Monday, August 27, 2007
Pet blessing honors all G-d's creatures
The Spitz family considers their dog Toby, a 3-year-old Wheaton terrier, one of their kin.
Owner Sharon Spitz has been known to feed Toby, who eschews most meat, bagels and lox. "He's a very Jewish dog," she said with a laugh.
When a friend from the dog park told Spitz about Congregation Kolot's Celebration of the Animals, she clipped a small yarmulke on Toby's furry head and headed to Irvine's Deerfield Park for Sunday's festivities.
There, about 25 people gathered in a circle, sang, observed a moment of silence for deceased pets and offered their dogs a blessing with the help of Rabbi Rafael Goldstein. Representatives from local pet rescue organizations, including Happy Tails and the Irvine Animal Shelter, were also on hand with several cats in need of a home.
"We definitely have a strong concern for the welfare of all of God's creatures," Goldstein said.
The celebration began two years ago, said co-president Pat Goldman, when several members of the congregation were grieving for their pets.
"We didn't have a context for that," she said. "In Judaism, we say a prayer for the dead called the Kaddish, and people were asking if we could say the Kaddish for their pets, which we can't. So we started the Celebration of the Animals."
http://www.ocregister.com/news/pets-spitz-dog-1822621-congregation-animals
The Spitz family considers their dog Toby, a 3-year-old Wheaton terrier, one of their kin.
Owner Sharon Spitz has been known to feed Toby, who eschews most meat, bagels and lox. "He's a very Jewish dog," she said with a laugh.
When a friend from the dog park told Spitz about Congregation Kolot's Celebration of the Animals, she clipped a small yarmulke on Toby's furry head and headed to Irvine's Deerfield Park for Sunday's festivities.
There, about 25 people gathered in a circle, sang, observed a moment of silence for deceased pets and offered their dogs a blessing with the help of Rabbi Rafael Goldstein. Representatives from local pet rescue organizations, including Happy Tails and the Irvine Animal Shelter, were also on hand with several cats in need of a home.
"We definitely have a strong concern for the welfare of all of God's creatures," Goldstein said.
The celebration began two years ago, said co-president Pat Goldman, when several members of the congregation were grieving for their pets.
"We didn't have a context for that," she said. "In Judaism, we say a prayer for the dead called the Kaddish, and people were asking if we could say the Kaddish for their pets, which we can't. So we started the Celebration of the Animals."
http://www.ocregister.com/news/pets-spitz-dog-1822621-congregation-animals
Comments:
OY - Reminds me of a story about a conservative "rabbi" in Syracuse NY who does an annual animal blessing service. He even dresses up with a beard to look like he thinks Noach looked. The Catholics have this too and bring their animals into their church!
Comment Credit ---This article posted by 
: August 27, 2007 8:35 PM
: August 27, 2007 8:35 PM
Why is this crazier than swinging a chicken over your head?
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : August 28, 2007 11:56 AM
: August 28, 2007 11:56 AM
The Rabbi and the dog
An elderly man had for many years as his only companion an old dog that passed away..
The grieving man went to see his Rabbi and asked if he would arrange
To say Kaddish for the dog.
The rabbi said, "Kaddish is only for humans, not for animals.
However, there's a new Reform congregation down the street a block of two. You go there and ask if they'll say Kaddish for the dog; they may just be a mashuggenah enough to do this for you."
The old man thanked him, and said, "Do you suppose they'll also accept my $175,000 donation in memory of my little Moishe?"
"Hold it!" shouted the rabbi, "You didn't tell me your dog was Jewish!"
An elderly man had for many years as his only companion an old dog that passed away..
The grieving man went to see his Rabbi and asked if he would arrange
To say Kaddish for the dog.
The rabbi said, "Kaddish is only for humans, not for animals.
However, there's a new Reform congregation down the street a block of two. You go there and ask if they'll say Kaddish for the dog; they may just be a mashuggenah enough to do this for you."
The old man thanked him, and said, "Do you suppose they'll also accept my $175,000 donation in memory of my little Moishe?"
"Hold it!" shouted the rabbi, "You didn't tell me your dog was Jewish!"
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : August 28, 2007 1:48 PM
: August 28, 2007 1:48 PM
to 11:48pm
TOUCHE!!
perfect story
we're so quick to poke fun and judge others until we realize that we are the only ones doing so...
Post a Comment
TOUCHE!!
perfect story
we're so quick to poke fun and judge others until we realize that we are the only ones doing so...
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : August 28, 2007 6:46 PM
: August 28, 2007 6:46 PM
