An Unexpected Conversation at a Connecticut Bris
6/8/20263 min read
An Unexpected Conversation at a Connecticut Bris
Every bris is unique.
While the focus is naturally on the newborn baby entering the covenant of Abraham, some of the most meaningful moments happen quietly among family members gathered to celebrate.
Recently, I had the privilege of serving as the mohel at a bris for a family in Connecticut. As a Connecticut mohel, I am privileged to participate in many meaningful family milestones, but this particular conversation stayed with me long after the ceremony ended. As is often the case, relatives traveled from different states to participate in the special occasion. Among them was an uncle who had become largely disconnected from Jewish life over the years.
During the ceremony, the family chose to honor him with one of the kibbudim, the special roles given to family members during a bris milah. At first, it seemed like a simple gesture of respect. But after the ceremony, he shared something unexpected.
He explained that he had not attended many Jewish events in recent years and had gradually drifted away from many aspects of his Jewish identity. Yet standing before his family, participating in a tradition that stretched back thousands of years, gave him a new perspective. He found himself reflecting on his grandparents, his family's history, and the generations of Jews who had preserved these traditions under far more difficult circumstances.
What struck him most was not a speech or a lecture. It was the experience itself. Being included in such an important mitzvah reminded him that he was part of a much larger story.
As a mohel, I have the privilege of witnessing moments like these regularly. While the bris celebrates the arrival of a newborn child, it often brings together grandparents, siblings, cousins, and friends who may not have gathered for a Jewish occasion in many years. The ceremony creates opportunities for reflection, reconnection, and meaningful conversations.
Many people think of a bris primarily as a religious obligation or a family celebration. In reality, it is often much more. It is one of the few occasions that can unite multiple generations around a shared Jewish experience. Family members who practice Judaism in different ways—or who may not be actively involved at all—come together to celebrate the beginning of a new Jewish life.
For parents preparing for a bris, much attention is understandably focused on practical questions. Families often ask about scheduling, preparation, healing, and what to expect during the ceremony. Those details are important, and helping parents feel comfortable and informed is a central part of my role as a certified mohel.
Yet experiences like this serve as a reminder that a bris is about more than logistics. It is a profound moment of continuity, connecting a newborn child to generations of Jewish tradition while often strengthening connections among family members as well.
Every family's story is different. But moments like these highlight the enduring power of the bris milah—not only for the child entering the covenant, but for everyone privileged to be present.
Planning a Bris in Connecticut?
If you are expecting a baby boy and have questions about preparing for a bris milah, Rabbi Zalman Goldblatt, Certified Mohel, provides expert guidance and compassionate care throughout the entire process—from the initial consultation through complete healing.
Parents can also review my guides on preparing for a bris, which answers many of the most common questions families have before the ceremony.
Whether this is your first child or you have celebrated a bris before, every family deserves clear guidance, personal attention, and a calm, reassuring experience.
Contact Rabbi Zalman Goldblatt to discuss your family's upcoming bris and learn more about what to expect before, during, and after the ceremony.
Originally inspired by an article published on Anash.org
Services
Providing Safe and Traditional Bris Milah Services. Recommended by Parents and Medical Professionals.
contact details
© 2025. All rights reserved by Rabbi Zalman Goldblatt
