Beyond the Cut: Generative Refusal and the Reimagining of Jewish Affiliation in Contemporary Israel

ABSTRACT In Jewish‐Israeli society, circumcision ( brit milah ) carries far‐reaching significance, symbolizing both the covenant between god and the Jewish people and serving as a key marker of communal affiliation and cultural continuity. Drawing on in‐depth interviews with Jewish‐Israeli parents who have chosen not to circumcise their sons and using theoretical frameworks of generative refusal and care, this article examines the ethical reasoning and social implications of refusing this deeply entrenched practice. It argues that by contesting the normative association between physical inscription and Jewish collective identity, these parents suggest that community can be anchored in the protection of the vulnerable rather than in corporeal regulation. In the face of significant social and familial pressure, parents who refuse circumcision articulate an alternative vision of belonging, one that challenges established norms yet remains engaged with the collective—ultimately exemplifying the social significance of actions intentionally left undone.