Lifecycles

Birth, Adoption & Circumcision

Adoption & Infertility

San Francisco

Jewish Family and Children's Services of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties: Adoption Connection
Licensed non-profit adoption agency specializing in open, infant adoption, international adoption, and domestic partner adoption. Services include: homestudy, outreach, post-placement, finalization, education and workshops. Serves 19 counties in Northern California.
Bay Area Region, 2150 Post St., San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 359-2494
Hotline for birth mothers: (800) 972-9225
Fax: (415) 359-2490
E-mail: families@adoptionconnection.org

Brit Bat/ Simchat Bat

The birth of a baby girl is traditionally marked in the synagogue when her father or parents are called to the Torah on the Sabbath to give the newborn her Hebrew name. The past decade has seen the development of various naming ceremonies for girls. In fact, there is a growing liturgy around the brit bat, and various alternative rituals have been proposed. This ritual is frequently performed on the eighth day of a baby girl's life.

Brit Milah (Circumcision)

The ritual of brit milah is performed to symbolize the covenant between God and the people of Israel. The brit takes place on the eighth day of a male baby's life (provided there are no health problems). Traditionally, the brit is performed by a mohel, a ritual circumciser familiar with the relevant laws and customs.

Julie Kohl, M.D./Pediatrician/Certified Mohel
Performs brit milah, spiritually open approach to all denominations and all types of families; pain control under medical supervision; pediatrician and certified mohel.
(650) 269-1296
E-mail: info@drjuliekohl.com

Traditional

Debra Weiss-Ishai, MD
Certified mohel and board-certified pediatrician performing personalized, spiritual and enriching ritual circumcisions/brit milah ceremonies for all affiliations. Also performs naming ceremonies for girls.
(510) 589-8556
E-mail: mohel@TheBrisDoctor.com

Alternative

Central Coast

Alternative Bris Support Group
Provides support and information on alternative brit ceremonies and medical, religious and cultural information for parents considering covenant/naming ceremonies without circumcision.
Mail to: P.O. Box 1305, Capitola, CA 95010
(831) 475-3313
E-mail: alternative_bris@ebold.com

San Francisco

Mark David Reiss, M.D.: Brit Shalom Celebrant List
Brit shalom is a non-cutting naming ceremony for newborn Jewish boys whose parents wish to avoid circumcision. It is similar to the naming ceremony for baby girls.
773 Duncan St., San Francisco, CA 94131
(415) 647-2687
E-mail: mdreissmd@aol.com

Orthodox Mohelim

Rabbi Chanan Feld*
Technical expertise. Spiritual fulfillment. For all Jews.
(510) 524-0722
Cell/Pager: (510) 604-0172
E-mail: feld@pacbell.net

Reform Mohelim

Fred R. Kogen, M.D.*
Full-time mohel and physician, 23 years experience, available throughout California and international destinations. Performs traditional, highly educational and inclusive brit for all affiliations, as well as interfaith and alternative lifestyle families. Topical anesthesia.
(800) 644-4479
E-mail: kogen@eBris.com

Stuart Avram Zangwill, M.D./Pediatrician/Certified Mohel
Performs brit milah for all affiliations. Flexible ceremony to meet parents' needs. Board-certified pediatrician with 17 years experience performing hundreds of circumcisions. Lives in Oakland, serving the Bay Area.
(510) 384-8363
E-mail: zmohel@gmail.com

East Bay

Mark M. Rubenstein, M.D./Pediatrician (retired)
Diversity-sensitive, personalized brit milah ceremonies serving entire Bay Area. Interfaith education. 40+ years experience. Questions welcome; references available. Also officiates at brit bat/simchat bat.
147 Los Altos Ave., Walnut Creek, CA 94598
Home: (925) 932-6650
Cell: (925) 212-9964
Fax: (925) 937-6650

Piser & Piser Mohelim
Practicing Bay Area urologist/plastic and hand surgeon; unique husband/wife mohelim team, trained/certified by Hebrew Union College, performing personalized, spiritually enlightening brit milah ceremonies in the home setting since 1991.
2999 Regent St., #612, Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 654-8004
(510) 848-1727
E-mail: piserfam@comcast.net

San Francisco

Eric Tabas, M.D.
490 Post St., #939, San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 397-2331
Fax: (415) 397-4225

Pidyon Haben

(First-Born Redemption)

A pidyon haben, redemption of a son, takes place 30 days after the birth of a first-born baby boy. The tradition is based on the belief that first-born sons were to serve God in the Temple. To redeem them from that obligation, five shekels were given to the Temple priests, who then served in the Temple instead. The ceremony today usually involves a symbolic charitable donation.

Birth

San Francisco

Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties: Chai Baby!*
Welcomes newborns and their families into our Jewish community by providing gifts and educational materials to assist families in creating a Jewish home and identifying opportunities for involvement in the local Jewish community. Serves families from Sonoma to Sunnyvale.
121 Steuart St., 5th Fl., San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 777-4545
(877) 777-JCIR (5247) local toll free
Fax: (415) 495-4897
E-mail: chaibaby@sfjcf.org

South Bay

Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley: Shalom Baby
Delivers a basket filled with gifts and community information to South Bay Jewish parents of newborns or newly adopted children.
14855 Oka Rd., Los Gatos, CA 95032
(408) 357-7433
Fax: (408) 356-0733
E-mail: sheryl@jvalley.org