#1 Mohel in Philadelphia -
Serving Families across the area & Beyond
Find out why families - and professionals -
trust Rabbi Shlomo Golish, Certified Mohel
Rabbi Golish, Certified Mohel providing Bris Milah Services in and around Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia’s Jewish community is one of the most historic and vibrant in the country, with a mix of long-established neighborhoods and thriving suburban hubs. As a certified mohel with over 15 years of experience, I serve Jewish families throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs, providing bris milah (circumcision) ceremonies with halachic precision, medical skill, and a calm, personal touch.
My work in Philadelphia spans many settings — from intimate home brissim to larger ceremonies in synagogues and event halls. I regularly serve families in Bala Cynwyd, Lower Merion, Elkins Park, Merion Station, Wynnewood, Narberth, Penn Valley, and Northeast Philadelphia. Each community has its own traditions, and I am attentive to honoring every family’s minhagim while maintaining the highest standards of safety and care.
From the first conversation, I guide you through scheduling, preparation, and what to expect on the day of the bris. Before the ceremony, I perform a pre-bris evaluation to confirm your baby’s readiness and answer any questions. On the day, I bring all necessary instruments and supplies, creating a respectful and serene environment. My technique is quick, minimizes discomfort, and is paired with clear aftercare instructions for smooth healing.
The bris is also the time when your son receives his Hebrew name — the name he will carry through Jewish life and be called to the Torah with. Whether you are honoring a loved one or choosing for meaning, this is a powerful moment for the family. If you are looking for inspiration, my Hebrew Boy Names list contains hundreds of names with origins and meanings.
I am proud to serve Philadelphia’s Jewish community across the city and suburbs.
To see examples of past ceremonies, visit the Gallery. For answers to common questions about timing, customs, and healing, see the FAQ. For more about my background and services, visit the Homepage.
If you are in Philadelphia or nearby and want a mohel who combines skill, tradition, and personal care, I would be honored to be part of your family’s simcha. Feel free to reach out to me to discuss anything.
Philadelphia, 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 show Friday Shkiah (sunset) for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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:
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!
Common Philadelphia Communities Where Families Host a Bris
Families throughout the Philadelphia area often host brissim in established Jewish neighborhoods and near well-known synagogues and community centers. I regularly serve families in areas including Elkins Park, Bala Cynwyd, the Main Line, Center City Philadelphia, Society Hill, South Philadelphia, and Northeast Philadelphia, as well as surrounding communities in Montgomery County.
This includes neighborhoods near Young Israel of Elkins Park, Young Israel of the Main Line, Lower Merion Synagogue, Mekor Habracha, B’nai Abraham Chabad, Kahal Kadosh Mikveh Israel, South Philadelphia Shtiebel, Bnai Israel Ohev Zedek, and Beit Harambam, along with nearby Philadelphia and suburban communities.
Philadelphia parents sharing a meaningful moment with the mohel after the bris.
A warm moment between mom and baby following the bris in Philadelphia.
Preparing for the bris with a calm, organized setup by a Philadelphia Bris.
