have bugs in them.

Allspice
Anise
Basil
Bay Leaf
Black Pepper
Caraway
Cardamom
Chervil White & Black (Raw only)
Chili Peppers
Chives
Cilantro
Cinnamon
Cloves
Coriander
Cream of Tartar
Cumin
Dill
Fennel
Fenugreek
Garlic- whole or powder (not toasted or roasted)
Ginger
Lemon Grass
Mace
Marjoram
Mustard Powder and Mustard Seed
Nutmeg
Onion (not toasted or roasted)
Oregano
Paprika
Parsley
Peppercorns
Pepper
Rosemary
Saffron
Sage
Salt
Savory
Sesame Seed
Sumac
Tarragon
Thyme
Turmeric
White Pepper

The following and any spice blends would need to be certified.

Chili Powders
Horseradish
Wasabi Powder
Toasted or Roasted Dry Garlic
Fresh Chopped Garlic

So if your spices are on the top list they would be okay.

You may of course be worrying way too much. Most of the jewish folks I know aren't that strict. If you have noticed if the husband wears a yamaka then that would be a sign that they are strict, but otherwise I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[punkin]

But if it's a hostess gift, it's not meant to be served with the meal. The hosts could have it for breakfast the next day.

assuming they don't follow "chalav isroel" rules. Really, make your life easy and don't bring food.

 

[JoiseyMom]

You may of course be worrying way too much. Most of the jewish folks I know aren't that strict. If you have noticed if the husband wears a yamaka then that would be a sign that they are strict, but otherwise I wouldn't worry too much about it.

I will disagree with this. I was raised in a kosher home. My father and brothers didn't wear a yarmulke unless they were in shul. My bff is the same way today. Her house is kosher but her husband and son's don't have their heads covered. So not wearing it doesn't mean they aren't kosher at home. Also, even if they are kosher at home, doesn't mean they are kosher outside of home.

So the best thing is to pass on food items OP!

 

[punkin]

I will disagree with this. I was raised in a kosher home. My father and brothers didn't wear a yarmulke unless they were in shul. My bff is the same way today. Her house is kosher but her husband and son's don't have their heads covered. So not wearing it doesn't mean they aren't kosher at home. Also, even if they are kosher at home, doesn't mean they are kosher outside of home.

So the best thing is to pass on food items OP!

I had a teacher who was extremely religious (family lived in Boro Park religious) but he did not wear a Yarmulke to work. Nevertheless, nothing non-kosher would have ever passed his lips.