DEAR ABBY: My husband and I recently moved to a new area and are becoming friendly with the people in the neighborhood. My husband works as an education director for the local synagogue and, because he is in this field, we have agreed to keep our new home a kosher home and follow the strict rules of kashrut. We will allow no food in the house that has not been prepared in a kosher kitchen using food approved by the Orthodox Union.
My question is, if people decide to stop to introduce themselves and bring something homemade as a welcoming gesture, how do I politely and tactfully decline their gift if they do not keep a kosher kitchen? -- NEW ON THE BLOCK IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
DEAR NEW ON THE BLOCK: Smile at your food-bearing neighbor and say, "Thank you. We keep a kosher home and want to know if you do, too." If the answer is no, explain that while it looks delicious and you appreciate the gesture, you can't accept the food because of your strict observance of your religion.