Following a directive from Florida Gov. Charlie Crist to the state's Department of Corrections, inmates will soon be able to sign onto a kosher food plan supervised by the Bal Harbour-based Aleph Institute.
According to department spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger, the partnership with the Aleph Institute, a Chabad-Lubavitch program that caters to the needs of Jewish prisoners and military personnel, represents a new direction for Florida's prison system. The department is currently putting the final touches on the kosher meal plan and will unveil it on a trial basis at the South Unit of the South Florida Reception Center in Miami.
"The governor's office had asked us to meet with the Aleph Institute to implement this," says Plessinger. "By working together, we can offer a high-quality certified-religious diet and at a minimal cost to the department."
Aleph Institute director Rabbi Menachem Katz says that the development caps an almost 15-year effort in securing kosher food for Jewish inmates in Florida. While "kosher-style" has existed in state prison cafeterias for some time, this will be the first program that benefits from rabbinic supervision.
"Inmates are always requesting kosher food, and Aleph is always advocating in any way we can for their religious needs to be met," says Katz, who already visits the South Unit several times a week to counsel Jewish prisoners there. "With this program, we are partnering with the Department of Corrections in providing the food. They are assuring the nutritional content and constructing a special kitchen, while we will be monitoring the day-to-day implementation of the meal plan."

Katz credits local businessman Zvi Bogomilsky and Tallahassee-based Rabbi Shneur Zalman Oirechman, director of Chabad-Lubavitch of the Panhandle, with working with the governor in making the program a priority for the state.
"On behalf of the Jewish community," says Katz, "the Jewish community is thrilled that the governor is supporting this initiative."
Out of a total prison population of 102,000, some 1.7 percent self-identify as Jewish, says Plessinger. She's quick to point out, however, that the kosher program will be available to any inmate who requests it.
According to the rabbi, the meal plan will consist of at least one hot pre-packaged meal, along with cold fruits, vegetables, cereal and other shelf-stable items to round out the daily diet. No cooking will be involved.
"We are always keeping our eye towards saving the state money," explains Katz. "Specifically, the Aleph Institute is providing its services free of charge."
Plessinger says that after six-months, the department will look to expanding the program. Reviews will take place each month.
"We'll be looking at inmate satisfaction as well as overall cost," she says. "Right now, the priority is getting this up and running."
[News Tip: AR]
