This year’s Kinus of Mohalim brought together a wide range of veteran and newly trained mohalim from diverse communities, with strong international representation. The gathering highlighted the unity and devotion of those entrusted with the sacred mitzvah of bris milah.

The format of the Kinus featured a roundtable discussion, with a distinguished panel addressing both medical and halachic questions. Panelists included: Dr. Jeffry A. Stock, Chief of Pediatric Urology at Mount Sinai Children’s Hospital, Dr. Avraham Polinger, acclaimed pediatrician from Kiryas Joel, Dr. Zev Nelken, anesthesiologist affiliated with NYU Langone Hospital, Rabbi Tuvia Kasimov, newly appointed Rov of Empire Shtiebel in Crown Heights, Rabbi David Banon, respected mohel and dayan from Montreal, Canada.

The kinus was organized and moderated by Crown Heights veteran mohel Rabbi Levi Y. Heber, director of the International Bris Association, together with Rabbi Yochanan Klein, director of Healing Hearts Bikur Cholim Florida.

The panel addressed pressing issues relevant to mohalim today, including: The halachic ramifications of IVF and surrogacy and their impact on bris milah, medical anomalies and treatments that may affect the procedure, and the role of vitamin K in blood clotting and its implications for bris milah.

Rabbi Heber expressed heartfelt thanks to the panelists for their consistent and ongoing availability to assist mohalim worldwide. In recognition of his tireless devotion, Dr. Stock was presented with an award of appreciation, honoring his dedication to supporting mohalim in their avodas hakodesh.

Beyond the scholarly and medical discussions, the Kinus fostered a spirit of camaraderie among participants. Mohalim shared experiences, strengthened bonds, and reaffirmed their mission to uphold the holy covenant of bris milah — particularly in places where its observance faces challenges.