What is CRC Kosher?
Also spelled / known as: Chicago Rabbinical Council, cRc, CRC certification
In brief
CRC (Chicago Rabbinical Council) is the primary kosher certifying agency for the Chicago metropolitan area and supervises a wide range of restaurants, bakeries, and products throughout the Midwest.
CRC Kosher explained
The Chicago Rabbinical Council, commonly known as the cRc or CRC Kosher, is one of the oldest and most respected kosher certification agencies in the United States. Founded in 1932, the cRc supervises nearly every kosher establishment in the greater Chicago area and publishes widely-used kosher lists for consumers.
Real-world examples
The letters 'cRc' or 'CRC' inside a circle on packaging or storefronts
Chicago's West Rogers Park and Skokie restaurants are overwhelmingly cRc-certified
CRC publishes an annual kosher liquor list widely referenced across the US
Certifies the annual Chicago-area Passover product guide
Context & nuance
The cRc is headquartered in Chicago and is the recognized kashrus authority for the Midwest's largest Orthodox community. Beyond certification, the cRc provides educational resources — their kosher liquor list, medicine list, and Pesach guides are consulted by Orthodox Jews across North America. Most kosher restaurants in West Rogers Park, Skokie, and Lincolnwood carry cRc supervision.
Frequently asked questions
- What does cRc stand for?
- cRc stands for Chicago Rabbinical Council, the primary kosher certifying agency for the Chicago metropolitan area and one of the oldest kosher agencies in the United States.
- Is CRC kosher the same as Star-K or OU?
- No — they are different agencies, but all are accepted in Orthodox communities. The cRc (Chicago Rabbinical Council) primarily serves the Chicago area, while OU and Star-K are national and international agencies. All three are considered reliable and are mutually accepted.
Cities where CRC Kosher matters most
Find verified kosher listings in these communities where crc kosher is especially relevant.
Where CRC Kosher shows up
These business categories are where you'll encounter crc kosher most often.
Related terms
Hechsher
A hechsher is the symbol printed on a kosher product or displayed by a kosher establishment indicating which rabbinic agency has certified it as meeting kosher standards.
Kashrut
Kashrut is the body of Jewish dietary law derived from the Torah, defining which foods are permitted (kosher) and forbidden (treif), how animals must be slaughtered, and how meat and dairy must be kept separate.
OU Kosher
OU Kosher is the certification from the Orthodox Union — the largest kosher certifying agency in the world, supervising over 1,000,000 products from 10,000+ companies in 100+ countries.
Mashgiach
A mashgiach is a trained kosher supervisor who ensures that a restaurant, bakery, factory, or catering operation maintains kosher standards — checking ingredients, overseeing food preparation, and verifying every step of the process.
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