“IT"WAS"HARD to be Jewish in Kelowna,” said Michele Troup. The co-owner of Mem’s Kosher Foods and Holyland Treasures was explaining that Orthodox Jews follow a strict dietary law called Kashrut.  

The discipline requires that they eat kosher foods.  For Troup and others in the local Jewish community, that meant many trips to Vancouver.  

Troup partnered with the like-minded Mila Shapiro; they took matters into their own hands, and opened Mem’s.  

Neither woman had any retail experience, and their budget was small – but everything fell into place, by “the divine hand of God.”  

Troup believes that even the logo was inspired by God.  Both owners’ names begin with the Hebrew letter ‘Mem.’

“When we looked into what it meant, we were both very surprised. It was a female letter that represented new birth and new beginnings.”  

On March 15, the pair opened the Okanagan’s first kosher store, at 103 – 3010 Pandosy Street in Kelowna. They wanted to start in time for Passover. Troup recalled: “Passover was wonderful. The Jewish community was very supportive.”  

The shop carries giftwares imported from as far away as Israel, and an abundance of kosher foods – including dry goods, beef, chicken, lamb and bison.  

Kosher, meaning ‘pure’ or ‘proper,’ is only labeled as such after being certified by a  Jewish mashgiach (‘supervisor’).  

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Vegetables must be washed three times to make sure there aren’t any bugs or worms.

Kosher guidelines require animals and birds must be killed in accordance with Jewish law. Animals can have no disease or organ flaws.

Meat must have all of the blood drained and veins removed, so bacteria cannot form. The meat is washed with salt and rinsed, before being inspected and deemed kosher.  

According to the Torah, only animals that chew their cud and have split hooves, and fish with scales and fins, can be ingested. Birds of prey and scavenger birds are prohibited.  

“God knew what he wanted people to have, and why,” said Troup. She suggested kosher is a healthy alternative for everyone’s diet. “We would love to share with those who are concerned about eating and looking for a healthy lifestyle.”  

The trend for kosher use among non-Jews is indeed increasing. The Government of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development website (agric.gov.ab.ca) estimates more than half the Canadian consumers of kosher products are not Jewish.  

The site states 25 percent of customers believe kosher is a safer or better way to eat; 20 percent are Muslims; and 10 percent buy for philosophical, health or other religious reasons.

Troup and Shapiro plan to add a deli to the shop this month.  They originally shelved the idea, due to finances; but as with everything else related to the store, a prep station fell into their lap. Smiling, Troup told BCCN: “We’ve had the blessing of God every step of the way.”  

– Sheila Lockwood

June 2010