Councilman David G. Greenfield today hailed the vote of the New York City Board of Health to reverse its unconstitutional policy that forced parents to sign consent forms before Metizah Bpeh could take place at a Bris Milah.

“For over 3,700 years Jews have been practicing Bris Milah without regulations. It is quite literally the most fundamental article of our Jewish faith,” said Councilman Greenfield. “Today’s vote by the Board of Health rights a wrong that should never have been made in the first place. Government should never intrude on religious practices. That’s why today is a victory not just for the Jewish community, but for every New Yorker who values our constitution’s First Amendment right to religious freedom. New Yorkers of all faiths should be celebrating with us. I thank Mayor Bill de Blasio and his health department for finally overturning this discriminatory rule.”

Greenfield fought against the regulations on Bris Milah since they were introduced under Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration. Greenfield even voted against the 2013 re-appointment of a member of the Board of Health to protest the Board’s unwarranted intervention in Bris Milah.

(YWN Desk – NYC)