Frequently Asked Questions

"Cost should not be a factor in choosing a mohel. Let no amount stand between a family and a bris." — the words of Rabbi Glantz's teacher, Dr. Jacob Shragowitz, which Rabbi Glantz holds as his own.

From the very start of his practice in New York in the winter of 1991, Rabbi Glantz has never set actual fees. When a family doesn't already have a sense of the going rate for a mohel, he is glad to give some guidance and discuss it in greater detail. Families typically take into consideration the time spent with them and any travel costs involved.

Whatever is given is usually offered on the day of the bris — though Rabbi Glantz does not wait with his hand out. Something can always be mailed afterward or given during a follow-up visit. Cash, Zelle, Venmo, and personal checks are accepted. If one needs to use a credit card, that can be worked out through PayPal.

When an overnight stay or unusually long travel is required, Rabbi Glantz may suggest an appropriate amount. And when parking is challenging, please reserve a space for him if you can — he'll be bringing a few things in and out, and being parked close makes that much easier.

Absolutely! Rabbi Glantz is happy to discuss everything by phone, text, Skype, and email. If after spending time discussing the possibility of a bris, you call with news of a baby girl, he will be thrilled for you. In some cases, families have asked him to arrange and lead a Simchat Bat (also known as a Zeved Bat, or simply a baby girl's naming ceremony) — see Had a Girl? for what those ceremonies look like. They can be in your home or elsewhere, and they can be very creative and beautiful.

Feel free to reach out if something changes like the due date or a scheduled induction but you can generally wait until baby has officially arrived. Maximize your time on the phone with close family and friends and feel free to send Howard a text or email with the time of the birth.

The honest answer is — it depends on the schedule. Best to call and discuss. Rabbi Glantz has felt privileged to arrive by foot, car, taxi, bus, train, and even by plane to accommodate the needs of families. For more on service area and how far he's traveled, see Travel Limits.

In Jewish law, a day begins at sunset. A bris is improper if performed after sunset or before the morning star. Generally, when a baby boy is born during daylight hours, the 8th day is the same day of the following week. Still, there are exceptions and special cases, so it is always best to call the mohel before telling friends and family the day of the bris.

Yes. In the case of one parent being Jewish, Rabbi Glantz will ask some questions for clarification, but he absolutely takes good care of interfaith families — see Interfaith? Not Jewish? for what that looks like, and read the testimonials from interfaith families about how Rabbi Glantz made their non-Jewish family and friends feel extremely comfortable. If neither parent is Jewish and you simply want your son circumcised by Rabbi Glantz, visit CircumcisionPro.com — it focuses on the procedure alone, with no Jewish ritual.

There is no reason from a Jewish perspective for them to be excluded. Rabbi Glantz often suggests age-appropriate ways to involve siblings — such as decorating the chair for Elijah, holding the tzedakah box, or decorating the pillow case used as the Throne of Elijah. See Ideas for Older Siblings for two specific ideas families have loved.

As Jews, we are commanded in the Torah itself to perform this ancient rite. Arguments having to do with sensual sensitivity and/or violating the baby's own freedom of choice are incongruous with our Jewish tradition and the Jewish view of parenting. Each Jew is a link in an unbreakable chain from Abraham our patriarch and Sarah our matriarch. For Rabbi Glantz's curated take on the medical research, see Medical Studies and Circumcision — or just call to discuss any concerns directly.

Rabbi Glantz uses the latest pain-management techniques to minimize discomfort — numbing cream beforehand, sweet wine during, and careful timing of feedings around the ceremony. The procedure is brief and babies recover quickly. See Pain Management at the Bris for the full protocol. Rabbi Glantz has performed thousands of procedures safely over 30+ years, and many OB/Gyn and pediatric physicians have witnessed his technique and chosen him for their own grandchildren.

If there is any medical concern, the bris will be delayed until the baby is fully healthy. Rabbi Glantz works closely with your pediatrician to ensure the timing is safe. A delayed bris does not fall on Shabbat or holidays.

Yes — in fact, two of them. Rabbi Glantz brings a custom-made bris certificate with your son's Hebrew and English names, plus a second one that always brings a chuckle. See The Two Certificates Rabbi Glantz Brings to Every Bris for both.

They refer to the same person — the trained practitioner who performs a brit milah. Mohel (מוֹהֵל, pronounced moh-HEL) is the standard modern transliteration directly from the Hebrew. Moyel is the older Yiddish-influenced pronunciation that is still common in the U.S. For the full story on spelling and pronunciation — plus a running list of every TV episode that's featured a bris — see How Do You Spell B-R-I-S? (And M-O-Y-E-L?).