By Abbe Lunger, Founder of Print Art LLC
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Inspired by the need to do something positive for our Jewish community after the horrific events of October 7, 2023 and the aftermath, Rabbi Robyn Frisch (Founder of Mazel Pups) and I created the adorable, thoughtful, and extraordinary Pawsitively Jewish 2025 Calendar. The warmth and appreciation we received in response to our passion project—a 12-month calendar featuring 12 super-cute dogs celebrating Jewish holidays and sporting Jewish-themed clothing and/or accessories—was truly heartwarming and spoke volumes to the need for uplifting, light-hearted ways to celebrate being Jewish.
I don’t think any of us ever imagined that, as we approach 2026, we’d be in a time and place where antisemitism would be so rampant. Sadly, this seems to be getting worse, not better. The reality is that now, more than ever, the Jewish community needs to unite and support each other as we celebrate who we are, our history, and the traditions that bind us together. And what better way is there to celebrate anything than with a dog?
As in last year’s calendar, the 2026 version features a variety of dogs from throughout the US and Canada, each selected for the special way in which they display their Jewish pride. While all of the dogs celebrate Jewish traditions and activities in their own homes, many of our pawsitively awesome dogs are also active on social media, posting about their support of Israel, bringing awareness of the hostages, and fighting the fight against antisemitism. Some share their support out in the community as well, wearing bandanas and clothing with Israeli flags, Jewish stars, and other pro-Jewish and Israeli messaging.
Although not Jewish, our August dogs, sisters River and Brooke—Russell Terriers from Ottawa, Canada—stand strongly in support of their Jewish friends. As soon as I came across the photo of them wearing orange bandanas, a Batman cape and a toy with a Jewish star in view, I knew they’d be perfect for August. August is the birthday month of Ariel Bibas, the older of the two little orange-haired brothers that we all came to know as the youngest hostages kidnapped and murdered in captivity. Ariel’s favorite superhero was Batman.
Our cover dog, Berra—a rescue Lhasa Apso mix from Washington, DC—has been a voice for Israel through her social media activism. From rallies and protests to standing vigil at the Empty Shabbat Table each week, even marching in the Israeli Day Parade in NYC, Berra has been a steady presence in supporting Israel and the Jewish people, advocating alongside her humans in efforts to raise awareness to bring home the hostages. In Berra’s world, there’s no room for hate, especially antisemitism. She is a Proud Jewish Dog with a strong message to end antisemitism. She barks for love, justice, and a world where everyone can live freely.
A unique aspect of The Pawsitively Jewish Calendar is that we donate a portion of our profits to a Jewish and/or Israeli organization, with a preference to those with a canine component. Last year, we were thrilled to support the Israel Guide Dog Center, which provides guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired, PTSD-trained service dogs for soldiers who have experienced service-related emotional trauma, and emotional support dogs for those with special needs. This year, we are supporting the United Hatzalah’s Psychotrauma Canine Unit, which features certified handlers and specially trained dogs to provide emotional support and reduce anxiety, especially for children and teens, at emergency and disaster scenes. The unit is the first of its kind in Israel and aims to enhance United Hatzalah’s ability to provide immediate psychological assistance during emergencies. Both organizations are using the donated funds to enhance their existing programs with additional dogs and advanced training.
As part of our mission and goal to support as many Jewish organizations as possible and to spread our Jewish pride far and wide, we also offer the calendars to Jewish schools, synagogues, Jewish museums and Jewish community organizations to use for their own fundraising campaigns. We work with Jewish businesses as well, offering wholesale pricing so they can resell the calendars in their brick and mortar and online shops.
The past two years have awakened within me a deep curiosity as a Jew—about my grandparents and their families as Jewish immigrants, about the history of our Jewish ancestry, and about the history of the Jewish people in Israel. I’ve been inspired to cook Jewish foods, making hamantaschen for the first time, and am looking forward to baking my first challah! I’ve made wonderful new friends while participating in the Run4TheirLives weekly walks, friends who shared my commitment to help bring awareness to the hostages and support the hostage families. These are friends who understand what it is to be Jewish in these uncertain times. Together we celebrated the wins, such as each time a hostage was returned to Israel, as well as the heartbreaks when others were not.
Creating the calendar each year is an incredibly rewarding experience. It has helped me stay focused during these challenging times and has introduced me to the most thoughtful, giving and kind people, all of whom are so joyful to be sharing their dogs in support of the Jewish community. I’m thrilled to continue bringing Jewish joy, pawsitivity, and Jewish pride to even more people with the Pawsitively Jewish 2026 Calendar! Just in time for Hanukkah, the calendar—complete with US and Canadian national holidays, Jewish and Israeli holidays, dog-themed holidays, information about Jewish focused during these challenging times holidays and traditions, and fun facts about each featured dog—is a thoughtful gift for your Jewish family and friends. The precious dogs celebrating their Jewishness is a fun way to introduce children to Jewish holidays and traditions as well. A calendar celebrating being Jewish and Dogs, what’s not to love?!
To order your Pawsitively Jewish 2026 Calendar, go to https://printartkids.com/calendars
Contact us if you’d like to carry the calendars in your brick-and-mortar store or online shop, or for information about selling our calendars as part of your school, synagogue, or community organization’s fundraising campaign.
If you’re interested in submitting a photo of your dog for a future calendar, please contact Abbe Lunger at https://printartkids.com/contact.
