Mohel

I am training with Rabbi Gary Atkins (board-certified mohel) and Dr. Avidon Appel, MD to become certified to perform all the ritual, pastoral, and surgical aspects of the brit miliah (circumcision) ceremony. I expect to finish my certification in 2023.

I am drawn to brit milah specifically because it is as challenging as it is important. I believe strongly that egalitarian movements should have mohalimand mohalot trained to carry out the mitzvah for our community members without compromising our values. I believe in taking a sensitive pastoral approach, and to enter all Jewish babies into the covenant with the Divine with grace, care, and a love of tradition.

I feel strongly that babies of all anatomies and genders have the opportunity to be fully and joyfully brought into the covenant. As such, I have devoted considerable time to studying and developing a variety of rituals for baby girls and babies without penises. Additionally, I have trained to perform a hatafat dam brit (drop-of-blood drawing) ceremony for already-circumcised converts to Judaism, as well as a variety of ritual and pastoral processes for trans and non-binary folks. Our covenant is a welcoming one, and I’m excited to bring people into it.

Click here for more about Rabbi Atkins’ and Dr. Appel’s Brit Milah Training Program.