OU Kosher announces special extended hours of the OU Kosher Hotline to assist with Passover preparations — from 10:00 a.m-12 noon on Sunday, April 13, 2014 and from 10:00 a.m-1:00 p.m on Monday, April 14, 2014 (the night of the first seder.) The kosher hotline number is 212-613-8241.

“This is the second year the OU Kosher Hotline will be open on Sunday,” remarked Rabbi Moshe Elefant, OU Kosher chief operating officer. “Our extended hotline hours are yet another service OU Kosher provides to make us the world’s most recognized kosher symbol and also the top destination for kosher information year-round—particularly regarding the challenging preparations for Passover.”

“Last year, we received 150 calls on erev Pesach alone, when the OU Kosher Hotline was open for three hours,” shared Rabbi Eli Eleff, OU Kosher rabbinic coordinator and consumer relations administrator. “Callers thanked us profusely for being open to help with their questions; and many last-minute calls came from rabbis, as were calls from people who had been told by their rabbi to contact the OU. In fact, inquiries were received about products certified by other kosher organizations, as we were informed that the OU was the only agency open to help consumers during that time. We are proud to offer these extended hours once again.” [TLS]