Jewish Dogs and the Web Sites They Love
The Jewish pet is coming up in the world. Last year we reported on “bark mitzvahs,” and synagogues around the country have began to hold annual “Blessings of the Animals” to coincide with a reading of the story of Noah’s Ark, at which pets can receive a certificate and a Hebrew name.
But what would rituals be without the proper accoutrements? A new Web site, www.m-o-D-t.com, which stands for “member of the Dog tribe,” manufactures and distributes a variety of “Jewish products for the modern Jewish dog.” Founded by Scott Mullen six months ago for family and friends, the site has become popular beyond his personal orbit.
“I just put together Star-of-David dog collars for fun,” Mullen said. “Now we get orders from all over the country.” M-o-D-t.com operates as a subsidiary of Mullen’s larger group, Equip, Inc., a Colorado-based manufacturer of nylon products. In addition to the collars, one can find Star-of-David leashes, Israeli military dog tags and a few items for dog owners.
So what’s next for m-o-D-t.com? Well, it seems that just like their human counterparts, Jewish pets deal with interfaith issues. This holiday season, look for a new line of collars, adorned with both menorahs and Christmas trees.
Why I became the Forward’s Editor-in-Chief
You are surely a friend of the Forward if you’re reading this. And so it’s with excitement and awe — of all that the Forward is, was, and will be — that I introduce myself to you as the Forward’s newest editor-in-chief.
And what a time to step into the leadership of this storied Jewish institution! For 129 years, the Forward has shaped and told the American Jewish story. I’m stepping in at an intense time for Jews the world over. We urgently need the Forward’s courageous, unflinching journalism — not only as a source of reliable information, but to provide inspiration, healing and hope.
