brit milah

• Brit Milah - religious circumcision of boys at eight days old.
• Brit Milah's are carried out by a mohel (male) or in some reform communities a mohelet (female)
• circumcision is performed in front of a minyan - the baby is placed on a cushion on an empty chair that is known as Elijah's chair. - represents an ancient belief that the spirit of prophet Elijah visits every circumcision
• traditionally only men attend the Brit Milah ceremony but Liberal and Reform Jews encourage all to be present