Temple Beth Am Remembers 9/11; Blesses Pets

Parsippany's Temple Beth Am has been busy lately. The reform congregation shared photos of recent events with Patch.

On Aug. 28, the 45-year-old synagogue held a special Shabbat service to bless and honor pets and animals. More than 50 congregants and their best friends took part in Temple Beth Am's annual "Shabbark Shalom," including cats, dogs and a pair of gerbils.

The special prayers for the evening included a Mi Sheberach for the animals and a remembrance of past pets, prior to Kaddish, the Jewish prayer of mourning.  As a special treat, Temple member Kathy Decker presented classic egg and bread, "woof and meow" challahs, for guests to enjoy.

Temple Beth Am, headed by Rabbi Ronald W. Kaplan, also commemorated the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The community planted a pear tree on Sept. 11 in honor of past president Joyce Marlin, who survived the decade-old tragedy. Following a memorial service, the tree was planted by the entire religious school.