The mission of this community service organization, which serves Northern California, is the maintenance of a high level of kosher quality supervision. Rabbinic and lay leaders provide kosher certification, supervision and inspection for caterers, wholesale and retail food vendors, and food production companies.

Administrative office: 3316 Mayfair Drive, Sacramento, CA 95864. Field office: 1710 University Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705.

Currently, the Vaad supervises over 17 eating establishments, 40 food production facilities and six caterers who are always kosher. It has supervised over 400 events with more than 40 independent caterers. Vaad members also subcontract with international kosher agencies, including OU, OK, Kof-K and Star-K, to oversee most kosher food production in Northern California.

The rabbinic administrator, Rabbi Avi Lebowitz, received his ordination from Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore and serves as educational director of the Jewish Study Network in Palo Alto. As an academic educator, he contributes to the team that maintains and educates clients about kosher policies and standards.