Temple Installs Kitchen Cameras After Kosher Scandal

Temple Beth Torah in Melville installed security cameras in its kitchen this week after a lawsuit was filed against its on-premise catering company for allegedly violating kosher laws.

Tom Cataldo, the former general manager of Morrell Caterers, and former executive chef, Michael Savitsky filed a lawsuit earlier this month accusing Scott Morrell, the principal co-owner of the business, of They said that congregation’s kosher kitchen was used for the preparation of shrimp, pork and other non-kosher food.

In addition to the kosher violation allegations, Scott Morrell is facing another lawsuit from his former employees, The lawsuit also states the he substituted cheap alcohol for top-shelf liquor clients had paid for.

The accusations prompted the temple to install security cameras in the kitchen this week to monitor the food preparation, said Randy Zomberg, president of the temple. The cameras went live on Wednesday, Feb. 29, he said.

Rabbi Susie Moskowitz of said in an earlier interview that there are no current plans to let go of Morrell Caterers unless the court finds Morrell guilty of the charges.

Morrell Caterers also operates out of two other Long Island temples: The Woodbury Jewish Center and Temple Israel in Lawrence. The Woodbury Jewish Center has severed ties with the catering company.

The temple’s rabbi told The Jewish Week that though the allegations were unproven, the severity of the charges created a “crisis point” where he and his congregation became “objects of ridicule and scorn” through actions they did not participate in. The center, ordered Morrell's out by Mar. 5. Morrell is retaliating with a $10 million defamation suit against the rabbi.

The paper reported that Morrell Caterers would be in court Thursday seeking a temporary restraining order.