To Prepare For A Bris

  1. PRINT AND FILL THE INFORMATION FORM and this preparation list, and have them ready for the day of the bris. (Click Here To Download, 2 Pages)
  2. Please try, if possible, to arrange feedings so that baby will have finished his last meal two hours before the bris.
  3. The baby should not have any visitors before the bris. The guests will have a chance to see him at the ceremony.
  4. Baby should be dressed in a nightgown type outfit for the bris. A kippa-yarmulka is not needed for the baby.
  5. The bris is to be performed on a firm table strong enough to support the weight of an adult who will sit on it. A card table, baby dressing table, or round table is NOT adequate. Or: A bar chair or high chair next to a small table of regular height (to hold my instruments) is fine. The table should be placed near a window or any other source of good light.

Items Needed

  • One box of 3 x 3 inch STERILE gauze pads (20-25 pads)
    • Please note: Sterile means individually wrapped pads - the pads that the hospital gives in the large package are not sterile.
  • One 1-oz. tube of bacitracin ointment
  • One unopened bottle Kosher sweet grape wine or Kosher grape juice
  • One regular size bed pillow
  • 3 to 4 disposable diapers
  • 3 cloth diapers or receiving blankets
  • One baby bottle of boiled water at room temperature (to dilute wine). No nipple needed

Honoring Family and Friends at a Bris

Honors are optional. A minyan (10 men) is not needed by Jewish law.

KVATER - A couple to bring the baby forward.

CHAIR OF ELIJAH - One person to put the baby on a chair during ceremony.

SANDEK - One man to hold the baby during the actual circumcision.

SANDEK SHANE - One person to hold the baby during naming.

MAN - To give baby wine and water during ceremony.

If there are more members of the family to honor, please bring it to my attention and I'll try my best to include everyone.

What Food To Serve At A Bris

There are many factors that influence the menu; your taste, time of day and your budget. So in essence there are really no set traditions.

There is however, one factor that should be considered. A bris is a very Jewish event and having kosher food certainly adds to the spirituality and elevation of the event. There also may be guests that would only partake of kosher food.

A common misconception is that all delicatessens are kosher. This is not the case at all; actually most are NOT kosher.

I would be happy to guide you to kosher establishments in your area that server the type of menu you desire.