When my son had his bris many years ago, I was excluded from the ceremony because I was a woman. I was also not fluent in Hebrew, nor were many of the guests. I was an outsider at this important occasion and had no idea what was going on!

Now that I am a mohelet, I provide my families with a very different experience.

I make sure that my ceremony is inclusive of all family members and friends present. I take particular care to explain and translate all of the prayers, and I explain all of my actions. I take steps to include family members of different religions and cultures when the bris is performed for an interfaith family. This should be a bonding experience.

I also give you, the family, the reassurance that a practicing pediatrician is performing this delicate surgery on your infant.