Ten Tips on How to Give a Pet Mitzvah (Part Two)
Copyright 2007 by Diana L Guerrero. All rights reserved.
This is a three part article about how to celebrate a pet mitzvah—a trend that first began in the 1980s but didn’t hit popularity with mainstream society until about the mid-1990s. Bark mitzvahs are controversial in some circles but have been embraced as a way to celebrate the blessing of canine companions and to raise funds during Purim (a religious holiday in the Jewish tradition). Pop culture has adopted the trend—throwing not just bark mitzvahs but meow mitzvahs, equine mitzvahs, and other similar celebrations.
3. Who do you invite to a pet mitzvah?
Be sure to invite people who are open to the celebration. Many religious centers are finding that they can attract new membership through pet events of all types but not everyone is open the pet mitzvah or blessing trend.
Some pet mitzvahs are attended by humans only, while others invite the critter’s animal buddies or the whole community involved in the fundraising. If you are holding a private affair, consider just inviting your pet’s best animal pal to keep the party more manageable—and make it easier to party longer!
Although you can suggest a dress code—when you party with pets it should be casual. The guest of honor should be outfitted in appropriate attire but the rest of the party animals should have an option.
Some pet mitzvah hosts give out souvenir gifts such as yarmulkes or Star of David goodie bags or bandanas. Specify any gifting rules so guests can avoid giving the guest of honor raw hide or something that is off limits.
Finally, specify that each pet owner is responsible for the good behavior of the animal. Even so, have contingency plans for poop patrol and have a specific toilet area with a trash can and scoop.
If a pet gets a bit unruly—make sure there is a special room or crate for a time-out. Usually that is enough to get an animal back on track—and it beats having to send him or her home.
4. Secure the pet mitzvah location.
This is important for many reasons. I prefer intimate settings at home but your party animals might do better in a larger, secure location.
If you invite pets the party location needs to be pet friendly and secure. There are pet party locations available complete with professional staff. These locations are insured and are specifically oriented to these types of venues—and more importantly—they clean up!
Finally, if you are conducting a fundraiser during Purim, many synagogues celebrate in the “barking lot” or on the lawn outside the temple.
5. Pick out pet mitzvah invitations and decorations.
Picking out invitation and pet mitzvah decorations is easy today. Ten years ago there weren’t too many options out there for furry festivities. However, now there are pet party packs, specialty cookies or cakes, and bark mitzvah certificates, along with tallits and yarmulkes especially for pets.
If you are in a religious community, consider using specialty leashes, collars, pet tags, or bandanas with the Star of David emblazoned on them so as not to offend those who feel that holding pet mitzvahs is barking up the wrong tree but some synagogues celebrate and give out bark mitzvah certificates to pet participants.
6. Who officiates over a pet mitzvah?
If you holding a bark mitzvah fundraiser during Purim, or celebrating along the lines of a pet blessing, ask a Rabbi or cantor to oversee your pet mitzvah.
If not, anyone can officiate just use the ceremonies and prayers from the “Rites of Paws-age: Muzzle Tov!” chapter in Blessing of the Animals: A Guide to Prayers & Ceremonies Celebrating Pets & Other Creatures.
You might also want to have someone specifically on “poop patrol” if you are holding a bark mitzvah.
Continued in Ten Tips on How to Give a Pet Mitzvh (Part Three)
This is a three part article about how to celebrate a pet mitzvah—a trend that first began in the 1980s but didn’t hit popularity with mainstream society until about the mid-1990s. Bark mitzvahs are controversial in some circles but have been embraced as a way to celebrate the blessing of canine companions and to raise funds during Purim (a religious holiday in the Jewish tradition). Pop culture has adopted the trend—throwing not just bark mitzvahs but meow mitzvahs, equine mitzvahs, and other similar celebrations.
3. Who do you invite to a pet mitzvah?
Be sure to invite people who are open to the celebration. Many religious centers are finding that they can attract new membership through pet events of all types but not everyone is open the pet mitzvah or blessing trend.
Some pet mitzvahs are attended by humans only, while others invite the critter’s animal buddies or the whole community involved in the fundraising. If you are holding a private affair, consider just inviting your pet’s best animal pal to keep the party more manageable—and make it easier to party longer!
Although you can suggest a dress code—when you party with pets it should be casual. The guest of honor should be outfitted in appropriate attire but the rest of the party animals should have an option.
Some pet mitzvah hosts give out souvenir gifts such as yarmulkes or Star of David goodie bags or bandanas. Specify any gifting rules so guests can avoid giving the guest of honor raw hide or something that is off limits.
Finally, specify that each pet owner is responsible for the good behavior of the animal. Even so, have contingency plans for poop patrol and have a specific toilet area with a trash can and scoop.
If a pet gets a bit unruly—make sure there is a special room or crate for a time-out. Usually that is enough to get an animal back on track—and it beats having to send him or her home.
4. Secure the pet mitzvah location.
This is important for many reasons. I prefer intimate settings at home but your party animals might do better in a larger, secure location.
If you invite pets the party location needs to be pet friendly and secure. There are pet party locations available complete with professional staff. These locations are insured and are specifically oriented to these types of venues—and more importantly—they clean up!
Finally, if you are conducting a fundraiser during Purim, many synagogues celebrate in the “barking lot” or on the lawn outside the temple.
5. Pick out pet mitzvah invitations and decorations.
Picking out invitation and pet mitzvah decorations is easy today. Ten years ago there weren’t too many options out there for furry festivities. However, now there are pet party packs, specialty cookies or cakes, and bark mitzvah certificates, along with tallits and yarmulkes especially for pets.
If you are in a religious community, consider using specialty leashes, collars, pet tags, or bandanas with the Star of David emblazoned on them so as not to offend those who feel that holding pet mitzvahs is barking up the wrong tree but some synagogues celebrate and give out bark mitzvah certificates to pet participants.
6. Who officiates over a pet mitzvah?
If you holding a bark mitzvah fundraiser during Purim, or celebrating along the lines of a pet blessing, ask a Rabbi or cantor to oversee your pet mitzvah.
If not, anyone can officiate just use the ceremonies and prayers from the “Rites of Paws-age: Muzzle Tov!” chapter in Blessing of the Animals: A Guide to Prayers & Ceremonies Celebrating Pets & Other Creatures.
You might also want to have someone specifically on “poop patrol” if you are holding a bark mitzvah.
Continued in Ten Tips on How to Give a Pet Mitzvh (Part Three)
Labels: bark mitzvah, blessing of the animals, jewish pets, pet mitzvah, purim
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