Two institutions of the Conservative movement—the Rabbinical Assembly and Jewish Theological Seminary—announced that they will offer “comprehensive training” on brit milah to medical professionals who perform non-religious circumcisions.
“Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the ceremony, its religious significance and best practices for conducting this sacred ritual,” the groups stated. “The collaboration reflects Conservative Judaism’s commitment to helping Jewish communities throughout the world observe traditional practices in a modern context.”
The training, which is scheduled to run for five days and to take place in November, will also address “non-medical rituals for simchat bat,” a ceremony for baby girls. It will “prepare participants to become mohelim/mohelot certified in ritual and Jewish law by the Conservative movement,” according to the release.
The seminary and the assembly offered similar training last October, Matt Landini, a spokesman for the groups, told JNS.