#1 Mohel in Pennsylvania -
Serving Families across the Keystone State
Find out why families - and professionals -
trust Rabbi Shlomo Golish, Certified Mohel
My Bris Milah & Mohel Services in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is home to a wide range of Jewish communities, from historic towns to newer, growing neighborhoods. As a certified mohel with over 15 years of experience, I am honored to perform bris milah (circumcision) ceremonies for families across the state — ensuring each is conducted with halachic integrity, medical skill, and personal warmth.
My work brings me to Jewish hubs within a few hours of New Jersey, including the Lehigh Valley (Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton), Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and popular Poconos vacation communities where many families gather year-round and during the summer. I also serve Jewish residents in Harrisburg, Lancaster, and smaller towns with active synagogues and day schools.
Every family’s needs are different — some prefer a small home bris, others choose a synagogue or community hall. From the moment you contact me, I walk you through scheduling, preparation, and the ceremony itself, ensuring you feel confident at each stage. Before the bris, I conduct a pre-bris evaluation to confirm your baby’s readiness, review any family minhagim you’d like to include, and answer all your questions.
On the day, I bring all necessary instruments and supplies, creating a calm and respectful atmosphere so you can focus on your son and the mitzvah. My technique is designed for minimal discomfort and smooth healing, supported by detailed aftercare instructions and follow-up.
The bris is also when your son receives his Hebrew name — the name he will carry through Jewish life and be called to the Torah with. Many families name to honor a loved one; others choose based on meaning or heritage. If you’d like ideas, my Hebrew Boy Names list offers hundreds of traditional and modern options with their variations and English spelling.
I am proud to serve Jewish families in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, the Poconos, Harrisburg, and Lancaster, as well as surrounding communities.
See examples of my work (ceremonies) in the Gallery, find answers to common questions in the FAQ, and learn more about my services on the Homepage.
If you are in Pennsylvania and want a mohel who combines precision, tradition, and personal attention, I would be privileged to be part of your family’s simcha.
The Parents, baby and Mohel sharing a photo after a Pennsylvania Bris.
Pennsylvania Bris Timing Chart (2025-2026):
This chart is meant as an approximate guide to determine the timing of a Bris. For more info about a Shabbos Bris, see this article.
These times actually show Friday Shkiah (sunset) for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, so bear that in mind if you do not actually live in Philly, and check exact times, as they vary. If your baby is born close to these times, please contact me or your Rabbi to confirm the correct halachic day of birth.
Non-Friday births:
Before Shkiah (sunset) → that day counts as Day 1. The Bris will be the following week, the same day.
After Shkiah (sunset) → the next day becomes Day 1. The Bris will be the following week, the next day.
Friday births:
Before Shkiah (sunset) → Bris is the next Friday.
After Shkiah (sunset) → If the birth was after Tzeis (3 Stars), which depends on local custom, the Bris will be the following Shabbos.
If the birth happened in between Shkiah (sunset) and Tzeis (3 stars), the birth is considered a safek (questionable) whether the birth was on Friday or Shabbos. Hence the Bris cannot be on Friday, because it may be day 7 (if the birth was Shabbos), and it also cannot be on Shabbos, because a Bris can only be on Shabbos if it is day 8, and Shabbos may be day 9 (if the birth was Friday).
The listed times are for Friday Shkiah (sunset) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but eastern Pennsylvania should be close. Call for exact times:
October 17, 2025 – Bereshis – 6:17 PM
October 24, 2025 – Noach – 6:07 PM
October 31, 2025 – Lech Lecha – 5:59 PM
November 7, 2025 – Vayeira – 4:51 PM
November 14, 2025 – Chayei Sarah – 4:44 PM
November 21, 2025 – Toldos – 4:40 PM
November 28, 2025 – Vayeitzei – 4:36 PM
December 5, 2025 – Vayishlach – 4:35 PM
December 12, 2025 – Vayeishev – 4:35 PM
December 19, 2025 – Miketz – 4:37 PM
December 26, 2025 – Vayigash – 4:41 PM
January 2, 2026 – Vayechi – 4:47 PM
January 9, 2026 – Shemos – 4:53 PM
January 16, 2026 – Va’eira – 5:01 PM
January 23, 2026 – Bo – 5:09 PM
January 30, 2026 – Beshalach – 5:17 PM
February 6, 2026 – Yisro – 5:26 PM
February 13, 2026 – Mishpatim – 5:34 PM
February 20, 2026 – Terumah – 5:42 PM
February 27, 2026 – Tetzaveh – 5:50 PM
March 6, 2026 – Ki Sisa – 5:58 PM
March 13, 2026 – Vayakhel-Pekudei – 7:05 PM
March 20, 2026 – Vayikra – 7:12 PM
March 28, 2026 – Tzav – 7:19 PM
April 1, 2026 – Erev Pesach – 7:24 PM
April 3, 2026 – Erev Shabbos Chol Hamoed – 7:27 PM
April 7, 2026 – Erev 7th of Pesach – 7:31 PM
April 10, 2026 – Shemini – 7:34 PM
April 17, 2026 – Tazria–Metzora – 7:41 PM
April 24, 2026 – Acharei–Kedoshim – 7:48 PM
May 1, 2026 – Emor – 7:55 PM
May 8, 2026 – Behar - Bechukosai – 8:02 PM
May 15, 2026 – Bamidbar – 8:09 PM
May 22, 2026 – Erev Shavuos – 8:14 PM
May 29, 2026 – Naso – 8:21 PM
June 5, 2026 – Beha’aloscha – 8:26 PM
June 12, 2026 – Sh’lach – 8:29 PM
June 19, 2026 – Korach – 8:32 PM
June 26, 2026 – Chukas-Balak – 8:33 PM
July 3, 2026 – Pinchas – 8:32 PM
July 10, 2026 – Matos–Masei – 8:30 PM
July 17, 2026 – Devarim – 8:27 PM
July 24, 2026 – Va’eschanan – 8:21 PM
July 31, 2026 – Eikev – 8:15 PM
August 7, 2026 – Re’eh – 8:07 PM
August 14, 2026 – Shoftim – 7:58 PM
August 21, 2026 – Ki Seitzei – 7:48 PM
August 28, 2026 – Ki Savo – 7:38 PM
September 4, 2026 – Nitzavim – Vayeilech – 7:27 PM
September 11, 2026 – Ha’azinu – 7:15 PM
Mazal Tov!
Ideas where to host your Pennsylvania Bris (At home is also fine):
In Philadelphia you can find the B'nai Abraham Chabad or other Chabads,
Congregation Shivtei Yeshuron Ezras Israel or various Young Israels.
In Bucks County, PA, in Bensalem, PA, Bensalem Jewish Outreach Center is a good choice, in Newtown, PA you can look up Lubavitch of Bucks County, or in Doylestown, PA you can reach out to Chabad Lubavitch Doylestown.
In Montgomery County, PA, in the Lower Merion area, the Lower Merion Synagogue
is an idea, Young Israel of Elkins Park is another or Young Israel of the Main Line.
In Delaware County, PA, you can look up Chabad of Delaware Resource.
In Chester County, PA, you can reach out to Chabad of Chester County.
If you are located in Lehigh County, PA, in Allentown, PA, you can try Congregation Sons of Israel.
In Northampton County, PA, in Bethlehem, PA, you can try Chabad at Lehigh University.
And always, if you need help or other ideas, always feel free to reach out!
A Mohel sharing a photo with the parents and baby by a Bris in Pennsylvania.
A Mohel setting up a the Bris table in a Synagogue in Pennsylvania.
