By REBECCA WALD
I imagine a Jewish future where circumcision is entirely optional, and the parental decision not to circumcise carries no stigma and no consequences.
I imagine a Jewish future where millions of Jewish babies are spared from the trauma of circumcision, and at eight days old are welcomed into Jewish life with beautiful brit ceremonies that don’t include removing their foreskins.
I imagine a Jewish future where millions of male-bodied Jews grow up with their foreskins, and don’t have to wonder whether circumcision impacted their sexual experience or resulted in unrecalled trauma.
I imagine a Jewish future where circumcision for cultural or religious reasons is a choice made by adults, who can have their foreskins removed if they feel this helps them closer to Judaism, the divine, or for any other reason.
These are radical ideas but they are also sensible ones. We are not too far away from the future I’m imagining. Change is happening quickly. Performing medically unnecessary surgeries on people, without their consent, for religious or cultural reasons is wrong. That plain truth is our greatest ally.
Many Jewish parents are already allowing their sons to decide for themselves whether they want to be circumcised. Many more will be doing so in coming years. As novelist Gary Shtyngart has so aptly stated: “it’s an unstoppable train.”
I want to tear down norms around Jewish circumcision but I don’t want to tear down Judaism. That’s why much of my current energies are devoted to Bruchim, the nonprofit that I helped to found and now co-lead.
Launched in 2021, Bruchim is the only organization of its kind that supports non-circumcising Jews in Jewish life. We have a directory of synagogues, clergy, and Jewish spaces that openly welcome Jews who don’t circumcise. We have a free concierge service that helps non-circumcising families navigate the complexities of staying connected to Judaism. We have a YouTube channel and a terrific podcast. Most importantly, we have many grateful families that we’ve helped, and are helping.
Please enjoy exploring this website, with many past posts from Jews who question circumcision. Then head over to Bruchim, and see what we’re all about.
