Rabbi Steve with Ari and Sammy, May he Rest in Peace
Holding the blessing service at the beginning of the Jewish new year reaffirms our covenant of compassion and kindness. It also corresponds with reading the book of Noah in the Jewish calendar.
NEW YORK (PRWEB) October 31, 2019
Sim Shalom Online Synagogue and Rabbi Steven Blane are proud to include all members of the family in its services. We are Jewish Universalist and welcome all....pets are no exception. On Friday, November 1st everyone is invited to a Blessing of the Animals service online at 7:00pm EST. You can join online and chat virtually with Rabbi Blane by going to the website or Facebook page at simshalom1.
The Blessing of the Animals fosters the loving relationship between all G–d's creatures. Animals are widely recognized as helping and supporting humans and it is imperative in G-ds plan that we care for them. Holding the blessing service at the beginning of the Jewish new year reaffirms our covenant of compassion and kindness. It also corresponds with reading the book of Noah in the Jewish calendar.
While the tradition had its beginnings in Catholicism as a day to remember St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, congregations of all denominations, including Jews, now celebrate the specialness of all creatures. St. Francis (1182-1226) was a monk who founded the contemporary order of Franciscans. He was known for his vow of poverty and his special connection to animals, among many other things.
According to Rabbi Blane, "There are holy sparks in all creatures. Our pets bring much comfort and joy to us, especially for those who are alone or ill. Pet therapy and service animals are valuable resources in our society. Let's give thanks for all that our creatures do for us. "
About Sim Shalom and Rabbi Blane
Sim Shalom is an interactive online Jewish Universalist synagogue which is liberal in thought and traditional in liturgy. Created in 2009 by Rabbi Steven Blane on Manhattan's Upper West Side, Sim Shalom offers a means of connecting the unconnected. Rabbi Blane leads accessible and short Shabbat services every Friday night using a virtual interface and additionally Sim Shalom provides online education programs, Jazz concerts, conversion and life-cycle ceremonies along with weeknight services at 7:00PM EST led by Rabbis and students of this online community.
Rabbi Blane is also the founder and director of the Jewish Spiritual Leader's Institute, http://www.jsli.net, the online professional rabbinical program and the Union of Jewish Universalist Communities,http://www.ujuc.org.
Sim Shalom, a non profit 501 © (3) tax-exempt organization, nurtures a Jewish connection through its mission of innovative services, creative education and dynamic outreach to the global community. For more information visit our website or call 201-338-0165.