He also welcomes lay people.

Jewish and Muslim food laws are quite similar. Both ban pork and include the ritual slaughter of permitted animals.

The biggest difference is related to alcohol. In kashrut, the concern is about grape-derived alcohol only. In halal, all alcohol is banned.

In the northeast, Regenstein noted, about 40 percent of the foods on supermarket shelves have kosher certification.

For more information on the course e-mail Regenstein at [email protected]