The recent push by the Rabbinical Kashrus Oversight Council (RKOC) to bring Rockland County’s kosher food establishments under their control isn’t the unifying gesture it claims to be; rather, it’s a clear attempt at monopolizing our community’s kashrus standards. The RKOC is selling this initiative as a means of “standardization” and “unity,” but the real impact is nothing short of a power grab, imposing unnecessary oversight on an already well-regulated market.

One of the most alarming elements of this initiative is RKOC’s insistence that the community should boycott any establishment that doesn’t fall under their umbrella. This demand is manipulative, positioning RKOC as the only “trustworthy” option, while sowing seeds of distrust toward the longstanding, reputable kashrus organizations already serving our community. Boycotting independent establishments is a strong-arm tactic, meant to pressure food businesses into joining RKOC or risk losing community support. This approach feels more like the behavior of a controlling monopoly than that of a genuine, community-centered organization.

In fact, any establishments that signed up with the RKOC has only seen them once, and not even twice, since doing so, and therefore the oversight is scant if not nonexistent. It’s certainly not up to the normal standards of kashrus that these establishments already employ.

The RKOC does not even show up to enforce their non-halachic based standards that they contrived.

By saying that an establishment needs the RKOC, they are saying that the existing kashrus which is accepted by everyone, is somehow not sufficient!

Let’s talk about the RKOC’s claim that their oversight is currently “free” for participating establishments. While this sounds benevolent on the surface, history tells us that such “free” services often come with a catch. If RKOC gains control over Rockland County’s kosher certifications, who’s to say they won’t start charging fees or requesting “donations” later on? And if not financial, the power itself is a significant gain—turning RKOC into a gatekeeper for kosher food in Rockland County, able to dictate terms and wield influence over every establishment that joins them.

And why do we need RKOC oversight at all? Rockland County already boasts a robust system of kosher supervision, with respected organizations that have earned the community’s trust over years. These agencies ensure high kashrus standards and uphold the values we care about, without forcing themselves on establishments or introducing needless bureaucracy. RKOC’s intervention is, at best, redundant, and, at worst, a divisive tactic meant to undermine and overshadow the good work of existing kashrus agencies. We’ve survived thinking without them, and none of us are going to gehenom by eating from reputable restaurants with widely recognized hashgachos.

If RKOC is so insistent on oversight, perhaps it’s they who should be overseen. A Vaad created solely to police established agencies raises questions: What do they gain by positioning themselves above the organizations already in place? Should we accept a layer of unnecessary control simply because it’s wrapped in frum language and promises of “unity”? If anything, maybe we should form a separate council to monitor RKOC itself. Perhaps we need a Vaad to oversee all the Vaads!

This initiative by RKOC feels like a solution in search of a problem. Rockland County’s kashrus standards have been upheld well without them, and the addition of RKOC adds nothing of true value to the community. Rather than fostering “unity,” their efforts risk dividing us, imposing monopolistic control on local food establishments, and disrupting a system that has long worked effectively.

Our kehila deserves better than a thinly veiled power grab. We need transparency, collaboration, and true trust in our kashrus practices. It’s time to stand together against this unnecessary intervention. Let’s reject the RKOC’s overreach, preserve the autonomy of our trusted establishments, and protect Rockland from the influence of those who would control our food and businesses for their gain.

Let’s say no to the RKOC’s attempts to monopolize our kashrus oversight. Our town and establishments deserve freedom, not control. Together, we can ensure that Rockland remains a place of choice, trust, and authentic halachic  values.

Finally, everything RKOC stands for flies in the face of actual halachic principles. Halacha does not endorse monopolistic tactics, divisive policies, or unnecessary displays of power. By claiming to uphold standards through force and manipulation, RKOC’s actions are an antithesis to the values they purport to protect. This is not going l’fnim meshuras hadin. This reeks of the efforts of Chasidei Shotim.

Let’s rally to defend our community from this overreach and preserve the integrity of our cherished halachic traditions.