It started more than three decades ago, when Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield started their mom-and-pop ice cream stand in a gas station. Now, they stand on shelves next to gourmet lines like Haagen-Daaz, and are the eternal favorite of ice cream lovers and girls with the blues everywhere.
All their products are certified kosher dairy (although not chalav yisrael), but what stands out are their fun flavors. Everyone has a favorite. My Aunt Sophie is known for her love of Cherry Garcia, and my sister likes Mint Chocolate Cookie. I like a lot of flavors, but unfortunately, they don’t make my all-time favorite, Vermonty Python, anymore (it was coffee ice cream with a chocolate cookie swirl with chocolate cows).
To this day, the brand is famous for its friendly appeal and counterculture flirtations (Phish Food, anyone?). Even on their website, they still have that fun appeal that extends to its packaging and shops.
But the thing that’s most important is that Ben and Jerry’s does not sit idly by. Part of their commitment as a company is to be there for others. There is also a Ben and Jerry’s Foundation, which gives money to organization who are looking to solve environmental and social problems. They believe in fair trade and social justice (and please don’t quote Glenn Beck at me. If social justice and caring for others means I am a fascist, I’ll eat my kettle). Manufacturing employees are paid a livable wage. They don’t just talk a good game – they prove it.
Ben Cohen is quoted on their website as saying, “Business has a responsibility to give back to the community.” In addition to its product and economic missions, the company even has a social mission, which recognizes their part in the world and realizes that we have to give back to it. If that’s not what Judaism stands for, I really don’t know what it does.
And on that note, I think it’s time that I go get myself an ice cream cone on this perfect California spring day... peace out, peeps!
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