The short answer: yes. You don't need to be Jewish to have your son circumcised by a mohel, and you don't need to have a religious ceremony. Many of the families we care for are Christian, interfaith, or not religious at all. They call a mohel for the same reason Jewish families do: they want an experienced newborn circumcision specialist, and they want it done calmly, at home, with the parents close by.
What is a mohel?
A mohel (pronounced MOY-el) is a person trained specifically to perform newborn circumcision under Jewish tradition. Training is usually a long apprenticeship under an experienced mohel, and because circumcision is the one procedure a mohel performs, many have done it thousands of times.
A mohel is not a physician. That matters in a few practical ways: a mohel performs newborn circumcision only, doesn't bill insurance as a medical provider, and refers a baby to a pediatrician or pediatric urologist when something in his history or anatomy calls for a doctor's evaluation. A good mohel will tell you plainly where that line is.
Do we have to have a bris?
No. A bris (brit milah) is the Jewish religious ceremony that surrounds the circumcision — blessings, a Hebrew name, family honors. It's an option, not a requirement. For families who don't want a ceremony, the visit is simply the procedure itself, done with the same care.
Some families land in between. They aren't Jewish but like the idea of marking the moment, or one parent has Jewish roots. If you.d like something meaningful included, talk it over with us at the consultation; if you.d rather keep it entirely non-religious, that.s just as welcome. You decide, and nobody will ask you to explain why.
What a visit looks like for a non-religious family
- A free consultation first. We talk through your baby's health history, timing, and your questions — by phone or video, before anything is booked.
- We come to your home. Everything needed is brought with us, set up on a clean table or counter.
- Parents can stay. You're welcome to be in the room and hold your baby right afterward. Some parents prefer to step out for a minute, and that's fine too.
- Aftercare in writing. You'll get clear instructions and a way to reach your mohel while your baby heals, usually about 7–10 days.
For a fuller walk-through, see how in-home circumcision works.
Why non-Jewish families choose a mohel
The reasons parents give us are practical more than religious:
- Experience with this one procedure. Newborn circumcision is all a mohel does.
- The home setting. No hospital room or waiting room; your baby stays with you.
- Timing that fits. Babies can be seen after they've gone home, typically in the first few weeks of life.
- Their own decisions about newborn care. Some families have made choices — for example, about the Vitamin K shot — that make a hospital or office circumcision harder to arrange. Our Vitamin K page explains our policy and why that decision belongs with you and your pediatrician.
Questions to ask any mohel before you book
- Who exactly will perform the procedure, and how long have they been doing it?
- Where did they train, and are they certified?
- What do they do for the baby's comfort, before and after?
- How do they keep instruments and supplies sterile?
- When would they recommend waiting, or seeing a pediatrician or urologist first?
- How do you reach them during healing, and what's the plan if something doesn't look right?
- What's the total cost, including any travel?
We wrote more about this in How to Choose the Right Mohel, and the doctor vs. mohel page compares the two side by side.
The bottom line
If you're not Jewish and you're wondering whether it's appropriate to call a mohel: it is, and it's common. Ask your questions, take your time, and choose the provider you trust most — whether that's us or someone else.