Bark Mitzvah

Elvis Best "read" the Torah at his Bark Mitzvah in 2007.

A Bark Mitzvah is a pseudo-traditional observance and celebration of a dog's coming of age, as in the Jewish traditional Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah. The term has been in use since at least as early as 1997, and Bark Mitzvahs are sometimes held as an adjunct to the festival of Purim.

Ceremony

The Bark Mitzvah is a celebration not necessarily held in conjunction with a specific age but can occur when the dog turns 13 months or 13 years of age. This is equivalent to about 91 dog years. During some Bark Mitzvahs, dogs wear a tallit, a ritual prayer shawl worn during Jewish religious services and ceremonies. A male dog wears a specific yarmulke, a thin skullcap.

History

In 1997, the first widely recorded Bark Mitzvah was celebrated, receiving scrutiny and disapproval from several rabbis. One rabbi expressed his distaste for Bark Mitzvahs in a letter to the editor of The New York Times, describing the celebration as "nothing less than a desecration of a cherished Jewish tradition" and claiming that Bark Mitzvahs "degrade some of the central principles of Jewish life".

Although the idea of the Bark Mitzvah is frowned upon by some, the idea spread throughout the United States, and the celebrations have continued to occur. The ceremonies became increasingly popular on the East and West Coasts in the early 2000s. As a result, specialty pet stores and dog bakeries now offer special Bark Mitzvah party packages, party favors, and gifts.

Notable Bark Mitzvahs

Admiral Rufus K. Boom Nadler

• Owner: Mark Nadler
• Place: Nadler Residence, New York City
• Date: December 2004
• Breed: Wheaten Terrier

Mark Nadler, a New York cabaret singer, hired party planners and bartenders to ensure a special evening for Admiral Boom. The event was complete with a Bark Mitzvah cake displaying Boom's photograph and his name written in English and Hebrew, satin yarmulkes with Boom's name and date printed inside, and a full buffet. Mark Nadler requested that as a Bark Mitzvah gift to Boom, guests make a donation to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Coverage of the celebration was featured in The New York Times.

Colombo Rudy

• Owners: Edie and Ed Rudy
• Place: A local café, Aventura, Florida
• Date: October 14, 2005
• Breed: Poodle

Edie and Ed Rudy celebrated Columbo Rudy's coming of age at a local, outdoor Aventura café. Rabbi Rex Doberman signed a certificate from Congregation Beth Poodle congratulating the canine. Coverage of the event was featured on MSNBC.

Elvis Best

• Owner: David Best
• Place: Sammy's Roumanian Steakhouse, New York City
• Date: November 10, 2007
• Breed: Parson Russell Terrier

David Best, CEO of MDea and The Doctor's Channel, hosted this celebration at Sammy's Roumanian, a famous Jewish steakhouse. The event featured live music, traditional Jewish cuisine, and various speeches given by Elvis Best himself. In attendance were representatives from various US pharmaceutical companies. As a result, the celebration served as the event of the season in the pharmaceutical industry. Sex therapist Dr. Ruth also helped Elvis celebrate his big day. Coverage of the event is available on YouTube, The Doctor's Channel, and AOL.

Other uses of the term

The term is also used for a dog-assisted literacy education project, one of several "bark mitzva" projects designed by a Lawrenceville, New Jersey conservative synagogue's religious school to teach children about tzedaka, the Jewish practice of charity.

Further reading

• Diana L. Guerrero. Blessing of the Animals: A Guide to Prayers & Ceremonies Celebrating Pets & Other Creatures. New York: Sterling, 2007. ISBN 1-40272-967-7, ISBN 978-1402729676. ASIN 1402729677.
• Lauren Soul. Bark Mitzvahs. The Jewish Magazine: Toronto, June 2008. Pg.12. >ISBN 14169873201-6.