Rubashkin Spokesman Menachem Lubinsky Lies Again

This time, it's in Hamodia.

Note Lubinsky blames PETA, the UFCW Union, and Conservative rabbis for the ICE raid, as if they controlled 12 federal agencies including the US Departments of Justice and Homeland Security.

Also note Lubinsky lies about the USDA response to the PETA video, omits many other Rubashkin troubles, and claims Rubashkin dropped the KAJ when the KAJ dropped Rubashkin. (And also here.)

Lubinsky – here speaking to an ultra-Orthodox audience – claimed Agriprocessors production was way down in the weeks after the raid, even though he has steadily denied this when speaking to secular media and non-Orthodox Jewish media.

Later in the piece he says production is now "approaching" pre-raid levels, yet Agriprocessors can barely staff one shift per day.

He also says prices will go up because of the raid, and makes the absurd claim that Agriprocessors has until now held prices down, when what Agriprocessors has really done is undersell its competition until its competition pulls out of a market or goes out of business. Then Agriprocessors raises its prices.

Lubinsky also claims Agriprocessors sales are up 10% to 12%, which would seem to be an impossibility when Agriprocessors' production is so low.

There is much more here Lubinsky has lied about, but I'll only take the time to mention one more.

Lubinsky again fails to tell his readers – the vast majority of whom do not have access to the Internet and do not read secular newspapers or watch television – that he is a paid consultant working for Agriprocessors. And Hamodia – showing its complete lack of objectivity and ethics – does not append a notice to warn readers of Lubinsky's conflict of interest.

What is most notable about Rubashkin, his rabbis and his PR people is how they all lie. It is if the truth were something entirely malleable. For them, God's seal is sheker (falsity, lies), not truth:

Kashrus Gains Threatened by Recent Events at Agriporcessors
By Menachem Lubinsky

Reprinted with permission of Hamodia

The explosion of kosher foods in America, specifically over the last decade, is well documented. Perhaps the most important gain is the accessibility of kosher food to Jews all over America and not just in major Jewish centers. Even as late as the early ‘90s, chareidi Jews who lived outside of the major cities had to travel long distances for cholov Yisrael and glatt kosher products. That has largely changed as the nation’s supermarkets, and, of late, discount chains, have opened their doors to kosher food; the beneficiaries have been the smaller kehillos all over America.

A major player in that expansion was Agriprocessors, based in Postville, Iowa, and owned by the family of Aaron Rubashkin. The Rubashkins have invested in the technology to prolong shelf life, so that meat and poultry could be shipped to even small markets.Their products are currently available in 37 of the 50 states, and in such chains as Albertson’s, H.E. Butt Grocery Co., Kroger, Schnuck and Wal- Mart, as well as all of the large chains in the big cities. While it is true that many non-Orthodox Jews buy the Agri products, the widespread availability of their products has made life easier for all of the frum Jews who live in smaller communities from coast to coast.

The company’s troubles began more than three years ago with the release of a clandestine video by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the extremist animal rights group that one can see demonstrating in major cities against fur coats and many other similar causes. The video is alleged to show the abuse of animals at the Agri plant. The USDA, which monitors the plant and has a team of more than 30 inspectors on site, never closed the plant for even one hour and never corroborated the video. Nevertheless, Agri improved procedures to avoid the perception of any tzaar baal hachaim (which certainly the large team of Rabbanim and shochtim would not condone), which was subsequently supported by Temple Grandin, one of the nation’s leading experts and advocates for humane slaughter. To date, Agri has passed five more independent audits, not to speak of various supermarket chains that do their own audits.

The PETA incident triggered an onslaught of negative press, largely inspired by Conservative Jews, led by Rabbi Maurice Allen of Minneapolis [sic], who made numerous demands on the company, the USDA notwithstanding, and introduced a novel approach to kashrus, a Heksher Tzedek that would confirm that plants like Agri not only abide by kashrus laws, but also protect the environment and treat animals and workers well. The Heksher Tzedek was immediately dismissed by the OU, the major certifier at Agri, as well as many other Orthodox groups. But the Heksher Tzedek became the rallying cry for left-wing Conservative and even Reform Jews, who never really had an affinity with kashrus.

Meanwhile Agri faced another formidable opponent in the UFCW, a labor union known for its strong-arm tactics in forcing similar businesses into submission. At any given time, the UFCW is in a bitter dispute with some food entity and most probably being sued. Agri and its labor force have refused to come under the Union, with the workers voting repeatedly not to unionize. The Union would make Agri “pay,” and their tactics extended even to Jewish communities in Boro Park and Flatbush, who received automated phone calls about the “safety” of Agri’s products. When the company made a change in its hechsher from KAJ (which still stands behind all products produced during its watch up until mid-April) to that of Rabbi M. Weissmandl, in addition to the OU, the Union launched a campaign suggesting that there were kashrus issues at Agri. In addition to the phone calls, they placed ads in the Jewish media.

Then came May 12th, when almost 1,000 law enforcement officials from a variety of federal, state, and local agencies raided the Agriprocessors plant in Postville, Iowa. The affidavit that supported the raid focused on undocumented workers, but it also included incredible charges of factories for illegal substances, abuse of workers (including one affidavit of a worker who claimed he was tied up by a rabbi), weapons and bombs being present in the plant, and more. The raid resulted in 390 arrests of undocumented workers, including one shochet who was released after 5 weeks when the government admitted that his documents were in order.

The raid raised some important questions: Why was Agriprocessors targeted when it is widely known that the livestock industry uses such workers extensively? In fact, the government had previously raided other plants, albeit not on the scope of the Agri raid. With 19 million illegals and a cloudy policy at best, why was Agri singled out? Who was behind all of these wild allegations that were added to the main focus of the affidavit? Some immediately concluded that it had the fingerprints of the anti-Agri cabal, consisting of the PETA people, Union officials, and the left-wing Jewish groups. No one could recall such a formidable opposition to kashrus in the annals of American Jewish history.

The reaction was swift and devastating. The liberal Jewish media embarked on a feeding frenzy with story after story of abuse and negligence by Agri. The JTA ran an almost daily update. Many liberal Jewish journalists showed up in Postville to obtain any information they could. They even went into the local church to find any Spanish-speaking person who could relate how they were abused at Agri. (The reality is that Agri is single-handedly responsible for keeping up the economy in Postville, and has done much to contribute to the infrastructure there, as well as the welfare of its workers.) A liberal Orthodox Jewish fringe, also using the name Tzedek, gathered 1,300 signatures and called for a boycott. The Heksher Tzedek people resurfaced. The leader of Reform called for an investigation of all kashrus.

Nonetheless, the May 12th events have had an enormous impact on the supply of kosher meat and poultry throughout the country. Although it resumed production the day after the raid, Agri was only able to produce a fraction of pre-raid numbers. It would not be easy to replace 390 workers overnight. For the first few days, there was enough in inventory to meet demand, but within a week, shortages were reported in many parts of the country. Another surprise also hit consumers: price increases. Agri had, over the years, managed to keep prices down, but now, with shortages, more expensive labor and general increases in commodity costs, the kosher consumer is looking at steep increases in the next few weeks.

Under enormous pressure from a variety of sources, the Rubashkins announced that they would hire a new compliance officer and also embark on a search to find a new CEO. The new compliance officer turned out to be Jim Martin, a former U.S. Attorney, who immediately set into motion new procedures.

For Agri, the immediate objective was to replace the workers and step up production. Because of the special nature of the work, it would not be easy to find large number of workers who would be willing to do the kind of labor that is required at a livestock production plant. Agri retained recruitment firms to help them fill the vacancies, but the UFCW immediately swung into action, warning the first firm to be retained that conditions were unsafe, even as a large team of federal inspectors watch every move. The intimidation worked: the first firm pulled out, but thankfully, the Jacobson firm, which is doing the bulk of the recruiting now, refused to be intimidated and is helping fill the vacancies.

Productions of most products are closing in on pre-raid levels and the plant appears to be returning to normal. The secular Jewish media onslaught continues with sensation after sensation. A little story of abuse today, the Jewish boycott tomorrow, and so forth.

Thankfully, consumers in the marketplace have continued to buy Agri products. Many charedi people are specifically asking for the products as a counter action to the boycott people. In the aftermath of the PETA issue, sales of Agri products increased by 10%-12%. There is hope that the company will emerge even stronger from this unfortunate episode.

Orthodox Jewish leaders and groups are still trying to figure out how liberal Jewish groups using terms like Tzedek find justification in vilifying a company based on allegations. For Agri, producing enough product, trying to keep prices down and dealing with an unprecedented campaign against them have all become ingredients for an ordinary day.

Further Rubashkin Reading.

Comments

[David]

Agri kept prices DOWN? Has this guy ever actually had to pay for kosher meat, or does he just get freebies from Agriprocessors?

[Archie Bunker]

Lubinsky lies like people breathe.

[John K. Diamond]

[Lubinsky lies like people breathe.]

Maybe, HaShem will see it fit to decide that Lubinsky's work in this world has been completed.

Then, his soul may find it difficult, if not impossible, to breathe lies in the next world.

[Shmarya]

Maybe, HaShem will see it fit to decide that Lubinsky's work in this world has been completed.

Not a nice thing to wish for anyone short of a person like a murderer.

Lubinsky is a disgusting person, to be sure. But what you're supposed to hope for is that the sinner do teshuva and the sins (not the person) be destroyed.

[John K. Diamond]

You are correct.

I was just ranting.

But it would be nice, like you say, if Lubinsky did repent, change his ways and begin advocating for much needed reforms in the Kosher Animal Trade.

But I don't see much probabilty for this happening, given many years being dominated by the "Dark Side."

[Archie Bunker]

Of course Hamodia will go easy on a fellow Gerrer chasid like Lubinsky who is close to the Gerrer Rebbe. Don't except any disclaimers or hard hitting questions.

Does anyone know if the Yated is also participating in the Rubashkin propaganda campaign?

[steve]

Lubinsky is easily the most despicable and shady character involved in the kashrus industry. When the Rubashkins get convicted and shut down permanently, he will be going down with the ship.

[Nigritude Ultramarine]

Does anyone know if the Yated is also participating in the Rubashkin propaganda campaign?

It seems that way to me. They've (USA-based Yated) have had pro-Rubbishcan articles on their front page two weeks in a row now.

[Baruch]

These people have no shame, and everytime they open their mouths, its TREIF.
They all belong in Jail, and are a DISGRACE to our people, and everything Torah is!
In Sotah, it tells us, that every generation has its own face of a dog.
Our generation has the Rushbakins, and their cowardly crew from OU. The onlyorganization, that can claim, PORK to be KOSHER, as longas, its COLOR is GREEN!

[John K. Diamond]

Baruch,

Amen !!!!!!

G-d willing, the OU will also go down with the Rubashkin Titanic.

[Father Egge]

All you want to see is their downfall, of the OU and whoever else. All the posters on this blog are not focusing on helping their fellow man. Scott, the letter that the Rebbe did not send to you challenged you to do some good for your community, attacking the Rebbe, Lubavitch, Rubashkins, the orthodox rabbinate in no way shows any positive support for your community. Go take care of your mother and stop focusing on the negative in your life.

[shmuel]

Does anyone actually read and trust "papers" like Hamodia and Yated? I only allow them in to my house if I need to wrap fish.
Anyway, Lubinsky is a shameless liar and everyone knows it, but here's hoping that he's right in one prediction: that meat become so expensive indeed that frum Jews totally give it up and completely change their diets forever. More fresh fruits and vegetables would decrease obesity, diabetes, and heart disease and let so many of us live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. So, Rubbishcan, raise your prices! Put yourselves out of business! We can't wait already.

[kjm]

2 agri supervisors have been arrested on criminal charges.

http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2008/07/03/news/top_story/doc486cf3360cb38694856078.txt

[John K. Diamond]

[Lubinsky is a shameless liar and everyone knows it]

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Great comment, Shmuel !!!!!

You must have read "Plain Speaking", where Harry Truman says of a former president: "Richard Nixon is a shifty-eyed g-ddamn liar, and people know it."

[steve]

All you want to see is their downfall, of the OU and whoever else. All the posters on this blog are not focusing on helping their fellow man

Thar is our only focus. The only solution at this point is for them to close down. They have proven time and again that they cannot be trusted to run an honest business. The longer they stay open, the more people are victimized, whether it's the abused workers or the kosher consumer who is being fed treife.

[yidandahalf]

The first question I have for Lubabalou Lubinsky is if he can provide documentation for the 'five independent audits' and those done by 'various supermarket chains' that do their 'own audits'.
I really would like to have his answer and if he cannot come up with one then hire me. I could come up with far more convincing b.s. then he does. Jesus, the old kaker doesn't even try.