One Year After the AgriProcessors Raid: Recap of the Anniversary

This past Tuesday was the one-year anniversary of the government raid at AgriProcessors in Postville, Iowa. Click here to read my initial overview of the anniversary, and click here to check out my interview with Failed Messiah's Shmarya Rosenberg. (The latter was featured on both Failed Messiah and The Jew & The Carrot.)

Uri L'Tzedek's Ethical Seal
On Tuesday, Orthodox social justice group Uri L'Tzedek launched its Tav HaYosher ethical seal, which I mentioned in December, in New York. Six restaurants and one kosher supermarket currently carry the seal.

JTA reported, "Uri L’Tzedek developed the Tav HaYosher project last summer to shine a spotlight on kosher restaurants that treat their workers well, pay fair wages, give adequate work breaks and maintain a safe work environment."

Uri L'Tzedek's Rachel Rosenthal told The Jew & The Carrot, "Our goal is to eventually ensure that every kosher establishment in New York is upholding not only the highest standards of kashrut, but also the highest standards of moral and ethical behavior."

Lag B'Omer Parade
The anniversary coincided with the holiday of Lag B'Omer. Many members of Postville's Jewish community marched in a parade, which has become an annual tradition.

Failed Messiah responded, "[T]here was no religious reason that prevented Postville Jews from participation in most of yesterday's anniversary events. Lag Ba'Omer is not a major Jewish holiday and it carries with it no prohibitions on work or participation in secular events."

Interfaith Prayer Service
According to The Gazette, a rabbi sounded a shofar at an interfaith prayer service and said, "May the sounding of this shofar inspire us to work as one on this day to bring G-d’s blessings of healing, freedom and joy."

The paper also noted, "Approximately $1 million has been donated by individuals and organizations, both locally and from around the country, to support families affected by the raid." (Hat tip: Failed Messiah)