Please let me know if any health problems arise between now and the Bris. This includes jaundice, which your baby's doctor may not be concerned about.
Please Purchase
- Twenty 3" x 3" gauze squares
- A tube of Vaseline
- Kosher sweet wine (such as Manischewitz concord grape. The sugar calms the baby)
- A pacifier (optional)
Have on hand for the Bris
- A regular size bed pillow (if the bris is at the synagogue that has a Chair of Elijah, you don't need a pillow)
- A nice wine glass or Kiddush cup
- A table and two chairs where we will be conducting the ceremony
- A private space where I can prepare before the ceremony (with a table or changing table)
- Good lighting both where I will be prepping and where we are doing the ceremony
For the ceremony please assign
- Sandek
- This is the person who symbolically holds the baby during the Bris
- This should not be a parent
- Kvatter and Kvatterin
- Two people to carry the baby into the room. Traditionally a married couple but it doesn't need to be.
- These should not be the parents
- Four people to do English readings (if we are using my ceremony)
- There are also special readings for the grandparents and the parents
- Kvatter, Kvatterin, Sandek and at least one of the readers should be assigned to Jews. It is ideal to have a Minyan (10 Jews) present, but not required.
Other Instructions
- Please feed the baby 30-60 minutes before the ceremony
- If you don't have a Rabbi or Cantor I am happy to conduct the ceremony myself. If you don't belong to a synagogue but are considering one, a Bris is a nice opportunity to develop a relationship with a Rabbi or Cantor, which can flourish for many years to come.