![nationalpost:
Circumcision: ‘Mutilation’ or an ‘act of love’?Rebecca Wald is “100% Jewish.” She celebrates the high holidays, her children attend Hebrew school, she lights candles on the sabbath and she was married to a “100% Jewish” man under a chuppah at a traditional Jewish wedding.But unlike most Jews, from the most secular to the ultra-orthodox, she did not circumcise her son. She has never attended — will never attend — a bris, the age-old ceremony where a Jew trained in circumcision (a ‘mohel’) removes the foreskin of an eight-day-old Jewish boy as a sign of his covenant with God.“All of the babies I saw growing up — whether cousins or the kids I babysat — were circumcised, and it seemed like that was the way things were supposed to be,” said Ms. Wald, who in December launched Beyond the Bris, a website for Jews who question circumcision. “It took having a son, who is intact, for me to really accept how normal [the uncircumcised penis] is.”The South Florida mom is among a growing and vocal minority of Jewish “intactivists” who are challenging the 4,000-year-old ritual because, they say, the procedure inflicts unnecessary pain without any health gains, causes long-term psychological harm, hinders sexual function and pleasure, and strikes at the core of consent. They say there are Jewish women who silently pray they will not bear a son, and that the question, ‘When’s the bris?’ is too presumptive.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqc61zHIRX1qze0z6o1_500.jpg)
Circumcision: ‘Mutilation’ or an ‘act of love’?
Rebecca Wald is “100% Jewish.” She celebrates the high holidays, her children attend Hebrew school, she lights candles on the sabbath and she was married to a “100% Jewish” man under a chuppah at a traditional Jewish wedding.
But unlike most Jews, from the most secular to the ultra-orthodox, she did not circumcise her son. She has never attended — will never attend — a bris, the age-old ceremony where a Jew trained in circumcision (a ‘mohel’) removes the foreskin of an eight-day-old Jewish boy as a sign of his covenant with God.
“All of the babies I saw growing up — whether cousins or the kids I babysat — were circumcised, and it seemed like that was the way things were supposed to be,” said Ms. Wald, who in December launched Beyond the Bris, a website for Jews who question circumcision. “It took having a son, who is intact, for me to really accept how normal [the uncircumcised penis] is.”
The South Florida mom is among a growing and vocal minority of Jewish “intactivists” who are challenging the 4,000-year-old ritual because, they say, the procedure inflicts unnecessary pain without any health gains, causes long-term psychological harm, hinders sexual function and pleasure, and strikes at the core of consent. They say there are Jewish women who silently pray they will not bear a son, and that the question, ‘When’s the bris?’ is too presumptive.
![ecosnobberysucks:
The future of cycling, by the numbers [INFOGRAPHIC]
Cycling is exploding in the United States, and there is no secret as to why. Bicycling can help you get (or stay) in shape, save you money, eliminate the need to sit in traffic jams, or even become a sport to get involved in.
Not to mention the fact that it’s just plain fun.
The great folks at WellHome have taken lots of the data on cycling’s benefits and growth in the United States and compiled it in an awesome, easy to follow infographic for your viewing pleasure.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqckr3OuOH1qgfliko1_500.jpg)
The future of cycling, by the numbers [INFOGRAPHIC]
Cycling is exploding in the United States, and there is no secret as to why. Bicycling can help you get (or stay) in shape, save you money, eliminate the need to sit in traffic jams, or even become a sport to get involved in.
Not to mention the fact that it’s just plain fun.
The great folks at WellHome have taken lots of the data on cycling’s benefits and growth in the United States and compiled it in an awesome, easy to follow infographic for your viewing pleasure.
(Source: t.co)
