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Cologne, Germany - Mohel Cleared In German Circumcision Controversy

Published on: February 24, 2013 02:30 PM

By: Glen Silver

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FILE - Rabbi David Goldberg looks through a golden Star of David in a room of the Israeli religious community in Hof, Germany, 26 July 2012. EPA

Cologne, Germany - All charges have been dropped against a Hof Rabbi for continuing to perform circumcisions in Germany.

Jüdische Allgemeine (http://bit.ly/15HbMCf) is reporting that Rabbi David Goldberg, who has worked as a mohel in Germany since 1997, was cleared of all charges on Thursday when a Cologne court ruled that he had satisfied all requirements regarding child welfare “which are not jeopardized by the circumcision.”

“Circumcisions that are made with the consent of parents or custodians are not subject to criminal liability,” read a statement from the prosecutor.

Charges against Rabbi Goldberg were brought last year after a Cologne court ruled that circumcision was illegal in Germany.

The German parliament has since passed a new law allowing circumcision, with some restrictions.

“I never had any doubts, said Rabbi Goldman. “I still performed circumcisions. But I think this is very good news for parents who did have doubts, and for the entire Jewish community.”

Dieter Graumann, President of the Central Council of Jews, said he was relieved at the decision of the prosecutor, and that the case is now closed.

“This shows how important it was to quickly find a new legal regulation to be circumcised,” said Graumann. “This has produced legal certainty. For the Jews in Germany, this is another important signal that Jewish life is possible and welcome in Germany.”

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