BROOKLYN
The harmonious development of people living in the country over the years makes it possible to preserve and develop their heritage, spiritual values, and national culture related to the people’s own identity.
The cultural life of the Jewish community has always been based on the preservation of traditions, customs and history, and it continues to be intense and is gaining new facets of its development every year thanks to the Jewish Center in Brooklyn.
This is a place where people of all ages can heartily join the Jewish traditions. The center successfully organizes cultural and family events and joint celebrations in full accordance with the Jewish tradition.
This is a House where everyone and everyone who comes here is welcome, they show honor and respect, which makes you feel good and comfortable. And this is thanks to Rabbi Filer Rimler and Rabbi Nathan Arister.
On January 1, the first day of the new year, 2026, the Brit Milah (circumcision) event of Sergey Ilizirov’s grandson Aryeh Nachman Waren was solemnly held at the Jewish Center for Life, Traditions and Education in Brooklyn.
According to Jewish tradition, the circumcision of the Brit milah is a symbol of the covenant between God and the people of Israel.
The first commandment that the first Jew, our forefather Abraham, received was the commandment of circumcision; it was also the first commandment received by the Jewish people. Circumcision is a sign of a sacred union on the body of a Jew; having fulfilled this commandment, a person enters into a union with the Almighty, the God of Israel.
Sergey Ilizirov’s family adheres to the traditions of Judaism and according to the laws of the Torah that Jewish boys should be circumcised on the 8th day of life, the Brit milah (circumcision) Aryeh Nachman Waren event was held by Sergey Ilizirov’s grandson
The Talmud explains that in a week the mother will be able to recover in order to take a full part in this joyful event.
Traditionally, circumcision was performed after the morning prayer solemnly conducted by Rabbi Filer Rimler.
The process of circumcision was performed by the best and most righteous Moel, he performed circumcision with correct and pure thoughts, which, in turn, will help the baby to unite with G-d in purity.
During the circumcision, the child was placed on the lap of grandfather Sergei Ilizirov sandak, who sat on a special chair. It is a great honor to be a sandak. The knees of Sergey’s grandfather’s sandak become like an altar on which sacrifices are offered to the Lord. Being a sandak is even more honorable than being a moel.
The father of the child, as it were, appoints Moel as his messenger to fulfill the commandment of circumcision and places the boy on sandak’s lap.
The final part of the operation is a dressing. The child’s father said thanks, after which the child was handed over to the father, and Moel, raising a glass of wine, pronounced a blessing on the wine and a blessing to God, who established a covenant with his people. Then Moel read a prayer for the child’s health, announcing his name and gave the child a few drops of sweet wine.
At the end of the circumcision procedure, everyone proclaimed «Mazel Tov!», congratulated the parents and wished: «As he entered the union, so may he enter the Torah, marriage and good deeds.»
During the ceremony of introducing the newborn to the union of the forefather Abraham, the boy was given a traditional Jewish name Aryeh Nachman Waren.
After the circumcision, a solemn meal was organized. This meal is prescribed by law, and it is a great commandment to participate in it. Participation in the meal in honor of circumcision contributes to the atonement of sins.
SHAKHISTA MAKSUDOVA / Professor / Brooklyn