The recent establishment of a union of mohalim, the officiators who perform Jewish ritual circumcision, will be officially announced in Germany this week in response to the recent Council of Europe nonbinding resolution to ban circumcision. Europe's Jewish population anticipates that this move will help prove to their governments that Jewish ritual circumcision is regulated, professional and not harmful to the infants on whom it is performed.
The 28th Conference of European Rabbis, which will begin in Berlin on Sunday, will cover various topics of concern to European Jews, particularly the growing limitations being placed on ritual circumcision and kosher slaughter.
At the top of the agenda is the announcement of the establishment of the Union of Mohalim in Europe, which enforces the thorough training, certification and close supervision of mohalim from both halachic (Jewish law) and medical perspectives. The union was first formed in July of this year, but has become increasingly important following the European council's October resolution.
About a month ago, the Council of Europe determined that circumcision performed on children may be harmful to their "physical and mental health" and violates their right to physical integrity. In the explanation of the resolution calling for a circumcision ban, it is written that "certain operations and practices will not be carried out before a child is old enough to be consulted." The council's resolution also refers to female genital mutilation and was decided on the basis of a professional committee's report led by a German member of parliament.
The resolution further calls upon those performing circumcisions to ensure adequate training as well as medical and sanitary conditions for the procedure.
The resolution concerned European Jews, who are worried that it is a step toward the legal ban of religious circumcision. According to Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, chief rabbi of Moscow and president of the Conference of European Rabbis, circumcision only became a hot-button issue in Europe following the arrival of millions of Muslim immigrants, who have differing circumcision practices and standards.
Goldschmidt added that the new union will allow Jewish communities to ensure only the highest and most professional level of circumcision, and to regulate the quality of mohalim performing the "holy task."
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