Rabbi Zachary Hepner
Honors During the Bris Ceremony to Print
Honors During the Bris Ceremony — Printable List
Please complete this list and print it, and bring it to the Bris ceremony. Include their names and their nicknames, as they are called socially. There is always room to add more people who hold the baby for a few seconds, but this form covers the minimum size for the main honors surrounding the bris ceremony.
This can affect which honors and customs apply. If you're unsure, select "Speak with Rabbi Hepner."
Main Honors, In Order
1. Kvatter In
Grandmother 1 (or any family or friend)
2. Chair of Elijah
Grandfather 1 (or any family or friend)
3. Sandek
Grandfather 2 (or any family or friend) — holds the baby during the circumcision
4. Amidah le-Berachot / Standing Sandek
Family / Friend / Religious leader
5. Berachot
Always Rabbi Hepner
6. Kvatter Out
Grandmother 2 (or any family or friend)
Additional Honors (optional — for anyone else who holds the baby briefly)
These additional honors are a traditional formality — each one typically lasts around ten seconds.
The Print, Email, and Text buttons above use whatever you've filled in on this page. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere by this website — emailing or texting simply opens your own email or messaging app with the list already filled in, so you can send it to whoever needs it.
When texting the list, please include Rabbi Hepner in the three-way text chain so that he receives the information as well: (212) 316-4784.