Retain or Reject: The Adherence to the Kosher Laws in a Canadian City

This article investigates the Jewish community of Windsor-Essex’s adherence to the kosher laws. In this study, 50 participants were interviewed to determine whether they consumed pork, shellfish, separated meat and dairy, purchased products with a hechsher, and dined at non-kosher restaurants. The interview results indicate a mixed position on pork and shellfish with a near majority consuming the latter. A plurality of participants ensured the separation of meat and dairy. There were few participants who only purchased products with a hechsher. All participants said that they will frequent non-kosher restaurants, but some noted that they will limit what they consume. To justify these results, the researcher argues that kosher adherence will correlate slightly with age, but more with the education level of the participant. The results should also be seen in light of the decline of the elite version of Judaism and increase in individual autonomy.