A traditional Jewish Bris Milah ceremony has been held in a Montenegrin correctional facility for the first time.

Pictured: members of the Jewish community of Montenegro, coming together as one big family

For the first time in the history of the Montenegrin penitentiary system, the Jewish rite of Brit Milah was performed in a Montenegrin prison. Leaders of the Jewish community of Montenegro expressed their gratitude to the authorities and the prison administration for their cooperation.

The procedure was carried out by a practicing physician and mohel, specially invited from Israel. On the same day, several other men in Montenegro underwent this vital Jewish ritual.

“The Jewish community of Montenegro ensures that Jewish inmates can practice their faith without hindrance. Within the framework of the new EAJC Regional Office program, visits by a rabbi to Jewish prisoners will be conducted on a weekly basis. We will provide ritual services and spiritual support to Jewish inmates, and make the necessary efforts to protect the religious freedom of prisoners,” stated the Chief Rabbi of the Jewish community of Montenegro, Ari Edelkopf.

The new Regional Office of the EAJC, headed by the President of the Jewish Community of Montenegro, Đorđe Raičević, has officially commenced its operations in Montenegro. The office is dedicated to researching and coordinating Jewish communities within the Balkan region.

“The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress is committed to supporting crucial initiatives aimed at the well-being of Jewish communities and every individual Jew in the Balkan region, providing opportunities for a full Jewish communal life,” said EAJC President Mikhael Mirilashvili.