RITES OF PASSAGE

Alex Khomsky has a very nervous look on his face this morning. And understandably so. A Jewish emigre from Russia, Alex, 36, an avant-garde artist, is about to undergo his ritual circumcision, or brith-milah, usually performed on the eighth day following birth. Alex has some catching up to do.

“For most of my life, everything regarding Judaism was restricted or forbidden in Russia,” he explains in a thick accent. “I feel that I must feel myself a real Jew now. I must have a connection with my people. It is through this custom that I will find that connection.”

The mohel, a rabbi trained to perform the ritual, is Jacob Shechet. Although most of his customers are newborn infants, Rabbi Shechet has performed more than 4,000 circumcisions on adult Russian men all over the country during the past 17 years. .

“God has blessed me,” Rabbi Shechet says. “My job is very pleasant because it is a spiritual job working with the physical.”

Alex lies on a surgical table. With traditional Jewish music playing, Rabbi Shechet administers a local anesthetic. Then, just before the circumcision, the rabbi recites a benediction to commemorate Alex’s entering the covenant. In a few seconds, the brith is done, though adults, unlike newborns, require stitches. Twenty minutes later, Alex, a bit overwhelmed and bewildered, carefully stands up.

“I’m very glad that it’s not so painful,” he says, taking a deep breath in relief. “This morning I was a little worried. Before the circumcision, the soul is Jewish but the body is not Jewish. Now I’m 100% Jewish.”