Fwd: All-New Keeping It Kosher Podcast; Strong Need for Federal Security Funding; OU Kosher Mobile App Relaunch

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From: Shabbat Shalom <shabbatshalom@ounetwork.org>
Date: Thu, Mar 19, 2026, 5:01 PM
Subject: All-New Keeping It Kosher Podcast; Strong Need for Federal Security Funding; OU Kosher Mobile App Relaunch
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>

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Plus: How to Host an Inclusive Seder for All PARSHAT VAYIKRA March 20-21, 2026 / 3 Nisan 5786  FEATURED Tune In to the All-New Keeping It Kosher Podcast Join our kashrus experts as they go behind the scenes of food manufacturing, share fascinating real-world experiences, and dive into the questions that matter most to you — the kosher consumer. The first episode — launched just in time for Pesach — features OU Kosher COO Rabbi Moshe Elefant in conversation with our podcast host Rabbi Ezra Sarna, discussing everything you need to know about gebrokts. Watch Now How to Host an Inclusive Seder for All The Seder can be long and overwhelming, especially for guests with disabilities. Yachad's Managing Director of Communal Engagement Rebecca Mayer shares practical tips for making it a truly inclusive experience where everyone feels welcome. Read More Kosher-for-Pesach Products Find a Wider Audience OU Kosher As demand for gluten-free and health-conscious foods continues to rise, Pesach products are gaining popularity well beyond the holiday. In this Food Industry Executive feature, OU Kosher COO Rabbi Moshe Elefant shares why these products resonate year-round — and what their growing appeal means for the future of the industry. Read in Food Industry Executive Maot Chitim 2026/5786 As Pesach approaches, many families in our community are struggling to afford even the basics for yom tov. Last year, we raised over $160,000 to provide them with matzah, wine, and other holiday essentials. This year, the need is even greater. Together, we can ensure that families celebrate Pesach with dignity, simcha, and hope. Donate Now  AROUND THE OU OU Kosher OU Kosher Mobile App Relaunch Just in time for Pesach, the OU Kosher app has been relaunched with a fresh, user-friendly design and a range of powerful new features. Everything you already love is still there — and as always, it's free in both the Apple and Google app stores.   New features include: AI-powered barcode scanner for quick product lookup Updated beer and Yoshon lists Instant kashrus alerts — subscribe to stay informed A searchable library of curated articles Download the OU Kosher App: Available on the App Store Android App on Google Play OU Advocacy More Than Ever, We Need Stronger Federal Security Support After last week's attempted shooting at Temple Israel in Michigan, Nathan Diament, executive director of the OU Advocacy Center, urges Congress to boost funding for the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program, warning that political delays are leaving Jewish and other faith communities without the security support they urgently need. Read in The Hill OU Kosher Download the OU Guide to Pesach Our annual guide to everything you want or need to know about Pesach is available to download. From useful charts to engaging features and practical how-to's, the OU Guide to Pesach shares everything you need to know from Pesach prep through Sefirat HaOmer. Download Now 18Forty Transmitting the Jewish Story With Emotional Health In this episode of the 18Forty podcast, Yakov Danishefsky, a licensed clinical social worker and the author of The Attached Haggadah, explores the imperfect ways in which we transmit the Jewish story. Listen Now OU-JLIC A Siyum in the Dining Room A Columbia student recently celebrated the completion of Shas Mishnayot with a well-attended siyum hosted by JLIC. Torah doesn't just survive on college campus — it thrives. Read More  UPCOMING EVENTS OU Torah Something to Say at the Seder With Rabbi Aaron E. Glatt, MD Sunday, March 22, at 8:15 PM, in Woodmere, NY Learn More OU Kosher Men's Special Kashrus Shiurim Thursday March 26, at 12:15 PM, in Lakewood, NJ Learn More OU Israel's Kids' Kollel and OU SPIRIT Initiative Pre-Pesach Inter-Generational Learning Experience Sunday, March 29 at 5:30 PM (Israel) / 10:30 AM (Eastern) Register Now Halacha Initiatives and NASCK Men's Chevra Kadisha Leadership Conference Monday, April 27, in Edison, NJ Register Now SPIRIT and Fred And Rose Distenfeld OU Relief Missions New Orleans Mission for the 60+ Demographic Monday, May 11, to Sunday, May 17 Register Now  TORAH Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt"l Do You Care? Our parsha introduces us to the various offerings that were brought in the Temple, with extensive discussion about the korban chatat, the sin offering. These offerings were brought specifically for mistakes made, rather than for deliberate and malicious acts. Nonetheless, an offering is required as an act of atonement – for a mistake! Read More L'Kadsho Introduction to Issur Melacha Over the past few years, we've discussed the details of many melachos. Now, let's review the general concepts of melacha with Rav Doniel Schreiber! Plus, Rabbi Shmuel Silber continues the laws of getting ready for Shabbos, and more! Introduction to Issur Melacha - Learn Now More on L'Kadsho Rabbi Menachem Genack To Sacrifice One's Self What are we sacrificing when we bring a sacrifice, and how can we accomplish that goal today? Read in Hebrew Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman For My Sake The bond that began with "Anochi" at Har Sinai continues across time. Even when the relationship falters, the covenant does not disappear. Hashem remains committed to the promise and to the future it is meant to bring about. Read More Dr. Erica Brown The Art of Order and Chaos As we turn more pages, we begin to realize that the Haggadah is far from an ordered telling of the story. It is retelling how the Exodus has been told before. Read More <