Beyond the Bris & Bruchim

By David Smith

In 2014 I attended the Genital Autonomy Symposium in Boulder, Colorado and had the pleasure of meeting Lisa Braver Moss who gave a wonderful presentation entitled Beyond the Bris.
The Bris is the Jewish covenant of circumcision.
Bruchim habaim! Blessed are those who come!
You can find Lisa’s presentation here on Youtube.

Beyond the Bris was launched by Rebecca Wald in 2010 as a unique forum for Jewish people who question male infant circumcision. It is a place to share thoughts, feelings, and experiences with like-minded Jewish people and with the project’s global visitors.

The pace, scope, and direction of the project are dynamic and determined by a diverse group of contributing writers who share their unique stories and perspectives.

So who are Bruchim?

Fast forward to this year and I was delighted to read about a new organisation called Bruchim.

Bruchim habaim! Blessed are those who come!

This is a Hebrew greeting of welcome, and also the inspiration for their name. Bruchim believes non-circumcising Jews should be welcome in Jewish life — and should know they’re welcome.
Here is a link to Bruchims website.

The website says ‘If you hold traditional views about brit milah, you might be surprised to learn that some parents are opting out.

Maybe you’re fine with this, or maybe you think it’s a mistake. Whatever your feelings, Bruchim hopes you’ll agree that Jewish communities are strengthened when everyone is included.

The fact is, many non-circumcising Jews already take active roles in Jewish groups — as a congregation and board members, religious school teachers, even clergy. Many more are considering affiliation and involvement.

But are they welcome? And, if so, how is the welcome being conveyed?

“One large concern for non-circumcising Jewish families is how they and their children can participate in Jewish lifecycle events. Will a rabbi officiate at a covenantal birth ceremony that doesn’t include circumcision? Will a rabbi refuse to bar mitzvah a male who has not been circumcised? Some rabbis may refuse one, or both, of these services.”

Read the full article at Bruchim

Lisa Braver Moss, is Co-Founder & President and Rebecca Wald is Executive Director & Co-Founder.
Three of the board are well known to 15 Square and include Jonathan Friedman, Mark Reiss who has compiled a list of Brit Shalom celebrants.

Brit Shalom is a naming ceremony for Jewish families opting out of circumcision, and Eliyahu Ungar-Sargon, who made the documentary film Cut: Slicing Through The Myths of Circumcision.

Cut examines the subject of male circumcision from a religious, scientific and ethical perspective.

We wish Bruchim every success.

Important questions about circumcision have gone virtually unasked.

How many Jewish Americans are abstaining from circumcision?
How many Jewish babies have a traditional bris versus being circumcised in the hospital without a ceremony?
How many Jews who choose to circumcise do so for strictly religious reasons?
For parents who opt out, how often do they choose an alternative (brit shalom) ceremony?
What do the grandparents really think?
These and other important questions have gone virtually unasked.

Bruchim wants to know!

Why is it such a controversial subject?

Circumcision is a painful subject in more ways than one. Wars have even been fought over it.
Because of its religious associations, it can be difficult for people to talk about circumcision on health terms alone.

Our work focuses on dealing with the health side of the issue.

Still, we are always open to helping anyone discuss, debate and find resources for their own experience and understanding of circumcision.

Many men are happy with their circumcisions but we’ve had emails from men who are suicidal because of the problems resulting from their circumcision.

Some men heavily resent that they were circumcised as children.

They resent being deprived of the ability to make the decision for themselves as adults, this lack of consent and autonomy has led to many rifts, and alienation of parents.

Whatever your personal views on what constitutes good reason, remember that no surgery is without risk and that circumcision is surgery in a very delicate place that can fundamentally affect both physical and psychological well-being.