Baltimore, MD - Sept. 27, 2024  -  With the approach of Rosh Hashana, when we partake of fresh fruits and other traditional foods, STAR-K reminds everyone about the need to check many of the items carefully prior to use.

Checking instructions for all Rosh Hashana Simanim are listed below.

For your convenience, we are also including information and links about Yoshon, as well as the Halachos of Fasting, Schach Guidance and Sukkos-related videos — basically all the information you need to prepare for the Yamim Tovim.

STAR-K wishes everyone a k'siva v'chasima tova and a sweet new year!

ROSH HASHANA SIMANIM CHECKING INSTRUCTIONS

APPLES/BEETS/CARROTS/POMEGRANATES: No checking required.

DATES*: Open a few dates in each container and visually inspect. If no insects can be seen, the rest may be eaten without further checking.

FIGS*: Open each one and check carefully for infestation (typically wasps, beetles or worms). NOTE: Figs are particularly difficult to check.

 * Checking instructions for dates and figs apply even if they have a hechsher, due to the possibility of improper storage.

GOLDEN RAISINS: 

Should not be used at this time due to infestation and the difficulty involved in checking them. (There is no concern with red (black) raisins or currants. Keep these properly sealed and store in a cool dry place, as improper storage can lead to infestation.)

BLACK-EYED PEAS:

Preparation

  • Dried peas should first be boiled in water. After they have been fully cooked, allow the peas to soak in the water for 2-3 hours. The peas will then swell and the peel will become translucent. Then check as instructed below. 
  • Canned or frozen peas may be checked straight out of the can/bag; there is no need to boil or soak.

Checking Instructions

  1. Inspect the peas for holes or dark-colored stains, as these may indicate an insect beneath the thin peel. 
  2. If there is a dark spot on the peel, remove the thin skin and check if there is a cavity with a bug in it.

NOTE: The black "eye" spot is not a sign of infestation. Similarly, orange-colored stains on the surface are not signs of infestation. Only dark or black stains are of concern.

LEEKS: 

Examine the outside for any leaf miner trails. Check in between the layers for thrips or other insects. 

SPINACH:

Check using the Thrip Cloth Method.

THRIP CLOTH METHOD:

  1. Wash the produce well. Fill a basin with warm water and a non-toxic dishwasher detergent so the water feels "slippery."
  2. Add produce to the basin and agitate vigorously in the solution for 15 seconds.
  3. Remove the produce from the basin and shake excess water over the basin. Set produce aside.
  4. Line a colander with a thrip cloth and pour the water through it.
  5. Place thrip cloth over a light box and check for insects.
  6. If insects are found, repeating steps 1-5. This can be repeated up to 3 times. If insects are still found on the third try, the produce should not be used.

GREEN CABBAGE:

For fresh cabbage: Separate all leaves and wash well. Then check using the Thrip Cloth Method.

For stuffed cabbage: After freezing the head, defrost and separate all leaves and wash them well. Then check using the Thrip Cloth Method.

For green cabbage only: If one does not have a thrip cloth, cabbage may be checked carefully leaf by leaf, using a lightbox or under a strong light.

HONEY: Pure honey does not need a hechsher (Clover, Wildflower, Blossom, Orange, etc., are types of honey, not flavors). Flavored honey needs a hechsher.

Click on any of the links below for downloadable PDFs and for additional Yom Tov-related information.

PDF of the Rosh Hashana Simanim Checking Guide

STAR-K Insect Checking Chart

PDF of What Do Bugs Look Like Chart

PDF of Baltimore Establishments Yoshon/Pas Yisroel Chart

STAR-K Yoshon Info & Yoshon Alert Sign-up

Kashrus Kurrents Article about the Halachos of Fasting

STAR-K Yamim Noraim & Sukkos Video Channel

5785 Schach Mat Guidance

PINNED
Scroll for more news
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 9, 2026 - Sample 354 is bringing the American Dream Mall warehouse sale tour to Baltimore with a one-day pre-Yom-Tov event offering 70-80% off spring and summer styles. Shoppers can browse thousands of items from leading modest fashion brands, including clothing for women, teens, and children, with sizes XS through plus. The sale will also feature a newly organized system with merchandise arranged by size to make shopping easier. The event is taking place Sunday, March 15, from 12 PM-6 PM at Reisterstown Road Plaza, 6516 Reisterstown Road (next to Five Below). For more information, email samplesale354@gmail.com or call/text (845) 608-2997.
PINNED
Scroll for more news
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 2026 -  Are you nervous about Kashering for Pesach; unsure you will get it done properly? Are you afraid the water will ruin your cabinets and create a mess in your kitchen? Are you moving into a new house and need the kitchen kashered; stress-free? Click here: https://t.ly/UknmP     For the last seven years, The Kashering Konnection, has been servicing the Baltimore and DC communities. Coordinated through Star-K Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Sholom Tendler, experienced, professional Mashgichim are available to come to your home and ensure an easy, mess-free and 100% properly-done Kashering of your kitchen and appliances. From ovens to stoves, counters to sinks, The Kashering Konnection can help you prepare for Pesach in an easy and affordable w...
PINNED
Scroll for more news
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 9, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Ephraim Himelstein, z’l, father of Mr. Uri (Meira) Himelstein.Shiva is being observed at 383 McKinley Street, West Hempstead, NY. Minyanim: West Hempstead Synagogue Zichron Kedoshim, 271 Dogwood Ave, West Hempstead, NY 11552 Shacharis - 7:00 am Mincha /Maariv - 6:45 pm Nichum Aveilim:  9:30 am - 1:00 pm2:00 pm - 6:00 pm 8:00 pm to 9:30 pmBALTIMORE from Friday: Shiva will be observed at 3330-C Clarks Lane beginning Friday Shacharis through Sunday: Shacharis: 7:15AM Mincha: Erev Shabbos: 1:50PMMaariv: Motzaei Shabbos: 8:03PM  בלע המות לנצח   
PINNED
Scroll for more news
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 11, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Hanna Berger, a’h, mother of Tomer Hamami (Rachel Kurinsky), Oren Hamami, Barak (Megan) Sanford, and sister of David Sanford. The levayah will be held at Levinson’s today, March 11, 2026, at 2:30PM. Kevura will take place at Beth Jacob Cemetery - 2901 Baltimore Blvd Finksburg, MD 21048 Shiva will be observed at 6010 Stuart Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21209.   The family respectfully requests no visitors before 10:30 AM, from 12:30–1:30 PM, from 5:30–6:30 PM, or after 8:30 PM.  Mincha-Maariv will take place daily at 6:55 PM.   בלע המות לנצח   
Read More
PINNED
Scroll for more news
 Baltimore, MD – Mar. 9, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira Sybil Scheiner, a’h, mother of Julie (Bruce) Fried Shiva will be observed at 36-14 High St., Fairlawn, NJ, 07410.BALTIMORE:Julie will conclude Shiva in Baltimore on Sunday, March 15th, at 6302 Shelrick Drive, Baltimore, MD  21209Visiting: 10:00 AM – Noon, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM   בלע המות לנצח   
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 12, 2026 - As concerns regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement are rising across the political spectrum, Mayor Brandon Scott discussed the topic on the “C4 and Bryan Nehman” show. “For people that have just been living here and working here peacefully for all these years, paying taxes, sending their kids to school, helping with jobs that other folks don’t want to do, why would we be removing these folks?” Scott said. When asked if he is expecting some type of ICE surge coming to the city, Scott said, “We’re going to be prepared in Baltimore to do whatever we can to not have some of the stuff that we’ve seen around the country.” Scott also made sure to address crime concerns and the crime redu...
Senate Republicans are accusing Senate Democrats of trying to rip apart the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) piece by piece after again blocking a bid to reopen the agency. Little has changed in the stalemate over the last 27 days of the partial shutdown, and communication breakdowns are dominating what could be opportunities for negotiations. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his caucus are still demanding stringent reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, while Senate Republicans are dug in against their top demands. Throughout the day, Senate Democrats tried to offer individual bills to fund pieces and parts of DHS. A fired-up Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., accused Senate Democrats of trying to rip the agency apart at a mom...
Parsha Hashavua
Daily Dvar Halacha – Mar. 12. / Adar 23. Parshas Hachodesh

Read More
Washngton, D.C. - Mar. 12, 2026 - Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman said that Israel should kill Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. “Well, they should kill him, too - hopefully he is significantly wounded,” Fetterman said Wednesday. “And if he does recover, you know, I do absolutely support having Israel to just eliminate him, you know, along with any other parts of the leadership.” Last month, Israel and the U.S. conducted a joint strike on Iran due to concerns about the Middle Eastern country having missiles. As a result of the strikes, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed and his son, Mojtaba Khamenei replaced him Fetterman also said the leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas need to be killed too. “I ...
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 12, 2026 - I was recently walking by an area that was under construction and I noticed a yellow and black caution sign nearby the work zone, which read as follows: Please excuse our appearance while we’re under construction.I immediately took a picture of the sign, so I wouldn’t forget about it, knowing with full certainty that I was going to passionately write about this terribly ugly signage. Now, the sign itself wasn’t ugly per se, rather, the message it portrayed is what was ugly and should be frowned up.To say it bluntly, I couldn’t disagree more with the verbiage of this sign. When something is under construction, that is not a reason to feel the need to announce to the public an apology to “please excuse our appearance.” When ...
SimchasSimchas Simcha
Police are responding to reports of an active shooter and a car driven into the building at Temple Israel, a Reform temple containing a school, in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, multiple federal law enforcement sources told CNN. “We are aware of an active security incident at Temple Israel. Law enforcement are responding. Our Jewish agencies are currently in precautionary lockdown We ask community members to stay away from the area at this time,” the Jewish Federation of Detroit said in a social media post. The incident prompted Bloomfield Hills Schools to go into “secure mode,” the Bloomfield Township Police Department said in a social media post. West Bloomfield Township is about 25 miles northwest of Detroit.
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 12, 2026 - At 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen will hold a committee hearing to investigate the surge in BGE gas bills. The hearing will examine factors contributing to skyrocketing BGE gas bills, as well as BGE’s gas safety oversight and pipeline inspection procedures. This hearing follows heightened concerns about both affordability and safety failures. The news release states: “In December, the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) found that BGE incurred ‘substantial overruns of its approved budgets’ and said that the company’s request in its 2023 reconciliation filing for more than $150 million in total rate increases, including more than $70 million for gas service — on top of tens of m...
Nichum AveilimNichum Aveilim Aveilim
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 12, 2026 - Drivers in the Baltimore region are paying thousands each year because of rough roads, traffic congestion and crashes, according to a new report from the transportation research nonprofit TRIP. The analysis found motorists in the Baltimore metro area pay about $3,017 per year in added costs tied to deteriorating roads, delays and traffic crashes linked to inadequate safety features. Statewide, those problems cost drivers about $12.5 billion annually, the report found. Baltimore’s road conditions rank among the worst in Maryland. The report found 41% of major roads in the Baltimore area are in poor condition and 21% are in mediocre condition, meaning more than half fall below good condition. That’s significantly worse than other parts of the st...
Iranian regime television on Thursday broadcast the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei's first message since his appointment The message was not delivered by Khamenei himself, but was instead read by a narrator on the backdrop of an archive photo of the leader, who has still not made a public appearance. The message stated that Iran will not cease avenging those it referred to as "shahids" (martyrs), especially the "shahids of the school in Minab." In addition, it was stated in the name of Khamenei that the Strait of Hormuz must remain closed. The new leader has not been seen in public since the war with Israel and the United States began. During the strike that killed his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba was injured. According to foreign reports, the injuries inclu...
Job Listings Jobs
Please daven for the Refua Shleima of Gdalyahu ben‑Yeshua, He was stabbed four times and is now undergoing heart surgery Ramat Gan, Israel - Mar. 12, 2026 - The head of the Ramat Gan Religious Council, Adv. Gedalyahu Ben Shimon, a senior Shas Party official and member of the Bnei Brak City Council, was severely wounded on Thursday in a stabbing on Bialik Street in Ramat Gan A Magen David Adom (MDA) medical team that was dispatched to the scene provided medical care and took the 47-year-old victim to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. The police arrested a 20-year-old Arab from Jatt at the scene and are investigating the background. The Shin Bet is involved in the investigation. According to eye-witnesses, the suspect shouted "Allahu Akbar" during the act. Senior paramedic from the motorc...
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 12, 2026 – 11:03 AM (BJL) Traffic lights at the intersection of Reisterstown Road and Slade are currently flashing.  h/t: BMore Traffic
Classifieds Classifieds
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 12, 2026 -  Maryland public schools appear to be struggling. Despite billions of additional dollars going to public education, many key academic outcomes have worsened. What is the problem? One long-time educational advocate says the problem is well known, but Maryland’s leaders are not willing to address it. “It's the most important issue of our day,” said Jeanne Allen, founder of the non-profit, The Center for Education Reform. “We have seen in public education, there is a continual understanding and increasing appreciation that there is a problem.” For more than 30 years, Allen has been advocating for increasing educational opportunities for students and families. “There's now a renewed appreciation of the pat...
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 12, 2026 - Explore the Latest Issue of Baltimore Jewish Home. Click on the graphic below
Chesed Chesed
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 11, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Moshe Hoffman (Baltimore) and Chani Meer (Chicago) on their engagement. Mazel Tov to Mordechai & Leah Hoffman (Baltimore) and Chaim & Hadassah Meer (Chicago)Mazel Tov to grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Leib and Judy Hoffman יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!   
More articles