Keeping kosher gets easier in area

Many people have several sets of dishes: The good china for entertaining, everyday dishes and even special holiday-themed tableware.

But for some area residents, having several sets of dishes represents a spiritual commitment.

For the past eight years South Hill resident Suzanne Rubens has kept a kosher kitchen. Kosher laws – dietary guidelines – are derived from the Torah.

“Spokane has a small Jewish community, so it can be rather difficult to keep kosher here,” says Rubens.

The most commonly known kosher law involves the complete separation between meat and dairy products. Rubens uses a color-coded system, brown dishes for meat, blue for dairy and a third set of glass dishes that are pareve, or neutral.

Dr. Mary Noble, also of Spokane, understands the challenges completely. She grew up in a kosher home.

“In my mind maintaining a kosher kitchen is normal,” Noble says. “We have separate pots, pans and utensils for meat and dairy.”

Another set of dishes is used during Passover and must be stored separately. Obviously, finding enough cupboard space can be difficult.

Rubens laughs and says, “Every Passover I discover we have way too many kitchen things!”

Rubens has simplified her kitchen by keeping her dishes in cupboards on opposite sides of the room. She bought flatware in contrasting patterns and has color-coded her cooking utensils as well – blue handled for dairy, red for meat. Rubens also uses her color-coded system for dishtowels and washcloths.

Dishes used for meat and dairy must never be washed together. Both Rubens and Noble have designated their dishwashers for dairy, using their sinks for washing meat dishes.

“We’re fortunate to have a triple sink,” Noble says. “In the past we used separate wash basins in the sink.”

In some larger homes Jews who keep kosher have two separate ovens, but Rubens finds it easier to just cook either meat or dairy on any given day.

Grocery shopping can be a challenge.

“We have no kosher butcher in Spokane,” Rubens says. “And ordering meat from Seattle is very expensive.”

But it is getting easier to shop.

“Most grocery stores now have kosher sections, and it’s becoming easier to find kosher dairy products,” she notes.

For Dr. Noble kosher habits involve living life thoughtfully and deliberately, and not taking things for granted.

“Keeping kosher defines us to some extent,” she says. “We’re proud of being Jewish, and this is an ongoing reminder of that identity.”

Rubens agrees. “Keeping kosher elevates the mundane act of eating to a spiritual level.”