Vaad Kosher

Vaad information for the United States and all around the world. A Vaad provides Kosher certification wherever you are!

We help connect companies that are looking for kosher supervision with Vaads from around the world. Having a Kosher symbol on your label opens up your product up to an entire new market.

The Hebrew meaning of Vaad is committee. It is often used nowadays as a short form of Vaad ha Rabanim which means council of Rabbis. In Israel, prior to independence (from 1920 – 1948), the Vaad Leumi or the JNC (Jewish National Council) was the primary governing body.

To see a list of Vaads and kosher symbols from around the world, please visit the list of Vaads section.

If you know of a Vaad that is not listed, please let us know!

In general, vaads are committees composed of prominent members of the community who help set standards and rules. They often include Rabbis and laymen. They usually address issues such as Kosher standards and certification (vaad haKashruth), legal issues (Bet Din), proper burial (Chevra Kadisha), educational services, etc.

The highest council guiding the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe, from 1580 to 1764 was the Council of the Four Lands (Vaad Arba Aaratzot). They included the regions of Western & Central Poland, Eastern Poland, Ruthenia and the Western Ukraine. The Vaad was basically divided into subgroups, the religious and judicial arm, that was headed by Rabbis, and the administrative arm, headed by community leaders, that dealt with charity and interfacing with the country’s government. This was especially important in the matter of taxation.

In the land of Israel, from 1920 until 1948, the Vaad Leumi was responsible for interfacing with the British and Arabs. It also had educational, health, welfare, and communal rolls. Eventually, due to external threats to Jewish survival, it also became involved with defense and security.

Presently, there are over one thousand Vaads, across the globe. They are usually associated with geographical locations, such as cities, states or countries. As a rule of thumb, the greater the Jewish population, the greater the number of Vaads. Very often, these Vaads are involved with certifying foods as Kosher. They send individuals, known as Mashgiachs, to establishments that serve or manufacture food, to make sure that the food is prepared in accordance with Kosher laws. The various branches of Judaism (such as Orthodox or Conservative) often have their own Vaads. Each of these Vaads have their Kosher symbols.

Some of these symbols are: