Every family calling about a bris in Jupiter tends to ask a similar handful of questions, whether this is their first child or their third. Rather than guess at what parents want to know, we sat down with Dr. Andrew Krinsky, a Yale-trained, board-certified gynecologic surgeon and religiously ordained certified mohel, and asked him directly.

How did you become a mohel after already having a medical career?

“The two paths developed side by side for me rather than one replacing the other.” I spent 30 years as a practicing OB-GYN surgeon, and I became a certified mohel more than 20 years ago. Religious ordination gave me the training in the ceremony itself, but the surgical technique comes from decades in an operating room. Jupiter families are often surprised that combination exists, but it’s really just two forms of training that happened to overlap in one person.

What makes a bris in Jupiter different from one in a bigger city?

“Honestly, not much changes about the ceremony itself, but the setting does.” Jupiter has a smaller, tighter-knit Jewish community compared to some of the larger South Florida cities, so ceremonies here often feel more intimate, sometimes just close family rather than a large gathering. I adjust to whatever size and setting a family wants, whether that’s a quiet home ceremony or a larger celebration.

What do you actually do to keep the baby comfortable?

“I layer several things together rather than relying on just one.”

That includes:

  • Infant Tylenol about an hour before, with pediatrician approval

  • A topical numbing gel applied on arrival, given time to take effect

  • A sugar and wine solution that calms the baby and releases endorphins

  • A seated position with the baby’s arms free, so parents can hold his hands

  • A second dose of anesthetic gel after the procedure

Why does the ceremony have to happen on the 8th day specifically?

“There’s a real medical reason behind it, not just tradition.” By a baby’s 8th day, clotting factors and immunoglobulins have matured past their levels at birth, which supports safer healing. Doing it at home on day 8, instead of in the hospital before discharge, also means the baby isn’t dealing with a second procedure stacked right on top of birth.

What if our family is interfaith or not very religious?

“That describes a lot of the families I work with, including here in Jupiter.” I make a point of explaining each part of the ceremony as it happens so guests who’ve never been to one before can follow along. Nobody should feel like an outsider at their own family’s bris.

Do we need our own rabbi, or can you lead the whole thing?

“I’m trained to lead the complete Bris and Baby Naming Ceremony on my own.” If a family already has a rabbi or cantor they work with, I coordinate directly with them. If not, I handle the entire ceremony myself, so nobody in Jupiter needs to line up separate clergy first.

What should parents do to prepare before the day arrives?

“Mostly just confirm the date and pick who gets the honors.” Once the baby is born, I confirm the exact 8th day with the family. From there, most of the preparation is deciding on a location, choosing who will serve as kvater and Sandek, and finalizing the baby’s Hebrew name if that hasn’t happened yet.

Planning Your Son’s Bris in Jupiter

If you’re researching a mohel and circumcision near me search from Jupiter, it may help to read more about Dr. Krinsky’s approach as a modern mohel before your first call.

Schedule Your Jupiter Bris

Dr. Krinsky serves Jupiter and the surrounding Palm Beach County area, traveling to your home or preferred location for the ceremony. To ask a question of your own or check availability, call (954) 980-6337 or email akrinsky1201@gmail.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a mohel the same as a rabbi?

No. A rabbi leads general Jewish religious life, while a mohel is specifically trained and certified to perform the bris ceremony and circumcision. Dr. Krinsky holds both religious ordination and medical board certification.

How much notice do you need to book a bris in Jupiter?

As soon as possible after birth is ideal, since the ceremony happens on a fixed 8th day. Calling once you have a due date, rather than waiting until after delivery, gives more flexibility in coordinating the date.

Does the baby feel significant pain?

Dr. Krinsky’s layered comfort approach, including anesthetic gel, infant Tylenol, and a calming sugar solution, is specifically designed to minimize discomfort during the procedure.

Can the ceremony be small, with just immediate family?

Yes. Dr. Krinsky adjusts to whatever size gathering a family wants, from an intimate ceremony with a few relatives to a larger celebration.

What happens if we haven’t picked a Hebrew name yet?

That’s common. Dr. Krinsky can help guide that conversation if your family wants input on tradition or meaning before the naming portion of the ceremony.