Questioning Circumcision: A Jewish Perspective - Softcover

Goldman Ph.D., Ronald

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0964489562 ISBN 13: 9780964489561

Publisher: Vanguard Publications, 1997

Synopsis

QUESTIONING CIRCUMCISION: A JEWISH PERSPECTIVE is the first critical examination of the growing controversy of male infant circumcision with special attention to contemporary concerns of the Jewish community. Endorsed by five rabbis among others, this extraordinary book examines the origins, assumed benefits, risks, and unrecognized consequences of the Jewish practice with thorough documentation and moving personal experiences. Consider these facts: Circumcision is not universal among Jews. Jewish press articles have questioned circumcision. A male child born of a Jewish mother is a Jew, whether he is circumcised or not. Jewish circumcision has never had anything to do with health concerns. Circumcision conflicts with significant Jewish laws and values. An Israeli organization publicly opposes circumcision. "Dr. Goldman has written a thoughtful, provocative book on a difficult subject. He challenges us to reexamine long-held assumptions and to reconsider the practice of milah (ritual circumcision) in light of contemporary evidence. By giving us an insightful and carefully documented exploration of a controversial perspective, Dr. Goldman helps to foster a healthy and valuable dialogue within the Jewish community." -Rabbi Jonathan Kraus, Beth El Temple Center "If you are a liberal Jew, whether you see circumcision as the sanctification of the covenant, as a ceremony marking you as a Jew, or otherwise, this book stimulates deeper reflection about the practice. As an aware, concerned, and introspective people, Jews must examine whether our rites are right. We must determine if our ceremonies, traditions, and practices reflect our innermost beliefs. Asking ourselves and each other the question 'Why?' is one of the most sacred tasks to which a modern Jew can dedicate himself or herself." -Rabbi Donald Pollock, pastoral psychotherapist, writer, and lecturer Ronald Goldman, Ph.D., a psychological researcher, educator, and writer, is the executive director of the Circumcision Resource Center in Boston, a nonprofit educational organization. He is internationally known for his work on circumcision, gives lectures and seminars on the subject, and provides consultation to expectant parents and circumcised men. As the author of Circumcision: The Hidden Trauma, Dr. Goldman has been a featured guest on local and national radio and television shows and has been published in medical journals, newspapers, parenting publications, and Jewish periodicals.

About this title

From the Publisher

Endorsements
"Dr. Goldman has written a thoughtful, provocative book on a difficult subject. He challenges us to reexamine long-held assumptions and to reconsider the practice of milah (ritual circumcision) in light of contemporary evidence. By giving us an insightful and carefully documented exploration of a controversial perspective, Dr. Goldman helps to foster a healthy and valuable dialogue within the Jewish community." -RABBI JONATHAN KRAUS, Beth El Temple Center

"I highly recommend Questioning Circumcision: A Jewish Perspective particularly to expectant mothers and fathers early in their pregnancy so that they may have ample time to ponder its contents. I also recommend it to rabbis who counsel on the merits of circumcision, so they can offer a more informed perspective on this ritual." -RABBI RAYMOND SINGER, PH.D., neuropsychologist

"If you are a liberal Jew, whether you see circumcision as the sanctification of the covenant, as a ceremony marking you as a Jew, or otherwise, this book stimulates deeper reflection about the practice. As an aware, concerned, and introspective people, Jews must examine whether our rites are right. We must determine if our ceremonies, traditions, and practices reflect our innermost beliefs. Asking ourselves and each other the question 'Why?' is one of the most sacred tasks to which a modern Jew can dedicate himself or herself." -RABBI DONALD POLLOCK, pastoral psychotherapist, writer, and lecturer

"Jewish circumcision has traditionally been the province of males. This groundbreaking book sheds new light on the issue by also including women's views and feelings about circumcision." -RABBI LYNN GOTTLIEB, Nahalat Shalom Congregation

"For thousands of years we have ceremoniously circumcised our sons without knowing or honestly considering how this practice affects the child. In this book, Ronald Goldman presents us with compelling new information that we can't ignore." -RABBI BEVERLY LERNER, psychotherapist

"Thorough, moving, convincing, and of staggering importance. I believe this book will change Judaism for the better." -MICHAEL KORAN, Jewish educator

"Goldman's analysis of Jewish reluctance to discuss circumcision is right on the mark. The collective Jewish psyche will benefit from confronting circumcision anxieties and myths. This book will facilitate that process and should lead to more than a few changes of heart and mind." -DR. RICHARD SCHWARTZMAN, psychiatrist

"A bold, compassionate, and powerful critique of Jewish circumcision. With revealing new research, Goldman calls attention to the unrecognized physical and psychological effects connected with this procedure." -MYRON SHARAF, Ph.D., lecturer and author, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

"The information in this book was the most comprehensive we found. It was very useful in our decision not to circumcise. And after my father read it, he said he could really understand our feelings. I am certain that we made the right decision." -AVIVA FURMAN, mother of uncircumcised son

From the Author

The Purpose of This Book
Consider these facts:

o Circumcision is not universal among Jews.

o Jewish press articles have questioned circumcision.

o A male child born of a Jewish mother is a Jew, whether he is circumcised or not.

o Jewish circumcision has never had anything to do with health concerns.

o Circumcision conflicts with significant Jewish laws and values.

o An Israeli organization publicly opposes circumcision.

The circumcision debate in the Jewish community is visible and growing. An increasing number of Jews are choosing not to circumcise their sons. Yet for those Jews who are expecting a child and who want to explore their options, support for not circumcising their son can still be relatively hard to find.

The purpose of this book is to offer a clear understanding of what circumcision involves, to raise awareness about various concerns, to encourage Jews to take another look at our assumptions and feelings about circumcision, and to help resolve deep ethical, intellectual, and emotional conflicts. Though many readers will probably be expecting a child, I would hope that the larger Jewish community would also recognize a need for considering some of the questions raised here. The practice of circumcision really concerns all of us.

According to the Council of Jewish Federations 1990 National (American) Jewish Population Survey, "ninety percent define being Jewish as being a member of a cultural or ethnic group." Less than half associated their Jewish identity with religion. Only 13 percent believe "the Torah is the actual word of God." According to the survey, the general trend is away from traditional Judaism and toward a nontraditional approach.

Questioning Circumcision: A Jewish Perspective is written from a nontraditional viewpoint and is intended particularly for nontraditional Jews. It addresses the main concerns that nontraditional Jews are examining and includes the words of dozens of Jews, including rabbis past and present, who question circumcision. For some parents, this book answers questions they have been afraid to ask.

I hope that Questioning Circumcision: A Jewish Perspective will stimulate further discussion on this important subject. We owe it to our children to educate ourselves and do what is best for them.

(For those who choose not to circumcise their son, the Appendix includes examples of alternative rituals.)

Edition details

• Publisher: Vanguard Publications
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0964489562
• ISBN 13: 9780964489561
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144