Postville
Postville is a small town located in the state of Iowa in the United States. This town is home to the largest kosher slaughterhouse in the world, around which a Jewish community and a Chassidic yeshiva were established.
The Slaughterhouse[edit | edit source]
In 5747 (1987), R' Avraham Aharon Rubashkin established a cattle and poultry slaughterhouse in Postville called Agriprocessors. He purchased the slaughterhouse facility from a network of factories that was on the verge of bankruptcy, and he renovated and kashered the plant. The slaughterhouse was managed by his son, R' Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin, and developed to become the largest kosher meat plant in the world.
The slaughterhouse was sold after the arrest of R' Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin and is currently owned by the philanthropist R' Friedman. It employs a large team of shochtim and bodkim (ritual slaughterers and inspectors), most of whom are Chabad chassidim. It supplies kosher meat to hundreds of thousands of Jews.
Some of the slaughterhouse products were under the supervision of the Beis Din of Crown Heights (under the name "Shor Habar") until Adar I 5784 (2024), when the Beis Din removed its kashrus certification.
Rubashkin's Arrest[edit | edit source]
In-depth article - Rubashkin's Arrest
On the 7th of Iyar 5768 (May 12, 2008), Rabbi Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin, the plant manager, was arrested along with seven hundred workers who comprised half of the plant's workforce.
On the 9th of Tammuz 5770 (June 21, 2010), Rubashkin was sentenced to 27 years in prison and fined $31 million to be paid immediately.
On Zos Chanukah 5778 (December 20, 2017), the President of the United States, Mr. Donald Trump, signed an order for his immediate release after serving eight years in prison, and "for the Jews there was light and joy."
Chabad Community[edit | edit source]
Following the opening of the slaughterhouse, which was established in a location remote from any other settlement, a Jewish community was founded with educational institutions, a yeshiva, a mikvah tahara, three synagogues, a grocery store for kosher food needs, a pizza shop, and everything needed for maintaining Jewish life.
There are three synagogues in the area, one for all Chassidic groups (Nusach Sefard) and two more Chabad synagogues, one called Achdus Yisrael where the mikvah is located, and the second called Beis L'Chaim U'livracha.
The Yeshiva in Postville[edit | edit source]
In-depth article - Tomchei Tmimim Postville
A large and small Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva of Postville named Beis Shalom operates in the area, with a talented and chassidic staff. Every year during bein hazmanim (semester break), a summer yeshiva is held at the yeshiva.
See Also[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
- Shock: Rubashkin sentenced to 27 years in prison
- Court rejects request for retrial for Rubashkin
- Chassidim and the nations of the world: This is how Jews live in Postville