All Angels Church, Temple Beth Israel host annual Blessing of the Animals

Temple Beth Israel and All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church partnered together to host their Blessing of the Animals on Oct. 22 at Temple Beth Israel.

This event was open to people of all religions in the community. 

“It was really a good way for us to interact with All Angels, which we've done a couple projects with in the past,” said Arlene Levy, Temple Beth Israel member. “It's a nice way to get to know them personally because the dogs take over what they do and help introduce yourself to others. Therefore, you start with the dogs and then you go from there.”

Photo by Petra Rivera

Blessings were led by Rabbi Stephen Sniderman of Temple Beth Israel and Rev. David Marshall of All Angels Church. There were around 25 dogs and a bearded lizard blessed.

Photo by Petra Rivera 

The congregations also used this event to promote Rise Up Cafe, an ice cream parlor in Sarasota that offers training and employment to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Rise Up gave away specialty dog treats to promote its cause and make connections in the Longboat Key community. 

Photo by Petra Rivera

“A couple of people have said to me that they came to support us, given the crisis in Israel,” said Karen Gary, who leads the Membership Engagement and Social Action committees at Temple Beth Israel. “That's part of why I think we had such a great turnout today. It was the community’s way of reaching out and showing support. It’s very touching.”