Qualifications   Submitting the Application   Application Process   The Course

Qualifications

Medical professionals in the Jewish community who have a desire to serve as a mohel/et are encouraged to apply to the program. Courses are held once annually in a location in the United States or Canada , usually in a location where a need for Reform mohalim/ot exist. Eligibility of all applicants is verified prior to signing up for a course, so we encourage applicatiofns to be submitted as soon as possible upon deciding to apply to the program. Eligible applicants include:

•  A medical doctor, proficient in the performance of newborn circumcision, or

• A certified nurse midwife who regularly performs newborn circumcisions in the course of her practice  

To request an application to the program, contact Rabbi Julie Pelc Adler by phone at (213) 749-3424 ext. 4291, or by email at beritmila@huc.edu or beritmila@gmail.com.  

Submitting the Application

When submitting the completed Application form be sure to include the following required supporting elements:

• A 2 to 3 page essay explaining why you want to become a Reform mohel or mohelet.

• A letter of recommendation for acceptance to the program from your rabbi.  Prior to requesting this letter, you should meet with your rabbi to discuss your application to the program.  Your rabbi should, in effect, be your sponsor – a person who can serve as your guide and mentor throughout your training and service as a mohel/et.

• A photocopy of your medical license.

• A short description of your medical qualifications to perform the procedure newborn circumcision.  Include a description of your training in the procedure and your experience in performing it.

• A letter of recommendation for acceptance to the program – from the head of a hospital department in which circumcisions are performed, such as Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Urology, or Family Practice – attesting to your proficiency in the performance of the procedure, newborn circumcision;

• A letter from your synagogue stating that you are a member in good standing  

The Application Process

Below is the step-by-step process to become a Reform Mohel/et. 

1. Once a complete application has been received by the Berit Mila program, your application will be reviewed by the Berit Mila Board of Reform Judaism to verify eligibility.

2. Once eligibility has been verified and the application has been approved course announcements will be sent for all scheduled courses.

3. It is optional to sign up for a course that is offered, if you wish to sign up for a course contact the Berit Mila Program for registration forms.

4. Once all registrations forms have been received by the Berit Mila Program, you will need to attend the course.

5. After the course is completed, a Final Reflection is sent to each participant.  Each participant is allowed one year from the end date of the course to submit the Final Reflection. 

6. Once the Final Reflection is received by the Berit Mila Board of Reform Judaism the entire file is reviewed with the Final Reflection and a certification decision is submitted.

The Course

The course is four days of intense study.  The course usually runs from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on a Thursday through Saturday, including a communal celebration of Shabbat, and from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on a Sunday.  Prior to the start of the course, a course schedule, material and other course related instruction will be sent.  The material includes Berit Mila in the Reform Context, by Lewis M. Barth, Ph. D. and Ed. Schoen on Circumcision by Edgar Schoen, M.D.