Joe Regenstein, Board Treasurer — Food Makes Us Human in Specific Cultural and Religious Ways

The focus of a part of my professional work, which I am still actively doing, is trying to help make kosher and halal work in Western society – trying to educate all the stakeholders involved with these complex food systems that are superimposed on the broader food system. Often I have to remind many of the different stakeholders that there are different standards for both kosher and halal, and that these differences are a wonderful reflection of the diversity of views within these two Abrahamic faiths.

Locally this has included educational programs, multifaith activities and involvement with Cornell Dining on its kosher and halal offerings and with my own department (Food Science at Cornell) to make the on-campus dairy production plant kosher.

Beyond kosher and halal, I have also tried to learn more about other communities food needs and how these might be met. For example, I spoke at the local LDS church about their church’s extensive efforts at providing for food security, much of which was new to some of their congregants. As a long-time member of Cornell’s Student Assembly Dining Committee, I have also participate in efforts to increase food security (and food sustainability) on campus.

Within my own congregation I have worked on our local kosher standard. A goal is to try to make everyone in our community feel welcome to eat in our synagogue. Through Shared Journeys I have, hopefully, gained a more nuanced understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of my activities. (Email Joe.)