BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Name: Rabbi Yisroel Perelson
Business Name: Mybabybris.com
Position: Mohel, Rav of Flatbush Park Jewish Center
Years in Business: 5
Location: Tri-state area

1) How many years have you been performing brissim?

Many. Flatbush Park Jewish Center has allowed me this unique opportunity to be associated with all types of Jews. Many who are not affiliated with other Orthodox shuls are keenly aware of our shul – in particular, the Russian community. Many Carpathian families bring their children to our shul, where I am honored to receive the mitzvah of doing the bris. I have been privileged to meet people from all over the tri-state area. There are weeks that I am running from bris to bris and there are quieter weeks. It’s a mitzvah associated with much happiness; however, it bears tremendous responsibility.

2)How did you get into this line of work?

When the mohel in our community, Rabbi Ahvrahm Levy, moved to Eretz Yisrael, we had to rely on a mohel from outside our area. Because of the scarcity of experienced mohels, and the fact that our area requires somewhat of a journey from other areas on Shabbos, I decided to learn about bris milah. On Shabbos it is of paramount importance to have a local mohel , which alleviates not only stress, but also creates a comfort and endearment for my community and the shuls in the area.

3) What training is needed to become a mohel?

First, one needs to be rigorously educated in the halachos of bris milah. Then one needs to take a course on the anatomy. My own personal tutelage was under the very meticulous eyes of Rabbi Rami Cohen and Rabbi Mordechai Azran from Eretz Yisrael and it was only at that juncture of the spiritual as well as the medical I was able to practice brissim with confidence. Following the instructional process, I then traveled to England where I performed many brissim before going on my own in America. You always want to hone your skills eminently in this line of work. I strive to be the best in this field generating the least amount of pain to the newborn and doing the finest job. It is a constant learning process to aspire to the nearest degree of perfection.

4)How do you get clients?

As the Rav of Flatbush Park, a big shul with 400 members, many of my cases come from the mispalilim or their friends. This is helpful, since it is hard to break into this line of work, which often is all about word of mouth. Many parents also feel secure because I come recommended by physicians. Over the years, many of the babies I have circumcised are children of physicians. I also receive referrals from an OBGYN, Dr. Mark Vaynkhadler, who refers all of his Jewish patients to me (he also performs circumcisions, also but mostly on his non- Jewish patients). Some members of Hatzalah also recommend and use me for their children.

5) How do you calm the nerves of first-time parents who might be anxious about the procedure?

The first step is to educate them. I have a detailed website, mybabybris.com, which introduces me and allows parents to learn more about the process and what supplies they are going to need before and after the bris. There are also instructions on prepping and taking care of the baby following the bris. Some parents are very involved and want to know everything. Other parents want no part in it they; just want to be notified when it’s all over. A mohel needs to be accessible to parents. When someone calls my phone, I make sure to answer right away, or I will get back to them as expediently as I can. I am always reachable. I also make sure to do a follow up checkup after the bris the next day. People know that my technique is precise. I have it perfected where I am done in 10 seconds. The babies I work on are back to normal the very next day with no discomfort. The recovery is remarkably quick.

6) What is the best way to prepare the newborn for a bris?

There is not much you can do beforehand. I always recommend parents to give their baby a bath around the bris area the day before the bris just with the proviso the belly button remains dry. The main goal is to keep the baby clean. 12 hours before the procedure, no ointment is to be applied to the bris area. I also check the baby to make sure he is not jaundiced and that he has a healthy weight. I need to make sure that there will be no issues of blood clotting.

10) Do you want your sons to follow in your footsteps and also become mohalim?

My oldest son, Moishe, is 17-years-old and is showing signs of interest. Sometimes he will accompany me to a bris, and so far he is learning by observing.