Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek (CBSRZ) will host its first Blessing of the Animals celebration on Sunday, Aug. 21 at 3 p.m. All pet lovers and their animals are invited. Animals must be leashed or otherwise suitably restrained.

Blessings of animals has been associated with Christian churches, but in recent years has been adopted in an increasing number of Jewish synagogues. The ritual itself dates back some 800 years to St. Francis of Assisi.

Rabbi Marci Bellows, who became the new spiritual leader of CBSRZ in July of this year, conducted a blessing of the animals ceremony in her previous synagogue on Long Island.

“It is a ritual in many churches and as a pet owner and a pet lover I know the importance of animals,” Bellows said.

She and her husband have three cats. Bellows noted that treating animals with kindness also has resonance in Jewish tradition, with repeated injunctions in scripture on compassionate care of all living things.

In the time Bellows has conducted Blessing of the Animals, attendees at the ritual have included not only cats and dogs, but birds, rabbits, and lizards. Though Bellows has been prepared for unpredictable antics, she said the most surprising thing has been how well behaved all the pets have been.

There will be refreshments for both human and animal attendees, including water for the pets, at the upcoming Blessing of the Animals.

Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, Aug. 21 at 3 p.m. at Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek, 55 East Kings Highway, Chester. All are welcome. For information, call 860-526-8920 or visit www.cbsrz.org.