Amy,

Welcome! First, I am in the beginning stages of going kosher - So while I only eat kosher meat, and don't mix dairy and meat, I'm not (yet, at least - but maybe never) someone who checks to make sure every packaged (vegetarian) thing is kosher. So you're not alone there. Also, I was raised Reconstructionist and I'm not straight, so as you can imagine I'm on the liberal side of things. Definitely nothing conservative about me, despite my going to a Conservative synagogue and wanting to become more Jewishly observant ;-P

Your food allergies sound intense- Are any of those just intolerances, or do they cause anaphylactic problems, hives, and other major reactions? BTW, that is interesting re: the rash from raw potatoes. I've totally gotten that! I have no problem eating them (cooked) though. I do plan to make some non-potato latkes in addition to the traditional potato ones this year- I'll post the recipes when I do.

Nice to meet another person in the Bay Area! And yes, at some point after the holidays I might be interested in an allergy-friendly cooking event or potluck.

Isaiah

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Come visit my food blog...
Gluten-Free By The Bay
http://glutenfreebay.blogspot.com