Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
SHOCHETIM
SHOCHETIM. Ordained Jewish meat cutters. Shochetim were pious and learned men who slaughtered animals in a ritual called shechita required by Jewish dietary laws called kashrut (where the word kosher comes from)that show respect and compassion for the animals. They were employed by the DUBUQUE PACKING COMPANY, the only plant in the United States for many years to process cattle, calves, and lambs for kosher meat.
Many shochetim lived in Chicago. They returned home on Thursday, by train so they could be home for Friday services at sundown. The Jewish sabbath is sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. They returned to Dubuque on Monday where they changed into special clothing and recited special prayers before beginning work.
The shochetim have held a prestigious position in the Jewish community. Each is required to hold a license which is granted after the candidate has completed an apprenticeship, passed an examination over the laws of slaughter, and taken a test in animal slaughter before a rabbi.