TJL
07-24-2004, 09:19 AM
A rite of Paws-age
In bar mitzvah, a dog becomes . . . well, a dog
BY AMY SACKS
DAILY NEWS WRITER
Howie Binder, co-owner of Doggie Do and Pussycats Too! in Murray Hill, with dog Jessica. Binder’s business has organized “bark” mitzvahs for a handful of dogs, including one for Simon (l.), a Coton de Tulear who lives in Manhattan.
Simon the 'Bark-mitzvah' dog at his home in Manhattan.
He didn't get to read from the Torah.
But Simon, donning a prayer shawl and yarmulke, was surrounded by family, furry friends and platters of bagels as the Coton de Tulear recently celebrated his "bark" mitzvah.
"It's just another one of those things New York City dog owners do," said Simon's owner Beth Aronson, 27, a Manhattan sales executive. "He's a very socialized dog, and for him it was a happy occasion."
Religious-themed pooch celebrations are becoming increasingly popular around the city, even though they're not accepted in traditional circles.
"This is shtick," said Rabbi Andy Bachman of New York University's Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life.
It's not that Bachman, an animal lover himself, doubts that pets are God's creatures. "I'm just not quite sure they need or want a bar mitzvah," he said.
The ceremony doesn't quite match the real thing.
The dog of honor usually feasts on bone-shaped, all-natural cake and plays with stuffed toy dreidels and menorahs, while the humans light candles or share stories.
Karen Ngo will be hosting bark mitzvahs in the backyard garden of her recently opened Scout, a boutique and pawtisserie in the East Village.
At the Doggie Do and Pussycats Too! shop in Murray Hill, co-owner Howie Binder already has thrown a handful of bark mitzvahs, including Simon's.
Binder, who is Jewish, said the furry celebrations aren't intended to make a mockery of a serious tradition.
"In this city, pets are people's family, and they want to celebrate with their animals, whether it's spiritual or not," he said.
In general, few houses of worship in the city welcome animals to services except for some churches once a year during the Feast of St. Francis.
Catholic pet owners can call the rectory at any time to have an animal blessed but a pet cannot attend Mass, said Joseph Zwilling, spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York.
Bachman said he didn't know of any synagogue in the city that allows pets.
At least one church, St. Clement's Episcopal in midtown, has embraced pooches.
Gerard Dis' 11-year-old dog Suzette, a black standard poodle, is a regular at Sunday morning services - along with Abby, an Afghan hound, and Otello, a tiny terrier, who sometimes barks during services.
"She's like my child," said Dis, 45. "When else would Suzette get to see 30 or 40 people singing beautiful music?"
Deacon Brooke Bushnong said the church invites animals because they make their owners happy.
"If getting you to worship means bringing a companion, then we encourage it," she said.
Oy Vey...
;)
In bar mitzvah, a dog becomes . . . well, a dog
BY AMY SACKS
DAILY NEWS WRITER
Howie Binder, co-owner of Doggie Do and Pussycats Too! in Murray Hill, with dog Jessica. Binder’s business has organized “bark” mitzvahs for a handful of dogs, including one for Simon (l.), a Coton de Tulear who lives in Manhattan.
Simon the 'Bark-mitzvah' dog at his home in Manhattan.
He didn't get to read from the Torah.
But Simon, donning a prayer shawl and yarmulke, was surrounded by family, furry friends and platters of bagels as the Coton de Tulear recently celebrated his "bark" mitzvah.
"It's just another one of those things New York City dog owners do," said Simon's owner Beth Aronson, 27, a Manhattan sales executive. "He's a very socialized dog, and for him it was a happy occasion."
Religious-themed pooch celebrations are becoming increasingly popular around the city, even though they're not accepted in traditional circles.
"This is shtick," said Rabbi Andy Bachman of New York University's Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life.
It's not that Bachman, an animal lover himself, doubts that pets are God's creatures. "I'm just not quite sure they need or want a bar mitzvah," he said.
The ceremony doesn't quite match the real thing.
The dog of honor usually feasts on bone-shaped, all-natural cake and plays with stuffed toy dreidels and menorahs, while the humans light candles or share stories.
Karen Ngo will be hosting bark mitzvahs in the backyard garden of her recently opened Scout, a boutique and pawtisserie in the East Village.
At the Doggie Do and Pussycats Too! shop in Murray Hill, co-owner Howie Binder already has thrown a handful of bark mitzvahs, including Simon's.
Binder, who is Jewish, said the furry celebrations aren't intended to make a mockery of a serious tradition.
"In this city, pets are people's family, and they want to celebrate with their animals, whether it's spiritual or not," he said.
In general, few houses of worship in the city welcome animals to services except for some churches once a year during the Feast of St. Francis.
Catholic pet owners can call the rectory at any time to have an animal blessed but a pet cannot attend Mass, said Joseph Zwilling, spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York.
Bachman said he didn't know of any synagogue in the city that allows pets.
At least one church, St. Clement's Episcopal in midtown, has embraced pooches.
Gerard Dis' 11-year-old dog Suzette, a black standard poodle, is a regular at Sunday morning services - along with Abby, an Afghan hound, and Otello, a tiny terrier, who sometimes barks during services.
"She's like my child," said Dis, 45. "When else would Suzette get to see 30 or 40 people singing beautiful music?"
Deacon Brooke Bushnong said the church invites animals because they make their owners happy.
"If getting you to worship means bringing a companion, then we encourage it," she said.
Oy Vey...
;)