Howard sponsored Shabbat at Emanu-El Milwaukee. Howard is a dog.
It was respectful. There was no doggie d’Var Torah. No animals at the ark.
Shabbat has not gone to the dogs.
But Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun held an outdoor Shabbat service last month that was attended by dogs, sponsored by a dog, and where at least one high-energy canine congregant had to be coaxed to sit for a photo with a treat. So much for the day of rest.
(All photos were shot by the Chronicle before sundown – don’t say we’ve committed a shonda, doggonit.)
Howard Kushner-Rasansky, a rough collie, was actually a smooth operator, never saying anything about his sponsorship of Shabbat or his work in hospice. Yasher koach to his humans – he is active as a certified therapy dog in the community.
“Today, Howard is at services,” said doggie momma and Emanu-El congregant Beth Kushner, with a meaning-laden sweep of her hand, when asked what Howard’s mock yarmulka and faux tallis were meant to represent.
“He also davens,” Beth said. “He’ll go like this for me,” she said, demonstrating.
“He’s also a greeter for the humane society. He has a dinner jacket.”
Howard is not just anyone in the community. He’s a big macher, for sure a top dog.
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