Just Released: 1994 Bris of First Belz Grandson

From the AP Archives: Thousands of Orthodox Jews gathered in Jerusalem today (Monday) to celebrate the circumcision of a Hasidic prince.

The ancient ritual was performed on the first grandson of Rebbe Yissachar Dov Rokeah, the leading Belz Hasidic rabbi in Israel.

The circumcision of eight-day old Shalom Rokeah was broadcast live via satellite to the United States where the Belz Hasidic movement has a wide following.

Crowds of religious followers witnessed in Jerusalem today (Monday) the circumcision of a Hasidic prince.

The ancient Jewish ritual was performed on Shalom Rokeah, only grandson of Rabbi Rokeah, head of the Belz Hasidic dynasty.

Staunchly observant Jews, the Belz were nearly wiped out in the Nazi Holocaust and resurrected in Israel. There are about 16-thousand Belz worldwide today making it one of the three largest Hasidic movements.

The 20-year-old father, Aharon, made the cut as cameras broadcast the event live via satellite to the United States where the Belz have a large group of followers.

Police closed roads in the Kiryat Belz neighborhood as thousands of guests filed through the main synagogue to wish the Rebbe "Mazel Tov," (congratulations).

The father's wedding 19 months ago was one of the largest ever in Israel with over 30- thousand guests attending.

Click here for the wedding of Shalom Rokeach.