Brooklyn, NY – Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) and Mr. Alexander Rapaport of Masbia Soup Kitchen have joined forces to draft a religious ban prohibiting Passover price gouging in the Orthodox Jewish community. This decree, known as a kol koreh or a public pronouncement, is not a new phenomenon in the religious Jewish community. There is a great deal of precedent in Jewish law for rabbis to issue edicts against monopolies or other situations which are deemed spiritually reckless.
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Signed by 30 prominent rabbis, this kol koreh employs strong language. The headline declares, “One must be extra careful in circumstances where a monetary loss will be incurred.” States the edict, “Now before Passover, especially when the economy is so bad, we are reminding people of the Jewish law concerning monopolies.” The rabbis further caution store owners to have mercy on the consumer all year around, but particularly at Passover when there is so much need. “And it is forbidden to take advantage of market prices before the holiday and to raise prices without a justifiable reason,” warns the decree.
In addition to the edict, Hikind has secured commitments from major distributors to sell Passover items at or below cost. Golden Flow, Mehadrin Dairy, Ahava Foods, and World Cheese Co., Inc. (Ha’Olam) have all agreed to maintain their year-round pricing for Passover. Reisman Bakery and Materna (the Israeli baby formula and food company) have each announced a 15 percent discount on all their kosher-for-Passover products.
These distributors are among those praised in the ban by the rabbis. “We were happy to hear that some stores and manufacturers listened to the poor in our community, and have either brought down prices or agreed not to raise them. The Almighty should bless their efforts and people should learn from them and replicate their actions.”
In explaining his reasoning behind the need for this ban, Hikind said, “I do not begrudge any store owner from making a living. I am just asking owners to have compassion and not to take advantage of people just because they can get away with it. I am hoping those who determine the prices will adhere to the kol koreh.”
Unlike many rabbinical decrees where rabbis’ names are added without their perusal or consent, this kol koreh was read and signed personally by each rabbi listed. Following is the list of rabbis who have affixed their name to the ban:
Rabbi Moshe Freidman, Satmar Dayen; Rabbi Yechiel Mechil Steinmetz, Skver Dayen; Rabbi Shlomo Gross, Belz Dayen; Rabbi Yecheskel Roth, Karlesburg Rov; Rabbi Yitzchok Stein, Foltishan Dayen; Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Friedlander, Liske Rov; Rabbi Avroham Friedlander, Hivnover Rov; Rabbi Pinchas Shulom Hager, Viznitz Rov; Rabbi Menachem Mendel Rosenberg, Viznitz Dayen; Rabbi Shrage Favish Hager, Kosov Rebbe; Rabbi Moshe Fogel, Ger Dayen; Rabbi Elye Fischer, Ger Rosh Hakollel; Rabbi Yakkov Miller, Eizenshtater Rov; Rabbi Avroham Chaim Schteinwurtzel, Matei Efrayim Rov; Rabbi Gavriel Tzinner, Neitei Gavriel Rov; Rabbi Chaim Eluzer Freidman, Tenke Rov; Rabbi Aron Glick, Kameniz Rov; Rabbi Chaim Yeshuah Konig, Yokeh Rov; Rabbi Moshe Menachem Weiss, Pupe Dayen; Rabbi Yechiel Kaufman, Sfardish Shul Rov and Executive Director of BPJCC; Rabbi Yakov Perlow, Noviminsker Rebbe; Rabbi Moshe Wolfson, Emunas Yisroel Rov and Mashgiach of Torah Voda’as; Rabbi Yakov Yisroel Rubin Brizdovitz Rov; Rabbi Psachaya Fried, Bnei Yisroel Rov; Rabbi Shulem Yosef Chaim Hacohen Fried Krasne Rov; Rabbi Aron Wieder, Linzer Rov; Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Bik, Nachlas Moshe; Rabbi Bezion Hacohen Strasser, Neitre Dayen; Rabbi Gershon Tenenbaum, Linben Hights Rov; and Rabbi Yakov Horowitz, Rosh Yeshivas Beis Meir Rov of Telzer Minyan.
As part of his ongoing campaign to fight Passover price inflation, Hikind’s office also conducted a survey over the last six weeks to determine if store owners are capitalizing on consumers in one of the worst financial climates in recent history. Basic Passover items such as sugar, coffee, and quartered chicken, among other products were surveyed.
In Brooklyn, a 5lb bag of kosher-for-Passover Domino sugar sold from $2.79 to $3.69, while Gefen, CRC, and Lieber’s sugar sold for as much as $6.99 a bag depending on the store and the certification. The same held true for a 7oz. can of coffee. Under its own label, the price for kosher-for-Passover Taster’s Choice ranges between $7.49 and $9.99. On cans which feature an added certification, the price jumped to as high as $14.45 per container. Other brands like Maxwell House, Elite, and Lieber’s were even cheaper than either Taster’s Choice options at most Brooklyn stores.
Surprisingly, the price for quartered chicken remained fairly static from February to March in Brooklyn with prices hovering near $2.69/lb or slightly higher. Some stores even dropped their prices by as much as 50 to 70 cents per pound in March. Queens residents saw a forty cent increase per pound in three of their major stores, with a much smaller, per-pound increase in the Five Towns.
“My advice to every consumer shopping this Passover is ‘buyer beware,’ said Hikind. “While it may be inconvenient to patronize several different stores this Passover, the overall savings will definitely add up.”
As a non-chossid, I am impressed with so many chassidishe personalities that have signed this kol koreh. More litvishe rabbonim must join.
ShopRite lowers their prices for Paysach, gives you free matzah and never gouges.
about time someone did something about the rising prices now lets see them roll back matzah prices which are up again
let the price of the hechsher come down so the companies can then charge less
Customers should also refer to the pesach guides put out by various kashrus agencies. They will tell you which products need specific pesach certification, and which “year-round” products can be used during pesach. Buying the acceptable “year-round” products can save a lot.
its about time they woke up but does anyone really believe it will be done
finally a kol koreh about something real.
Like these hoodlums will really listen
Forget getting Rabbonim to sign. How about getting the presidents of Alle, Gefen, Rokeach, Empire, etc. And the grocery supermarkets to sign. We know that kosher costs more, we are all used to that idea. But Pesach items do not have to cost more. Does it actually cost $4 to take Domino or generic sugar and repout it into the “mehadrin Min Hamehadrin min ha holier than thou” kosher bags? Do these owners have any idea how many frum families have absolutely no parnoso and are too ashamed or proud to ask for help? Hundreds, many hundreds. Can’t you guys tighten your belts one year and give the consumers a break? By the way, I can BH afford $6.99 sugar and $18.50 matzo so I’m not writing out of bitterness. I’m writing out of concern for Klal Yisroel.
You guys are all a bunch of hypocrites. When these same rabonim signed against the Lipa concert you were all up in arms about the “chutzpa” of the rabonim. Now they sign something that you like, its wonderful. You can’t have it both ways.
Most of the products yiddinm MUST buy for pesach don’t need special hashgacha and regular kashruth certification is sufficient. If you want to be a machmir let the market set the price and don’t tell shopkeepers what they must charge. Whats next: we will tell rabbonim how much they can charge for saying a hesped at a levayah, tell the mohels how much to charge for brissen. We live in a free society and a free market system. This is not Russia where the government (or chas va’challiah the government) telling the private sector what to charge.
What about price gouging all year long? Where is the Kol Koreh ?
How about to get the clothing stores to reduce their prices before Pesach..I have 4 bucherim 3 yinglech and 3 girls to dress up for yom tov and i live on a fixed income.
How many cheese and lady fingers does anyone buy that we make such a fuss about it? Where is everyone when it comes to Matzohs,Fish,Meat,Clothing…..Dov hikind is doing a super job fighting Kosher prices and we need him to get more involved…
No big deal Reismans is new in the pesach line that’s why it’s an advertisement for them why don’t we hear from companies like Gefen,Oberlanders or Vineland don’t you have some rachmunis on the yidden that struggle to make pesach, wake up its not too Late Yet
We don’t have anything processed at Pesach, just sugar (which we boil for sugar water to flavor the fish & squeezed OJ) & oil because shmaltz is dangerous for me. But I think this is fantastic & long overdue. The fruit & veg stores should do the same. And fish…what I pay is ridiculous!
to #12 , when the Rabbonim asured concerts etc, that was frivolous. You’re mixing apples & oranges here. These are 2 separate concepts & this affects many families, as Chaim S. says. BTW, I wish our matza only cost $18.50 a lb!
When a jew charges more than a goy, there is no need to buy from the jews. let economic competition be the kol koreh.
Encouraging manufacturers to sell Passover goods at or below cost is not the answer. This might limit the availability of certain items, and cause a number of manufacturers that make kosher products to avoid making products that are kosher for Pesach. I would also like to see manufacturers of kosher for Passover items start making them earlier in the season. I like to start shopping early for Pesach, but certain items aren’t available until soon before Pesach.
If anyone knows of kosher for Pesach vitamins, I would like to hear about it. I hate going 8 days in a row without vitamins.
Its about time they say something about the rent. . Landlords should at least give an apt ready to move as is required by law. .
why all of a sudden is price gouging wrong- this has been going on for years- we’ve all been feeling the pinch from these crooks for way too long- I can understand making a profit – but getting uber rich while your brethern suffer is not what hashem had in mind for the heilig paesach- we put our trust in the gedolim- they turnd a blind eye because the checks kept coming- now they speakup because all the lipa bashers have no more dough to pay for food- where have the gedolim been all these years when we struggled to pay for paesach? The whole systems wrong!!
I buy my kosher lepesach during chol hamoed – much cheaper.
2 points
dov & rabbi rappaport good intentions
THE REPORT HAS A SUBTLE FLAW (clarification)
“AS MUCH AS 699”
one must understand that everyone chooses which brand to buy
the salt &sugar from the CRC – is a fundraiser -satmar is not claiming holy salt –
rather than have another shnor campaign this is the pre pesach beis din collection so i feel those items from CRC should not be in the report
in general the “heimishe canned goods & staples are not much more expensive than del monte green giant..
yisroel kedoshim heim
My wife and I decided a few years ago to start making Pesach simple. Yes, matzoh is ridiculous, but beyond that what more do you NEED? Stick to fresh fruits, vegetables and chicken. We sliced our budget in half by not buying all of the junk food (horrible cakes/cookies, candies, etc.). We cut our Pesach budget in HALF a few years ago, and we have stuck with it ever since. Yes, it means more work to prepare meals, and yes it means eating the same few things nearly every day (roasted chicken, potatoes, egg salad and tuna fish can become quite boring after a while), but its only for a week.
We found that so much of our budget was eaten up by pre-made frozen foods and and junk that was just not necessary. While it may be nice to have variety, I’m certainly not willing to go into hock for it…. although a bag or two of potato chips can help you FEEL like there is variety. 🙂
If someone could tell me the kosher/halachic difference between the glass bottle of tasters Choice 7oz. that says kosher for pessach and costs 7.99 at KRM or the Gefen /Tasters choice “special run” of the same coffee in the tall plastic 7oz size that costs 12.99, I would like to know. Are we worried that they process the cheaper one while eating their sandwiches so why does it say kosher for pessach on it?
Dear VIN editor,
Please make a good guy list and a big offender list on the web site of the good and bad companies
Oh, please, there are plenty of non-chassidim in Brooklyn. There are yidden outside of Boro Park and Williamsburg, you know. Those are the circles I was referring to, and they’re served by plenty of rabbonim who don’t wear shtreimlach or spodiks.
Define good & bad companies. How can you judge? And how can you do such a thing? It may take you some time, but I’m sure you are capable of comparison shopping.
Stop N Shop – 1009 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY has Kedem 64oz Bottles for 2.99 each.
Wew never talk about matzohs…pricing is out of hand the biggest gougers and we are only busy with grocery items it seems all the matzoh bakeries are free from participating..you do not see even one lowering their prices..Why two sided kol Korahs. Reduce to use of matzoh and only for the seuda and the rest eat things that are not expensive potatos..etc.
WHERE IS KEDEM IN THIS?
Unbelievable ganovim!
In South Florida (Boca Raton) the price of each loaf of gefilte fish rose by $4-5 a loaf.
Please, the cost of fish did not go up. The kashering costs are minimal.
Where is the extra money going?
The rabbis down here are suddenly mute.
the real problem is everyone that touches the product now expects to make money.
by the time we get it its gone thru several hands. but why is matzah 19.00 a pound wheat prices went down and they raised it last year even though they bought it proir to the rise in prices as per chicken and fish they raise it because we need it and its money time for them lastly maybe its time to lower the supervisions prices as well it must be profitable business see how mANY NEW COMPANIES OPEN EACH YEAR
The biggest ripoff by far is the Shmurah Matzoh, and not one of these “rabbis” say
or do anything!
$18 a pound is highway robbery, no matter how many “chumros” you apply.
A pound of kosher rye bread is $2 and that includes costs and labor
Where do these guys get off charging 9 times as much for the same amount of Matzah!
And to top it off every year the price goes up.
This is just a scam playing on peoples
desire and fear to do the Mitzvah properly.
Why Only For Pesach They Are Coming Out With Such A Decree i just bought a tuna sandwich at munch n lunch on 13 49 and he charged me 6.25 when i asked why so much his answer was because of the economic crises what a shame
Why Only For Pesach They Are Coming Out With Such A Decree i just bought a tuna sandwich at munch n lunch on 13 49 and he charged me 6.25 when i asked why so much his answer was because of the economic crises what a shame
Why do fish prices go sky high before pesach.
looks like the only way to get satmar and agudah to side together is when it hits there pocket
can anyone explain to me how the co-op in jackson can charge 20 bux a pound on shatzer matzohs? can anyone explain to me how westgate kosher can charge almost 14 dollars for a pound of machine matzoh? THIS MUST STOP.! We should do like rabbi heineman did years ago with esrogim . when the sellers were taking atvantage he came out with a psak of only one or two esrogim per shul and its to be shared
“The biggest ripoff by far is the Shmurah Matzoh”.
FYI, shmuroh matza is not necessarily hand matza. Machine matza can be shmura too, and is much cheaper. In fact gedolei olam, such as Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt”l held that machine matza is actually more kosher and mehudar and ate it by the seder for matzos mitzvoh.
Many of these Rabbis have so diluted the use of a kol koreh, will anyone pay attention to this one?
Forget High Prices in NY, try living in Miami Beach, where there is only 1 read one Kohser store. One needs a bank loan or third job to pay the prices. Hand Shmura is $22 a pound, meat & poultry prices are in the stratosphere. And Pesach baked products are untouchable. $9 & $10 for a box of stale cookies baked months ago. .
I think these rabbonim should make the rounds and publicize which stores are
sticking to the kol korei. Why did chicken go up so hi.
about time!now what about the other 357 days of the year?!
Thank you Masbia, now when I’ll buy cheaper food for Passover I will feel like I am eating at MASBIA
A soup kitchen taking on all the big companies that’s guts
Lets everybody call on GEFEN-KEDEM & MEAL-MART and LIEBER’S pledge to keep their prices
this all sounds very liberal to me, how do we know how much it costs for the distributor, so that we could say he’s overcharging???
“Become a vegan, it’s healthier.”
It’s hard enough being a vegetarian Ashkenazi on Pesach. What do vegan Ashkenazis eat on Pesach? Do they live on matzoh, nuts and vegetables?
Much of my diet is typically kitniyos. At least I eat eggs, and dairy.
you Need enf0rCement by the hashgach0s LIke a vadd
Hi there, I am one of the guys you usually point your anger at.
the reason that pesach the prices are higher has nothing to do with the store owners. we just put up a regular 30% markup on all products to cover the cost of operating a business and to make a decent living. we don’t put a bigger markup even though the pesach season cost us so much more with extra employees, renting trailers and warehouses, working 18 hour shifts etc.
here is the real reason:
for pesach we all used washed eggs with no labeling on the egg shell. the farm needs to change their production line for a couple of hours and they add another .15 cents per dozen. comes the special pesach mashgiach and adds another .25 cents per dozen. the same goes for the tasters choice coffee. they literally stopped their regular production for 2 hours and made a special batch under the eyes of the volover mashgiach. tasters choice charges, the volover charges and beleivev it or not, the ou also charges another 10 cents for each label.
whats interesting though is that of the thirty or so rabonim that have signed the kol koreh we don’t see even one ruv that is also a baal machshir!
Yosher Koach to all the Rabbonim and to Dov Hikind – a hero!
Chaya Lipschutz
It is not the store owners fault. If you are going to be more machmir about certain products during pesach then you have to be willing to pay the price for it. If the OU says a $3.00 can of a particular coffee is good without a ‘P’ on it, that is good enough for me. I don’t need to go buy the $10 can of coffee. If you want a particular rav hamchshir to stamp his seal… you have to be willing to pay for it.
It stinks, but there is not enough volume of sales to spread those costs around to enough people. Ive seen products with 4 different kashrus organizations stamp on it. All reliable and widely accepeted… so why 4? Why do I have to pay 20-30% more? The OU was good enough for me… but I have to pay extra so the Rav of Forty-whatever Street can be paid $20,000 for his approval? A complete racket!