When we first reported about “Bark Mitzvahs” a few years back, we thought it might be just “a thing,” even though “the thing” has grown legs. The first recorded first Bark Mitzvah was in 1958 when Max and Janet Salter celebrated the coming of age of their black Cocker Spaniel, “Windy” in Beverly Hills. According to the Beverly Hills Courier, Janet coined the term, “Bark Mitzvah,” on the invitations, and over subsequent years, the couple threw several more Bark Mitzvahs whenever one of their dogs turned 13. In 1977 in West Orange, New Jersey when Marvin and Thebe Drazin held one for their Dachshund, “Schnoppsie-Lewis Drazin” in their backyard.  

The idea of the Bark Mitzvah is frowned upon by some and roundly criticized by others, but celebrations continued to occur and are particularly popular on the East and West Coasts. Bark Mitzvah dogs are given certificates, and the dogs’ family members say a prayer. Some Bark Mitzvahs are held around the festival of Purim for fun, but they’re also held as fund raisers (a Reform temple in Atlanta sponsored a “Bark Mitzvah Day” fundraiser in 2003 in which about 60 dogs competed in a dog-show spin-off, with “Most Jewish” as one of the competition’s categories).  Some see Bark Mitzvahs as the Jewish equivalent to the Catholic ritual of blessing animals in the church.  Celebrants tend to be Reform or or Conservative Jews, though as one might imagine, the idea of the Bark Mitzvah is frowned upon by some and roundly criticized by others. One source wrote that Bark Mitzvahs marginalize Jewish identification to the point where stereotypes are perpetuated. It hasn’t stopped a flourishing business.

Specialty pet stores and dog bakeries offer special Bark Mitzvah party packages,Stars of David shaped dog biscuits, party favors, and gifts. During some Bark Mitzvahs, dogs wear a tallit, a ritual prayer shawl worn during Jewish religious services and ceremonies, a male dog can even wear a fitted yarmulke, and there are businesses that cater to that. 

Bark Mitzvahs don’t appear to be going away, and Meow Mitzvahs are on the rise.

Image: “Elvis Best,” a Parson Russell Terrier, reading his Arf-Torah Portion at his Bark Mitzvah from Wikipedia under the GNU Free Documentation License