Jake,

Unless you are talking about how a bris relates to breastfeeding, this is indeed off topic, not to mention insulting to those of us for whom this is an important religious, and not just cultural, tradition.  It also shows ignorance; there is no reason for the infant to suffer needlessly during the bris and it is acceptable in many circles to numb the area before performing the bris.  He is held lovingly during the entire procedure, not strapped to a board as in hospitals.  The baby is able to nurse immediately following the bris.  The whole thing can be done with great sensitivity to the child AND adhere to religious dictates.  No, of course it is probably not completely painless, but neither is receiving an immunization.  Jewish boys who have been circumcised are no less "intact" than yours; they have entered an ancient covenant, dating back to the time of Abraham and Isaac.  Please show greater sensitivity in the future to those who believe differently from you.

Julie Rosen, JD, CD (DONA), LLLL




Date:    Wed, 17 Sep 2003 03:58:29 -0400
From:    Jake Marcus <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: O.T.:Re: Interesting point about the brit and breast milk

I am afraid that I, the AAP and the AMA have to disagree on this point.
There is no medical basis for the performance of a circumcism.  In fact
many, including me, consider it a form of genital mutilation.  See
http://www.nocirc.com  There is substantial evidence that it is both
extremely painful for the infant and leads to decreased genital sensation
(and thus decreased sexual pleasure) in adult men.  There are several law
suits right now, including one recently settled in New York (brought by a 21
year old man), for wrongful circumcison.  Both the AAP and AMA consider it
the removal of healthy tissue with no positive benefit to the child and
recommend against it.

Jake Marcus, the Jewish mother of three "intact" boys


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