US Bark Mitzvah

(AP Online) – Oy Vey! ‘Bark Mitzvahs’ are emerging as one of the latest crazes in dog-lover circles. (Jan. 4, 2012)

Credits: Research, pitch, produce, edit, script

Featured on ‘The Daily Show with Jon Stewart’, USA Today, Huffington Post and countless other outlets

Directly inspired the new National Geographic Channel series ‘Spoiled Rotten Pets’

HEADLINE: Bark Mitzvahs popular by American dog lovers
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CAPTION: Oy Vey! ‘Bark Mitzvahs’ are emerging as one of the latest
crazes in dog-lover circles.
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[LOCATION: Stanhope, NJ - December 18, 2011]
[Source: AP]
[VO:  Bark Mitzvah party]
[SOT/Lee Day, Bark  Mitzvah Performer:]
(“Nicky, this is a very special occasion for you. And Rabbi Otis, who is
one hundred years old – a whole century! – he is going to help me
oversee the Bark Mitzvah for you.”)
[VOICE OVER]
IT WAS ‘MUZZEL-TOV’ ALL AROUND FOR A SPECIAL DOG CALLED NICKY. THE
POMERANIAN POOCH WAS THROWN A SPECIAL ‘BARK-MITZVAH’ FOR TURNING TWO -
OR THIRTEEN IN DOG YEARS. THE EVENT IS ONE OF THE LATEST CRAZES IN DOG
LOVER CIRCLES, A BOOMING MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY.”
[SOT/Lee Day, Bark Mitzvah Performer:]
(“I perform Bark Mitzvahs because it’s a blessing for the animals. I
really believe in the right for animals to have a party and a
religion.”)
[VOICE OVER]
BUT WITH ALL THE WACKY CHUTZPAH IN A BARK MITZVAH, ITS HARD NOT TO ASK -
IS THERE A LINE BEING CROSSED?

[LOCATION:  Fairfield, CT - December 16, 2011]
[SOURCE: AP]
[VO: Office]
[SOT/Daniel Satlow, Conservative Rabbi:]
(“This is something that young Jewish adults prepare for years. It’s
really a part of a sacred tradition. To imagine a dog could do anything
like that is degrading.”)
[LOCATION: Stanhope, NJ - December 18, 2011]
[Source: AP]
[VO:  Bark Mitzvah party]

[VOICE OVER]
NICKY’S SISTER, SOPHIA IS FOUR NOW. IF SHE KEEPS HER ‘STUDIES UP, THEY
PLAN ON CONTINUING THE NEW TRADITION.
JANET WEINSTEIN, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
(*****END*****)

ANCHOR VOICE: JANET WEINSTEIN
VIDEO PRODUCER: JANET WEINSTEIN
VIDEO SOURCE: AP
VIDEO RESTRICTIONS: AP CLIENTS ONLY