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In this episode we speak with Shiri Homler, from the touching new Instagram initiative Bark Them Home. Shiri shares how shaken up she was by the events of October 7, 2023 in Israel and how – though she lives in Connecticut – she wanted to do something to help Israel. Ultimately, Shiri joined Barry and Cindy, who both live in Canada, in creating Bark Them Home.

Bark Them Home uses Instagram to make people aware of and educate them about Oketz, the canine unit of the IDF. Shiri shares the moving history of the Oketz Unit and the indispensable role the soldiers and dogs in this elite canine unit play in recovery and security efforts. Shiri talks about, among other things, Oketz’s urgent needs for supplies, as well as the dignified and moving ways that fallen dogs from the Oketz Unit are honored, underscoring the critical contributions of these canine heroes and their handlers.

We also talk about Bark Them Home’s sharing about hostages who have dogs, exploring themes of grief, healing, and the unbreakable bonds between humans and their dogs. Shiri emphasizes the importance of balancing heart-wrenching stories with moments of joy, highlighting the cathartic power of these narratives.

Shiri concludes with a call to action, encouraging listeners to follow Bark Them Home on Instagram and to share their posts, and to support the Oketz Unit by donating to help procure new dogs and essential supplies.

You can follow Bark Them Home on Instagram at @barkthemhome

You can read about the Oketz Unit at https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/our-corps-units-brigades/oketz-unit/oketz-unit/

I hope you enjoy listening to the Mazel Pups podcast as much as I enjoy making it. If you have an idea for a future episode or want to be in touch, email me at mazelpups@gmail.com.

If you want more of Mazel Pups, you can:
* Follow on Instagram @mazelpups
* Follow the Mazel Pups Facebook Page
* Join the Mazel Pups Facebook Group
* Check out the Mazel Pups Store with fun Jewish dog-themed items for dogs & humans (mazelpups.com.shop)

And you can now pre-order (at a discount) the PAWSITIVELY JEWISH 2025 CALENDAR, which features super cute dogs dressed up for & celebrating Jewish holidays, as well as including Jewish & Israeli holidays, dog holidays & national US & Canadian holidays. (PrintArtKids.com/Calendars)

Finally, I'd love it if you'd subscribe to the podcast and give the episodes you've listened to a "thumbs up."

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Rabbi Robyn

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How do guide dogs transform lives beyond offering mobility and safety? Join me, Rabbi Robyn Frisch, as I welcome back Michael Leventhal, Treasurer of the Board of the Israel Guide Dog Center, who shares some of the heartwarming stories and inspiring journeys behind these incredible animals. First, you’ll hear me share about the "Positively Jewish 2025" calendar, a charming collection showcasing dogs celebrating Jewish traditions – a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the Israel Guide Dog Center.

Michael provides intriguing details about how donors can name a guide dog and follow its journey, making a meaningful impact from start to finish. Also, through poignant anecdotes, we explore the life-changing impact guide dogs have on their handlers, offering both independence and a unique form of companionship and social engagement. Hear how families and individuals navigate the emotional transition from using canes to partnering with guide dogs. These stories highlight these dogs' profound role in fostering connections and breaking down social barriers, enriching the lives of those adjusting to blindness.

We also delve into the challenges the Israel Guide Dog Center has faced following the October 7th events in Israel. Learn about the heartbreaking loss of a client and the sudden influx of dogs needing care as puppy raisers were called into military service. Discover how the center's dedicated volunteers rose to the occasion, ensuring the continued care of their dogs and addressing the rising demand for both guide and PTSD service dogs. Despite the hurdles and limited government funding, the center's mission endures with the unwavering support of international donors. Join us in supporting this vital work and stay updated by following Mazel Pups on social media.

I hope you enjoy listening to the Mazel Pups podcast as much as I enjoy making it. If you have an idea for a future episode or want to be in touch, email me at mazelpups@gmail.com.

If you want more of Mazel Pups, you can:
* Follow on Instagram @mazelpups
* Follow the Mazel Pups Facebook Page
* Join the Mazel Pups Facebook Group
* Check out the Mazel Pups Store with fun Jewish dog-themed items for dogs & humans (mazelpups.com.shop)

And you can now pre-order (at a discount) the PAWSITIVELY JEWISH 2025 CALENDAR, which features super cute dogs dressed up for & celebrating Jewish holidays, as well as including Jewish & Israeli holidays, dog holidays & national US & Canadian holidays. (PrintArtKids.com/Calendars)

Finally, I'd love it if you'd subscribe to the podcast and give the episodes you've listened to a "thumbs up."

Thanks for listening!
Rabbi Robyn

Send us a text

Join Rabbi Robyn for a heartfelt and informative conversation with Michael Leventhal, former Executive Director and current Treasurer of the Board of USA Friends of the Israel Guide Dog Center.

Discover the incredible journey of Noach Braun, a former IDF paratrooper, whose unwavering determination led to the creation of Israel's first guide dog school for the blind in 1991. Noach traveled from Israel to the US to raise funds from Jewish sources to create the guide dog school, and he faced countless rejections. Eventually, he met Norman Leventhal (Michael’s father), who wholeheartedly supported Noach’s cause and made it possible for Noach’s dream to become a reality. Noach's story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance.

In this episode, we delve into the process of breeding, raising, and training these exceptional dogs. Learn how volunteers, typically university students, dedicate a year to raising puppies and teaching them obedience and commands, before facing an emotional separation when the dogs are ready for their essential roles. Understand the rigorous training and evaluation these dogs undergo to ensure they are perfectly equipped to assist the blind, visually impaired, and those with PTSD or special needs. We also touch on the deep relationships formed between the dogs and their raisers, as well as the dogs and their eventual owners.

Hear moving accounts of lives transformed through the gift of a guide dog. This episode is a powerful tribute to the remarkable impact these guide dogs have on individuals and their communities, and a celebration of the enduring connection between humans and their canine companions.

And best of all, there’s more to come in the next episode, when Michael will return to share more about this very special organization.

I hope you enjoy listening to the Mazel Pups podcast as much as I enjoy making it. If you have an idea for a future episode or want to be in touch, email me at mazelpups@gmail.com.

If you want more of Mazel Pups, you can:
* Follow on Instagram @mazelpups
* Follow the Mazel Pups Facebook Page
* Join the Mazel Pups Facebook Group
* Check out the Mazel Pups Store with fun Jewish dog-themed items for dogs & humans (mazelpups.com.shop)

And you can now pre-order (at a discount) the PAWSITIVELY JEWISH 2025 CALENDAR, which features super cute dogs dressed up for & celebrating Jewish holidays, as well as including Jewish & Israeli holidays, dog holidays & national US & Canadian holidays. (PrintArtKids.com/Calendars)

Finally, I'd love it if you'd subscribe to the podcast and give the episodes you've listened to a "thumbs up."

Thanks for listening!
Rabbi Robyn