CORONAVIRUS

OUTBREAK



Attendance at Orthodox circumcisions is to be restricted to a bare minimum, while the Progressive movements are suspending the ceremony altogether.

It follows the latest restrictions on government gatherings announced earlier this week.

The JC understands that circumcisions conducted by mohalim from the Initiation Society — which oversees Orthodox britot across the country — will be restricted to the parents of the baby and the mohel.

In ordinary times, a circumcision would typically feature the sandak, often a grandfather, who would hold the baby during the ritual, and the kvaters (godparents), who bring the baby to the sandak.

It is also usual to have a minyan present.

In a statement, the Association of Reform and Liberal Mohalim (ARLM) said it "remains committed to the enduring mitzvah of brit milah (covenant of circumcision).

"All members of the Association are Registered Medical Practitioners and as such are bound by the ethical and legal guidance of their profession.

"In light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, the Association considers that the preferable course is to suspend all circumcision activity for the present time."



"Such a difficult decision has not been made lightly, but we believe it is in keeping with the overriding Jewish value of pikuach nefesh (preserving life). We will of course be reviewing this decision regularly.



"The Association, together with Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism will do our utmost to support families during this unprecedented time and in the future. We shall be listening to their views also with the utmost care."

Rabbi Margaret Jacobi, joint chair of the Liberal Beit Din, said, “Because pikuach nefesh [saving lives] has got to come first and circumcision can wait, we have to be sure we are not exposing anybody to risk.”

A spokesman for Milah UK, the circumcision protection group, said the Initiation Society was “updating its guidance to ensure that it is in line with the latest regulations as they evolve”.