“Isn’t being a Jew against circumcision like being a Catholic opposed to communion?”
In the inaugural episode of The Bruchim Podcast, Bruchim co-founder and podcast host Eliyahu Ungar-Sargon and guest Max Buckler, Bruchim’s Director of Strategic Initiatives, tackle one of the most misunderstood ideas in Jewish life today: that one can be both Jewish and opposed to circumcision.
Ungar-Sargon opens the conversation by confronting the apparent contradiction: Isn’t being a Jew against circumcision like being a Catholic opposed to communion?
The answer, as both he and Buckler explain, is a resounding no. Jewish identity is far more complex than adherence to specific religious practices. Unlike belief-centric faiths like Christianity or Islam, Jewish identity weaves together ethnicity, culture, history, and yes—varying levels of religious observance and belief.
Buckler, whose personal journey spans Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Jewish spaces, emphasizes that questioning long-held practices is itself a deeply Jewish act. He critiques the lack of critical conversation around circumcision within the Jewish community, noting that while Jews regularly engage in deep ethical reflection on issues like gender equality and LGBTQ+ inclusion, circumcision has remained largely untouched—taboo, even. Bruchim was created, in part, to change that.
Together, Ungar-Sargon and Buckler call out the harmful effects of a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policies when it comes to the growing Jewish noncircumcision movement. Too many Jewish parents who opt out are left wondering if they still belong in their communities. Bruchim steps into that gap—not to push anyone in or out of Judaism, but to affirm that those who reject circumcision are still Jews, and that they and their children deserve a place at the table.
Listeners are reminded that Jewish tradition has always evolved through ethical challenges—from abandoning animal sacrifice to embracing female and queer rabbis. Why should circumcision be exempt from this scrutiny?
With warmth, candor, and a commitment to inclusion, this first episode of The Bruchim Podcast sets the tone for an ongoing conversation that is long overdue in Jewish life. If you’ve ever felt alone in your convictions, this is a space where you are truly welcome.
🎧 Listen to the episode: Bruchim Podcast – Episode 1
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