Urgent Advice Re: Kosher

[ilovelovemydog]

Really long story, but my 15 year old cousin is staying overnight (She's travelling from the US and her connecting flight to Italy was cancelled).

We are not Jewish and she's very observant Orthodox Jew.

Obviously she knows we don't keep kosher, but what can I feed her? Are there any other restrictions I should know about?

I don't want to offend her (know the basics, no shell fish, pork, meat and dairy, etc)

Gosh. I don't know how strict she is.

I used to work with a very strict orthodox bloke, and he would eat fruit.

Otherwise, anything else in your house could be contaminated, iyswim. Your cutlery and plates are all problematic.

I would get in (to be safe):

• a range of fruit
• maybe some disposable cutlery etc
• some vegetarian food, maybe? Ideally Kosher, but can you get any where you are?

Agree with NQC about the disposable stuff.
Fruit and veg should be ok but everything else could be a problem.

Most big supermarkets do have Kosher sections but they can be small depending on where you are.

Am in total panic now! Have disposable plates (Scooby Doo) and cups. Will need to get cutlery.

What about bedding - will this be OK?

Bedding etc should be fine - it's just food & drink which are a problem

what NQC said

also, she might only want kosher milk, so maybe get herb tea or don;t be surprised if she delcines milk too

if you can get any kosher food, then great, but all shops will most likely be closed know

just ask her what she will eat and drink!

also, make sure your husband does not go to kiss her hello, or shake hands or offer any physical contact.

and wish her happy chanukah !

If you go with vegan and non-alcoholic the food should be fine. Very observant Jews keep completely different sets of kitchen utensils for meat and dairy, or else you can deal with it by boiling the utensils I think for a few minutes, but the disposable plates etc is the simplest thing for a quick visit.

Yeah, vegan is safer than vegetarian.

Glad to hear you have disposable, that should be fine, certainly better than your cutlery.

It's very good of you to make an effort, I'm not sure what the dispensations are like for exceptions in Judaism ... poor girl, stranded so far from home.

First of all, don't panic! Saving a life trumps all in Judaism, so she will eat something at your house, although it is really nice of you to go through the effort.

Disposable plates and cutlery are a good start. Boiling yours won't cut it, they need to be blessed by a Rabbi!

Fruit is good, anything vegetarian/vegan is good.

And don't worry about offending her. I am sure she will be grateful for any effort you make.

Ok, so have been shopping.

Got:

1. a new knife
2. cutting board
3. bottled water
4. veg peeler
5. new pan
6. fruit and vegan sausages
7. washing up liquid and new sponges
8. bread
9. herb tea
10. new mug

Hope that covers it!

Oh, and thanks Lulu. I totally forgot it was Hannukah! Got her something small, so hope this is OK.

Wow, you're a good host!
You've done more than I would, especially at such short notice.

you are an angel , ilove, am sure she will be utterly delighted

You're a star, all this new stuff for her! She must be even more nervous than you are, poor thing.

Rev - yup. Great excuse to clean!

Now I understand why her family would always invite me and the kids over - it's sooo complicated... (lovely house they had - in Beverly Hills on the nice part. Outside pool... Oh, their kitchen was fabulous! 2 of everything, dishwasher, plates, refigerator, working spaces... all marble of course ) Actually not jealous at all, as they are such a lovely family...

Am finding a Rabbi now, so won't get caught out again! Am wondering if he could just 'bless this mess!'