Qualified, Compassionate Teachers Guide You on Your Path to Becoming a Mohel/Mohelet
As you pursue the necessary religious and rigorous surgical training needed to become a certified mohel/mohelet, you will be guided by two highly qualified instructors who share a passion for preserving and performing the mitzvah of brit milah.
Rabbi Gary Atkins
Life Changing.
Passionate.
Caring.
Thorough.
Knowledgeable.
Rabbi Gary Atkins studied at The Jewish Theological Seminary of America and was ordained in May of 1974. After serving as a chaplain in the US Air Force, he had pulpits in New York, New Jersey, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Rabbi Atkins was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree by the Jewish Theological Seminary in March of 2001. He retired from the pulpit in 2016 and lives with his wife in Newmarket, New Hampshire, close to the seacoast and family.
Rabbi Atkins is a trained and board-certified mohel who carried out the mitzvah of Brit Milah for over 30 years. He studied in 1981 under Rabbi Morris Shoulson, z”l, of Philadelphia, one of the most prominent mohelim in America in his generation. He was certified by the Brit Milah Commission of the Philadelphia Board of Rabbis, and he also has a certificate of study from the Brit Kodesh program of the Rabbinical Assembly, where he has helped teach in all sessions since the inception of the program.
His love of milah and his pleasure and experience in teaching the mitzvah of Brit Milah bring him together with Dr. Avidon Appel to provide the Brit Milah program. The “Brit Milah Training” program described in this website is a complete training program for mohelim/ot for the Jewish community.
Rabbi Atkins looks forward to hearing from you and answering any questions you might have.
Dr. Avidon Appel
Experienced.
Personable.
Patient.
Reliable.
Dr. Avidon Appel is a practicing physician for the past 12 years in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania a suburb of Philadelphia. He is a primary care physician that manages both acute and chronic diseases. He is also trained in facial injectables and contouring products such as Botox, Juvederm, Restylane, Kybella, etc. He sees the entire gamut of patients and concerns from sickness to health as well as wellness.
Dr. Appel’s life has always adhered to Jewish traditions, Halacha, Kashrut, and of course celebrations. The covenant of L’Dor V’dor is very important and sacred. Dr. Appel wants the new generations to have our knowledge that we have gained so that they can continue these traditions and pass them onto the next generation. As a physician he has a sincere desire to give back to his community and also to educate others. He does this as a physician but also as a person of Jewish faith and as a Mohel. After all, the word “Doctor” comes from a Latin phrase meaning “to teach”.
Becoming a Mohel is no easy task. It is a huge commitment, provided you can find someone to teach you and study with you. Dr. Appel spent 5-years and a 40,000 plus mile journey that was both religious and spiritual. Prior to this time doors were closed time and time again with regards to becoming a Mohel. Studying with Rabbi Atkins officially marked the start of his journey. He studied with others to both hone and perfect his surgical skills in order to become proficient in Brit Milah. After his training he knew that he wanted not only to teach but to also make becoming a Mohel easier and available for those who are interested.
Dr. Appel’s Paternal Great Grandfather was studying to become a Rabbi. Due to the Pogroms in Russia his study was interrupted and his family had to flee, eventually settling in Palestine. Studying to become a Mohel allowed Dr. Appel to rekindle the flame of his ancestors and pick up where they left off. Dr. Appel is the only Mohel locally that is trained and certified by both Conservative and Reform traditions.
Dr. Appel is excited and available to speak with you regarding your needs, concerns and questions.
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I recently completed a brit milah training course with Rabbi Gary and am so happy that I did. Being a urologist and father to two sons who went through the ceremony it was important for me to understand the ritualistic side of circumcision.
Rabbi Gary provided me with a comprehensive historical and religious perspective on a procedure we often just take for granted.
This was one of the most fulfilling academic and religious courses I have ever been a part of and would recommend it to any physician with an interest in this ancient tradition.
To begin your personalized mohel/mohelet training, please reach out to Rabbi Gary to discuss your schedule and specific needs.