Briefing & evidence
Understand the issue correctly
Provide medical, scientific, religious-practice and legal context so decision-makers can distinguish evidence, assumptions and jurisdiction-specific questions.
Policy & Research
Evidence, technical advice and proportionate legal frameworks
CERM supports lawmakers and public authorities with medical, professional, legal and comparative-policy expertise. The objective is practical regulation that protects child welfare and safety while respecting lawful religious practice and fundamental rights.
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How CERM assists lawmakers and public authorities
CERM can support policy development from the first expert briefing through consultation, drafting and implementation.
Comparative policy
Compare European approaches
Analyse existing national frameworks, case law and regulatory models and identify safeguards that may be transferable to another jurisdiction.
Technical recommendations
Turn objectives into workable rules
Develop policy options, professional standards, certification concepts, referral structures, documentation requirements and other proportionate safeguards.
Consultation
Bring experts to the table
Coordinate medical, practitioner, legal, academic and community expertise for ministries, parliaments, regulators and other public bodies.
Implementation
Support practical roll-out
Help translate agreed standards into training, professional guidance, information materials, quality assurance and continuing review.
Legal context
Assess rights and proportionality
Provide expertise on freedom of religion, parental responsibility, national law and less-restrictive means of achieving legitimate safety objectives.
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A proportionate policy framework
The most useful question is not whether safety or religious freedom matters more. It is what concrete framework can protect both.
Legitimate objective
Protect children
Clear safety standards, pre-procedure assessment, hygiene, appropriate aftercare and emergency readiness are compatible with serious religious practice.
Regulatory method
Use proportionate tools
Training, certification, published standards, documentation, continuing education and referral pathways can address risk directly.
Fundamental rights
Preserve religious life
Policy should avoid making authentic religious practice impossible where safety objectives can be achieved through less restrictive measures.
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The CERM Standard — in development
A seven-pillar framework designed to make safety expectations visible, understandable and auditable. This is a policy architecture, not yet a final clinical standard.
1. Qualified practitionerRecognised religious qualification remains a precondition.
2. Pre-procedure assessmentStructured checks before any procedure takes place.
3. Hygiene & sterilisationDocumented asepsis and infection-prevention practice.
4. Pain & infant welfareComfort measures treated as part of safe practice.
5. Safe aftercareClear parent guidance and structured follow-up.
6. Recognise & referEarly recognition of complications and timely referral.
7. Clinical governance & continuing educationRecording, review, recertification and continuous improvement.
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Legal & fundamental-rights expertise
CERM’s statutes place legal and public-policy work alongside its medical, research and training functions.
CERM provides advice, technical support and policy recommendations to national, European and international institutions, public authorities, courts, professional bodies, academic institutions and civil-society organisations.
Its remit also includes defending freedom of religion, fundamental rights and proportionate, evidence-based regulation and, where appropriate, participating in administrative or judicial proceedings.
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Understanding Brit Milah
A concise policy primer for readers who do not come from a Jewish or medical background.
Brit Milah is the Jewish religious covenant of circumcision and is traditionally performed on the eighth day after birth when the infant is medically fit. It is a foundational religious practice with deep significance for Jewish identity, family and communal continuity.
The practitioner is called a Mohel (plural: Mohalim). Religious qualification concerns the laws, traditions and operative requirements of Brit Milah. CERM’s work is deliberately additional to that qualification and focuses on medical safety and professional standards.
Important distinction
Religious circumcision is not simply a generic elective medical procedure performed for the same purpose or in the same institutional setting. Sound public policy should understand both the religious context and the safety responsibilities involved.
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Research, publications & background documents
CERM can initiate, conduct, support, publish and disseminate scientific and practice-oriented research. Authorship is explicit: CERM documents are shown separately from partner material.
CERM material
CERM · Draft framework
Supplementary Medical & Professional Curriculum
Open PDFPartner / background material
European Jewish Association
Protecting Religious Circumcision in Belgium
Open PDFEuropean Jewish Association
Brit Milah factsheet
Open PDFEuropean Jewish Association
Conference media advisory
Open PDF
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Policy FAQ
Is CERM only a training organisation?
No. Training and certification are one part of a broader remit that also includes research, public information, policy advice, legal and fundamental-rights expertise, conferences and institutional partnerships.
Is CERM advocating for no medical regulation?
No. CERM supports clear, proportionate safety standards and professional accountability. Its purpose is to translate legitimate safety concerns into workable standards that remain compatible with religious practice.
Does CERM certification make someone a doctor or licensed medical professional?
No. CERM certification confirms only CERM-defined supplementary competencies and does not confer regulated professional authority.
Does CERM replace national law?
No. Practitioners must comply with the legal and professional requirements applicable in the jurisdiction where they practise.
Does CERM replace existing Mohel organisations?
No. It is not a union, does not confer religious qualification and can work with already-qualified Mohalim regardless of their organisational affiliation.