Tears, Sweat, and Blood: Meaningful B'rit Milah (and Hattafat Dam B'rit) for Conversion

Objective: Rabbis will improve their ability, when meeting with male candidates (infants, boys and adults) and their families, to: 1. Counter the prevalent misinformation about b'rit milah; 2. Explain both circumcision procedure (risks and costs) and halakhic ritual requirements; 3. Frame the rite so as to be transformative spiritually.

“Tears, Sweat, and Blood”
Meaningful B’rit Milah (and Hattafat Dam B’rit) for Conversion

PROGRAM (subject to change)

Welcome: Rabbi Zachary Shapiro
D’var Torah:
Rabbi David Stein

I. TEARS: Navigating the Pitfalls in Talking about B’rit Milah

Moderator:
Rabbi Stephen Einstein

Presenter:
Rabbi David E. S. Stein, “Putting This Rite in Context”

II. SWEAT: “Penis and Prepuce and Pain, Oh My!”

Moderator:
Rabbi Susan Laemmle

Presenters:
Andrew Shpall, MD, “Anatomy, Surgery, Healing, and Risks”
Jerome Pittman, MD, "Talking with Parents and Kids"
Rabbi Rochelle Robins “Transcending Pain and Trauma”

III. BLOOD: “Mah Betza B’dami?” (Psalm 30:10) Why Blood?

Moderator:
Rabbi Lisa Bock

Voices:
Rabbi Gabriel Botnick, "Perspectives from a Shochet and Mohel"
Martin Rawlings-Fein, "A Queer Perspective"
Presenter:
Rabbi Rachel Adler, “Perspectives from a Feminist Theologian”

IV. RITE: A Meaningful Conversion Element

Moderator:
Rabbi Dan Shevitz

Presenter:
Muriel Dance, PhD, “Report on Interviews with Past Candidates”

Respondents:
Andrew Shpall, MD (as mohel); Rabbi Lisa Edwards; Rabbi Yossi CarronRabbi; Michelle Missaghieh;

Lunch (1:00)

V. TEXT STUDY: Puzzles in the B’rakhah for B’rit Milah

Moderator:
Muriel Dance, PhD

Presenter:
Aryeh Cohen, PhD