Actual Bris Performed During Global Gathering of Mohalim

By COLlive reporter

Mohalim of all ages and from around the world joined a Hakhel Kinus for Mohalim held at the Bris House in Crown Heights on Sunday.

The yearly event is run by veteran Mohalim Rabbi Levi Heber, Director of the International Bris Association, and Rabbi Yochanan Klein, Director of Healing Hearts Bikur Cholim of Florida.

The event coincides with the International Kinus Hashluchim, giving Lubavitch Mohalim an opportunity to gather to share information, inspiration, and common values.

Topics covered are Halachic insights, medical conditions and issues, and practical advice. It is addressed by rabbonim and medical professionals. The International Bris Association is a vital support system for Mohalim around the world, whether for medical or other questions or even as a referral service to help Jews around the world locate a professional Mohel wherever they may live.

The Kinus began with opening remarks by Rabbi Moshe Klein, veteran Mohel in Crown Heights, who said a Dvar Torah on the topic of Shnas Hakhel.

Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, Av Beis Din of Sydney known worldwide as an expert in the field of Yuchsin, spoke at the event. Rabbi Ulman has recently launched jewishstatus.org to assist Shluchim and individuals worldwide requiring certification of their Jewish status.

Also in attendance were Rabbinical authorities Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin of London, England and Rabbi Shalom Ber Shuchat, Rosh Kollel of Kollel L’horaah Maasis in Crown Heights.

Dr. Jeffrey Stock, Professor of Pediatric Urology at the Mount Sinai Hospital School of Medicine and Chief pediatric Urologist at Mount Sinai Children’s Hospital, who is also an associate editor of the Journal of Urology with over 50 published peer-reviewed articles on the subject, was in attendance.

He received the Rofeh Yedid award, in recognition of his commitment to the highest standard of Bris Milah. He was presented with a plaque by Rabbi Heber and Rabbi Klein, containing a dollar of the Rebbe “to bring blessing to his dedicated work.”

Other medical professionals that received the Rofeh Yedid award were Dr. Avraham Polinger, a renowned Pediatrician, and Dr. Avi Rosenberg, physician-scientist and practicing pathologist at John Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Rabbi Yossi Shuchat, Mohel from Las Vegas, spoke as well, giving insight into the world of Sefardi Brissim.

A special tribute was given to Rabbi Eliyahu Shain, the preeminent Mohel of Chabad for over 60 years, who was honored for 6 decades of performing Brissim with unmatched professionalism and expertise. “Rabbi Shain is an expert Mohel who has set a standard of high professionalism that Lubavitch Mohalim aspire to, and he has been a great example to all,” Rabbi Heber said.

The highlight of the event was a very special Bris Milah of a 20-year-old man, a Russian immigrant who had not received a Bris at birth due to his father’s objections. The Bris, which was held upstairs in the Bris House, was coordinated by Paris Shliach Emanuel Taubenblatt, who after years of encouragement had gotten the young man to agree to have a Bris.

The young man was named Yosef Yitzchok, and the emotional event concluded with a Seudas Mitzvah and celebration of the momentous occasion.

Throughout the event, Mohalim shared their experiences and questions, and were guided by rabbonim and professionals. An exciting update shared is a new Tefillin fund was established and announced by Rabbi Yochanan Klein, making Tefillin available to Mohalim that commit to bringing them to Bris ceremonies and having the participants put on Tefillin prior to the Bris.

VIDEO: Rabbi Eliyahu Shain receives award