http://chabadjapan.org/ -Looks like its a part of the Israeli hardcore messianic group. They claim that the Lubavitcher Rebbe sent them to Tokyo in 1999 (Didn't he pass away more than 6 years earlier?)...
Can anyone vouch for the authenticity or Kashrus of the 2nd seemingly unauthorized Chabad in Tokyo? It seems that they run the kosher establishment there
The reason it seems that way is because the two Chabads have nothing to do with each other.
The messianic one: As far as I know, they are kosher, but they are overtly messianic (among other weirdness), and I've made sure to avoid them as much as possible in my trips to Japan. Perhaps others that have had more contact can tell you more.
That being said, Rabbi Mendy Sudakevich from the "mainstream" Chabad is a fantastic rabbi and I wholeheartedly recommend you use his services.
As for the JCC, being diplomatic, there are some that have major issues with the kashrut. PM me for more info.
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I worked for Asaf Tobi of Chabad in Kobe in 2005 for a few weeks and was by R' Sudakevich in Tokyo for a bit as well. They are both official Chabad emissaries.
During that time I actually bumped into and spoke with Rabbi Edery, an unofficial emissary, at a Kinko's in Tokyo while he was making a sign for his new restaurant. Regardless of his messianism he seemed perfectly reliable.
I dont think so, just because he's obviously an extremist on the issue doesn't mean i wouldn't trust the guy's kashrus.
to each their own
If I have a problem with someones Religious view pt , that would transend to Kashrus as well. Im not about to eat in a restaurant where the owner is Conservadox even if they are Shomer Shabbat,nor a place like 2nd Ave Deli, but thats me and everyone is able to chose for themselves
Now if Aba's will only be open this Thurs night Id be set
We personally know both Chabad shulchim, and feel perfectly comfortable eating at both. Rabbi Mendy S's chabad house is more centrally located in Azabu, while Rabbi Edrey's chabad house is in the southern suburbs, we spent a lovely shabbat there but got an impression he serves more local israelis rather than expats or tourists. Rabbi Edrey has been in Japan close to 10 yrs if I recall.
Note there is a kosher deli called (you guessed it) Kosher Delica in Azabu, supervised by Rabbi Edrey. They can deliver takeaway foods to your hotels.
You can also find pre-packaged imported foods (with inflated price tags) at some supermarkets. Come to think of it, I think Rabbi Edrey supplies frozen kosher yakitori to one of the supermarkets.
JCC is under construction. Their kitchen there has never been under orthodox supervision. I won't feel comfortable eating there personally. I think they stopped having halachic miniyanim some years ago. So chabad is your only option, for the time being.
If you need someone shomer kashrut/mitzvot, feel free to PM me.
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Although my first trip to NRT is over 6 months away, the information in this thread is much appreciated. I have a cousin who met her husband at Tokyo Chabad - I just don't know which one
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrp Alert
Although my first trip to NRT is over 6 months away, the information in this thread is much appreciated. I have a cousin who met her husband at Tokyo Chabad - I just don't know which one
Oh I should have said JCC is under reconstruction. No puns intended. They have a reform rabbi if I recall.
The JCC is officially Conservative/Masorti and so its Rabbis are as well. There may be some confusion on the part of the poster since for a period after the previous Rabbi retired, a RJ Rabbi filled in for leading Shabbat services. The JCC is still in its temporary location until the new building is ready (some time before High Holidays 2009) at which point the main building will re-open with a kosher meat kitchen.
Both Chabad houses provide kosher food. I've never heard a single person express doubt about the kashruth standards of either one. Neither is particularly easy to find, be very sure to contact them in advance and print out maps before trying to find the place. FYI Kosher Delica is now King Falafel. Same location same supervision but different food. Its very small, not actually a sit down restaurant at all. Besides that there are no kosher restaurants in Tokyo and there is pretty much no certified food for sale here except for a few import brands with OU certs. If you maintain strict standards your ONLY choice is one of the two Chabad houses.
