Moscow Jewish University’s ‘Machon Chamesh’ institution for young women, directed by Rabbi Avraham and Frumi Bekerman, recently hosted an interactive educational program that introduced students to the laws and meaning of kashrut through hands-on workshops, demonstrations, discussions, and creative activities.
The Kosher Fest festival was organized as a series of themed stations, each focusing on a different area of kosher observance. At the “Milky Oy Vey” station, Rabbi Azarya Shaulov explained the halachic distinctions between supervised and non-supervised milk, as well as which animals produce milk permitted according to Jewish law. University chef Yitzchak demonstrated dishes made with goat milk, and the participants were given the opportunity to milk a goat themselves.
At “Kitchen in da House,” Rabbi Moshe Rochlin offered practical guidance on preparing kosher food in a non-kosher kitchen and keeping kosher while traveling. The “FISHka” station, led by Nesia Bushan, focused on the signs of kosher fish, with participants observing live fish, taking part in a fishing activity, and tasting kosher fish dishes.
The laws of kosher meat were presented at the “Now Comes the Meat” station by shochet Rabbi Menahem Bushan, who demonstrated the knives used for shechita and explained key principles of kosher meat preparation. At “THE Beetles,” university mashgiach Galit Rachel Lubarskaya showed participants how greens and grains are checked for insects under a microscope, highlighting an important part of kashrut in the home.
Additional stations explored kosher certification, nutrition, sweets, and common questions in Jewish law. Rabbi Emmanuel Mishiev spoke about different types of kashrut providers and the importance of choosing products with reliable kosher certification. Laura Shamuilova led nutrition-related experiments, Ita Shulkina guided students in preparing kosher sweets, and Rabbi Boruch Goldenberg led an interactive question-and-answer session. Rabbi David Ariel Shapiro addressed the spiritual dimension of kashrut and its influence on a person’s inner life.
The program also included a creative media station, where students recorded short videos to share positive messages about kashrut in a format familiar to young audiences. The event was hosted by Rabbi Michoel Stavropolsky, whose music and warm presentation helped create an energetic and welcoming atmosphere.
At the conclusion of the festival, participants filled out questionnaires and were encouraged to take on positive resolutions connected to kosher observance. A gift auction was also held, with prizes sponsored by Naomi Kostusenko, Chaya Rapaport, Frady Lerman, Kosher Gourmet, community women who purchased certificates for Elyon Café, and Lyubov Koifman.
Organizers expressed appreciation to the entire university team, especially Mrs. Frumie Bekerman and Sara Bayazova, as well as the Machon Chamesh campus and dormitory staff, who helped coordinate the large-scale program.
