Participants in the Ceremony

Brit Milah offers the opportunity to honor family members and friends with participation in the ceremony. Below is a list of the honors that are assigned at the brit. You should plan in advance whom you would like to honor.

CANDLELIGHTING
Lights the candles to begin the ceremony. This is usually done by the mother.

KVATER (male/s) or KVATERIN (female/s)
Brings the baby into the room where the ceremony will take place. This honor may be assigned to up to four people, more if needed. The baby is either held by one person with others walking along, or he can be passed while resting on the pillow from one person to the next. This is the typical honor for godparents.

CHAIR OF ELIJAH
Places the baby on the chair of Elijah and then removes him from the chair. This honor may be assigned to up to two people. Rabbi Cooper will bring a specially designed magnificently adorned chair covering to create Elijah's chair.

SANDEK
Holds the baby duri the actual circumcision. One person.

SANDEK FOR THE NAMING
Holds the baby while the naming prayers are said. One person.

MOTSI
Recites the "motsi" or prayer over bread at the light meal which follows the ceremony.