The new Jerusalem tourism website was launched last week with City Hall sending media releases to spread the word. While the site does appear comprehensive, providing a wealth of information, it is a far cry from what the Jewish capital should promote.

Topics include culture, events, tours, nightlife and eating out, and unfortunately, the latter is about eating; not kosher eating and not all the restaurants advertised are kosher.

Too many visitors and residents alike remain naïve and for some unexplainable reason, they feel that anything advertised in Jerusalem and in Hebrew ‘must be kosher’. Sadly, this is far from the current reality, including a growing number of eateries in the Jerusalem Triangle area, the streets between Jaffa, King George and Ben-Yehuda area. There are also a growing number of stores R”L catering to immigrants from the FSU which crave pork products. Since Mayor Barkat assumed office, the city has been turning a blind eye or according to some encouraging store owners to open on Shabbos.

Visitors to Eretz Yisrael and the holy capital must remain vigilant and remember one must verify the kashrus of any eatery prior to entering. Hebrew language signs and menus are not a substitute for hashgacha no more so than a worker telling you “don’t worry, its kosher”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)