The Barking Blessed
More faith leaders are performing blessings for dogs, cats, and G-d’s other creatures.
by Michael Croland
As Shabbat drew to a close on Saturday, May 8, about 20 members of Temple Emanu-El of West Essex in Livingston, New Jersey, assembled for a traditional havdalah service to welcome the new week. Rather untraditionally, though, the ceremony occurred in the synagogue’s parking lot and was interrupted by six dogs barking, play-fighting, and rolling around in the grass.