Europe Launches New Certification Program for Jewish Circumcision Practitioners

BELGIUM (VINnews) – A new Brussels-based program aims to strengthen medical training and professional standards for Jewish circumcision practitioners across Europe amid growing legal and political disputes over the religious practice.

The European Jewish Association and the Rabbinical Centre of Europe announced Tuesday the creation of the Centre of Excellence for Religious Male Circumcision, or CERM. The organizations say it is the first comprehensive medical certification program of its kind for qualified Mohalim outside Israel.

According to the European Jewish Press, the program will provide trained Mohalim with additional medical and safety education, practical evaluations and professional certification under the oversight of physicians and medical specialists.

The training will address areas including newborn assessment, hygiene, infection prevention, bleeding and wound care, recognition of complications, emergency procedures, infant basic life support and appropriate medical referrals.

The program also will emphasize knowing when a procedure should be postponed or when a baby should be referred to a medical professional.

European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Oliver Várhelyi welcomed the initiative, saying Jewish religious practices should be able to continue in Europe while maintaining high standards for child welfare and medical safety, EJP reported.

Rabbi Menachem Margolin, chairman of the European Jewish Association and the Rabbinical Centre of Europe, said the initiative is intended to demonstrate that religious freedom and child safety do not have to be competing priorities.

CERM’s launch comes as Belgium and other European countries continue to debate restrictions surrounding religious circumcision, including the role of non-physician practitioners.

Organizers said the program is designed to provide Jewish communities with an independently assessed medical framework while preserving Brit Milah, the traditional Jewish circumcision ceremony performed on the eighth day after birth.

EJP reported that the program’s medical advisory network includes specialists from several European countries and Israel, including physicians with experience in Israel’s system for training and supervising Mohalim.

The organizers said they ultimately hope CERM will become a European center for professional standards, medical cooperation and ongoing training related to religious male circumcision.