Congratulations on the Birth (Or Anticipated Birth) of Your Son

Congratulations on the birth (or anticipated birth) of your son.

I am honored that you have called me to perform the ceremony for Berit Mila for your son. Whether you invite 5 or 50 guests, the service that I use is modified from On the Doorposts of Your House, Jewish Publication Society. The ceremony and circumcision will fulfill the mitzvah of circumcision (mila) as commanded in Genesis 17:

“You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and that shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. And throughout the generations, every male among you shall be circumcised at the age of eight days.”

Of course, as with all simchas (happy occasions), a meal should be provided to finish off!!

You will need to choose at least 2 people to honor- both are traditionally Jewish; this IS a Jewish ritual.

The Kvatterin (a woman) or Kvatter (a man) willpresent your son to those assembled.

The Sandek will hold the boy (this may be literal or symbolic, I will use a Circumstraint board)

Other individuals may be honored by reading poetry, psalms or scriptures, saying Motzi or Kiddish.

Besides an English name you should choose a Hebrew name. I have references if you need help. The names don’t need to be a translation or equivalent but can be entirely different to honor someone or represent an attribute you wish for your son. For example, Lev from the Hebrew means heart and from the Yiddish means lion.You should plan to say a few words about the choice of your son’s names.

Please contact me if your have not received and reviewed the documents titled: Berit Mila List andInstructions for after Berit Mila for important information and medical instructions.Call or emailfor any questions.

I generally arrive 10 minutes before the service and stay approximately 40-60 minutes and change the diaper with you, check your son, and review care before I leave.

Please be sure to provide in advance: your email address, home address and the phone number. Specify the location where we will have the ceremony (if not at home) and the phone number (in case I am running late). I also need the full names for both parents with Hebrew name, if available, the date and time of birth and your child’s full names in English and Hebrew. Your local pharmacy number is needed so I can call in an RX for the anesthetic cream, EMLA. You can pick up gauze, baby Tyelenol and Vaseline when you pick up the cream.

If your son has not yet been born you should call soon after the birth to arrange for Berit Mila.

Mazel Tov!!

Sara L. Imershein, MD, MPH, FACOG

Certified Reform Mohelet

Member, National Association of American Mohelim and Mohelot (NOAM)

office 202 466 4800

cell 202 365 5300

Imershein & Birnkrant, PC 2311 M Street, NW Suite 304 Washington, DC 20037 202.466.4800 fax 202.466.4808