A humane slaughtering bill, which provoked objections on the part of 14 Jewish organizations in New Jersey, was unanimously approved by the House Agricultural Committee of the State Assembly and sent to the Assembly for action. It is expected that the Assembly will take up the bill for discussion at the end of the month.
The Jewish organizations which objected to the bill include the Jewish Community Relations, and the Jewish Federations of Camden County. The objections by all 14 Jewish groups were registered on the basis that the language and provisions of the bill may ultimately affect “Shechitah, “kosher ritual slaughtering.
The bill was introduced by Assemblyman Francis J. Werner, of Camden, and was submitted to the agricultural committee for study. In a conference with the committee, representatives of all the Jewish organizations said that reporting the bill out favorably would be contrary to the best interests of the Jewish community and residents of New Jersey.
They pointed out that since a Federal Commission now is studying the complex problem of humane slaughter aid, for the states to pass bills attempting to define humane slaughter, while a Federal Commission is just making a study, would only confuse the situation and result in a series of possibly contradictory and confusing bills.
Since the bill in New Jersey, known as A-133, directs the State Commissioner of Health to determine acceptable methods of preparation and handling of animals and the process of slaughter, there has been considerable fear expressed by Jewish groups that these discretionary powers may prove as ultimate threats to Shechitah.
The Rabbinical Council of New Jersey at a meeting here, decided to fight passage of the bill. Rabbi Zev Segal, council president, reported on the Agricultural Committee hearing at which he opposed the measure. The council joined with other groups in an emergency meeting in Trenton, following which meetings were held with legislators from the respective counties to familiarize them with the reasons for opposing enactment of a state law.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
