WESTMORELAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONSULT PITTSBURGH-AREA RABBI REGARDING KOSHER MEALS FOR INMATE

The Westmoreland County Commissioners have brought in a Pittsburgh-area Rabbi to determine if a county jail inmate’s religious convictions qualify him to receive kosher meals while in prison.  The Trib reports that a lawyer for Kort Eckman’s request to Jail officials for kosher meals was denied because Eckman had not completed a formal conversion to the Jewish faith.  Questions about Eckman’s religious beliefs have dogged jail officials over the past month. Initially, he was denied transit to the courthouse after he refused to remove his yarmulke.  Then his mother, who was the victim in the stabbing, made the request for kosher meals.  Commissioner Ted Kopas said that they are not qualified to make a decision on his faith, so they will rely on the Rabbi’s assessment.