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Hmm. Gothamist is a little uneasy about today's prominent story about a bark mitzvah in the NY Times. Now, we love our animals, especially when they wear yarmulkes or participate in Holy Communion. But we have to be honest: Right now, we're slammed with weddings and all the associated costs (gifts, tickets, cute new outfits) and, slowly but surely, there have been baby notices. Are we now going to be required to shell out more cash for the passage of our friends' dogs into, uh, dogs? And what do you call a cat's bar/bat mitzah? Meow mitzvah? In the end, we'll probably happily surrender. And the best line from the story is from dog owner Mark Nadler to the cantor: "It's a real bark mitzvah. Give him a blessing before he pees in my lap."
Gothamist on bark mitzvahs in May 2003, plus our favorite bark mitzvah to date is Kasha's.
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Dear Secular Jews,
One source of tension between us is your feeling that we are always scorning you for not strictly observing our rituals. While there is some truth to that sentiment, please know that we respect the reasons for your decision. We agree that some of our ceremonies are ill suited for this age and we admit that we are too self-righteous at times. Sorry about that. We really do wish you nothing but good fortunes.
That said, would it be too much to ask that you not make a mockery of our five thousand year old traditions? We’re not trying to be rude or anything. We get that this is supposed to be some good, innocent fun. And maybe we are being a bit too persnickety or are living in the past. But several million of our ancestors did die at the hands of people who taunted us with things like this. It’s just that it’s really hard for us not to take this personally. We hope you understand.
Thanks,
Religious Jews
Oy. This is too much... though it is kind of funny.
Do people people really lack a basic sense of good taste or what? The word mockery doesn't even do justice to the ridonkulous nature of a bark mitzvah. I find myself really offended, and I'm not even Jewish, or religious for that matter. But Good Gravy people, have we no sense of respect for tradition or even common sense. Hey, alot of Catholics have there pets blessed by a priest, but a kitty confirmation, I hope not.
Then there's the issue of spending who-knows-how-much cash for a dog's party. I hope he gave very generously to local charities this year.
Is this more about religion or demented New Yorkers who insist on treating pets as human offspring and the unfortunate aliteration of bar/bark?
could be worse... coulda been a bris.
I'm an Orthodox Jew and I'm not offended because I have a sense of humor. If anything, I feel bad for these people -- that their lives are so empty and meaningless that they have to lavish affection on their pets because they don't have children.