Kosher Shechita in Belize is Country’s First

The Central American country of Belize was host to its first ever local shechita, carried out by shochet Eliyahu Ezagui who traveled to the country from Crown Heights specially for the run.

By Anash.org reporter

The Central American country of Belize was host to its a kosher shechita this past week, the first in the country’s history.

Organized by local Rabbi Mendel Belhamou, the shechita was made possible by shochet Eliyahu Ezagui, who traveled to the country from Crown Heights specially for the shechita run.

Hundreds of chickens and a number of sheep were going to be shechted, but first they had to brought to Ambergris Caye, Belize’s largest island. With no proper shipping options, the animals were loaded onto boats and trucks and brought over to the island.

With the shechita taking place just a few days before Yom Kippur, the rabbi and the locals also got to fulfill the custom of kapparos. They then shechted the animals with the highest kosher standards to ensure that every Jewish visitor to the country will have kosher meat to eat and purchase.