Being a traveling mohel has its perks and downsides. Every time I travel, the opportunity to see a new community and to be introduced to a slightly different Jewish culture presents itself. I love seeing how people react to my unique methods of sterility, cleanliness and the efficient manner in which I preside over a bris ceremony and circumcision.
The downside is that I don't stick around that long. Traveling does take its toll on the body, but the appreciation for my efforts in coming is always worth the trip. And, in some cases, I do revisit after an absence of several months of even years.
Someone called me today from Puerto Rico, expecting a baby in next couple of months. I remember my last visit there fondly, and look forward to the arrival of this baby and a-now-anticipated trip.
Why did I say percentages going up? Because of the brisses I've done in the last couple of months, between 30-40% of them were traveling cases beyond my local area.
I look forward to coming to your area soon, and giving you the travelingmohel experience!
Tuesday
Number One Concern About Traveling Mohel Laid to Rest
Many parents are concerned that with a traveling mohel, you don't have the flexibility of having the mohel come back a few days later to see that everything is OK. I understand the concern.
Here is why it shouldn't be.
I have become a much better mohel since I began to travel. While I used to leave the baby's bandage on for 24+ hours, I now either take it off or have it fall off within 4-5 hours of the bris.
It is the bandaging at the bris itself which is the critical moment, to the point that my taking the bandage off a few hours later is either a mere formality to speed up the healing process (because the baby doesn't need the bandage anymore or it might have fallen off on its own), or it is because I want to see how things look.
The way I leave the baby at the end of my time with him at the bris is the way he will be. A few days down the road, I can assure you over the telephone, or you can send me a photo via email and I'll tell you what you are seeing.
Any concerns at that point (three days later) are concerns you'd prefer to address with a physician anyway. But in my experience, these haven't come up in a very very long time.
It's always worth the call in the first place. If it doesn't work for you (or for me), we'll figure that out quickly, no harm done.
But if the services I provide (which are unique) are the kind you want, which you will not get from a different mohel, wouldn't you want to at least explore the option?
See the mistakes parents make and what makes me a different mohel
Here is why it shouldn't be.
I have become a much better mohel since I began to travel. While I used to leave the baby's bandage on for 24+ hours, I now either take it off or have it fall off within 4-5 hours of the bris.
It is the bandaging at the bris itself which is the critical moment, to the point that my taking the bandage off a few hours later is either a mere formality to speed up the healing process (because the baby doesn't need the bandage anymore or it might have fallen off on its own), or it is because I want to see how things look.
The way I leave the baby at the end of my time with him at the bris is the way he will be. A few days down the road, I can assure you over the telephone, or you can send me a photo via email and I'll tell you what you are seeing.
Any concerns at that point (three days later) are concerns you'd prefer to address with a physician anyway. But in my experience, these haven't come up in a very very long time.
It's always worth the call in the first place. If it doesn't work for you (or for me), we'll figure that out quickly, no harm done.
But if the services I provide (which are unique) are the kind you want, which you will not get from a different mohel, wouldn't you want to at least explore the option?
See the mistakes parents make and what makes me a different mohel
Sunday
It's All About Being There
When my friend called me to do his new son's bris in NY last shabbos, I jumped at the opportunity. It's always an honor, but even moreso when I have a relationship with the baby's parents.
Flights were booked, and once fears of Hurricane Irene grounding me were put to rest, I was on my way on Friday. No delays - a perfect trip.
The bris took place on Shabbos morning, on time, as it should be. Over shabbos, the grandfather of a newborn, whose bris was supposed to take place the following morning, approached me. He told me they had hired a mohel to come the following morning, but as Hurricane Irene was scheduled to come that night, and no one knew what damage it might bring, they would like me to be on call in the event that the other mohel could not make it.
That evening I received confirmation that the other mohel was not going to be available, so I served as the pinch-hitting mohel.
The following morning, though the storm was over, the damage in the local neighborhood was thankfully minimal (some lost power, some had flooded basements). The bris took place in a house where power had not been lost, and though the lights flickered once or twice, they stayed on full blast during the bris itself.
It was an honor to serve as mohel for both families.
Traveling always carries with it a story - and this one is for the books.
Flights were booked, and once fears of Hurricane Irene grounding me were put to rest, I was on my way on Friday. No delays - a perfect trip.
The bris took place on Shabbos morning, on time, as it should be. Over shabbos, the grandfather of a newborn, whose bris was supposed to take place the following morning, approached me. He told me they had hired a mohel to come the following morning, but as Hurricane Irene was scheduled to come that night, and no one knew what damage it might bring, they would like me to be on call in the event that the other mohel could not make it.
That evening I received confirmation that the other mohel was not going to be available, so I served as the pinch-hitting mohel.
The following morning, though the storm was over, the damage in the local neighborhood was thankfully minimal (some lost power, some had flooded basements). The bris took place in a house where power had not been lost, and though the lights flickered once or twice, they stayed on full blast during the bris itself.
It was an honor to serve as mohel for both families.
Traveling always carries with it a story - and this one is for the books.
Monday
Still not convinced?
When I travel for a bris, my care for your son begins shortly before the bris, and ends (typically) a couple of hours after the bris. After the last time I see him, his bandage has been removed, he is healing nicely, and his body is doing its job to move everything right along, unimpeded by a no-longer-necessary dressing.
I find I typically change the baby's first diaper (before his parents do) because the process I utilize works so efficiently - I am back to check by the time his nap ends and he is ready for a changing..
I always see the baby after the bris. I usually leave him without a bandage, and you with complete instructions how to care for him. Sometimes I have to leave a bandage on the baby for precautionary reasons, but the bandage will come off on its own without you having to deal with it.
It's that simple! 100% attention. Total care. Complete instructions. And my time dedicated only to you.
What other mohel can guarantee you that?
I find I typically change the baby's first diaper (before his parents do) because the process I utilize works so efficiently - I am back to check by the time his nap ends and he is ready for a changing..
I always see the baby after the bris. I usually leave him without a bandage, and you with complete instructions how to care for him. Sometimes I have to leave a bandage on the baby for precautionary reasons, but the bandage will come off on its own without you having to deal with it.
It's that simple! 100% attention. Total care. Complete instructions. And my time dedicated only to you.
What other mohel can guarantee you that?
Tuesday
Busy Busy Busy
This week I will be in New York again for the fourth time in a month. I am honored that despite the inordinate number of mohels in New York, there are people who would prefer to bring the travelingmohel to their son's bris.
In the end, it's not such a big deal for the parents - and, frankly, the traveling has made me into a better mohel
Looking forward to hearing from you too!
In the end, it's not such a big deal for the parents - and, frankly, the traveling has made me into a better mohel
Looking forward to hearing from you too!
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