As with choosing a doctor or lawyer, choosing a mohel is best done by personal recommendation. If you do not know anybody who could provide such a recommendation, consider calling a local synagogue and asking for the names of mohels in your area with whom they have had good experiences. Often your obstetrician’s office or the hospital maternity service where you deliver can provide recommendations for you.
The most important thing to find out when you speak with a potential mohel is whether or not you are comfortable with his or her style. If there are specific features of a bris that you want, make sure that you mention this to your potential mohel. Find out if he/she uses an anesthetic. Find out what sort of instrument they use to perform the circumcision. Inquire if their service is mainly in Hebrew or in English. Ask what their fee is. Most mohels will charge within the same dollar range for their area. Learn how much a mohel charges for a bris here. See how flexible they are in terms of scheduling the bris at a time on the eighth day most convenient for you and your family. You may also wish to ask your potential mohel about his or her level of experience. References are usually not asked for, but you can do so if you wish.
It is best to make initial contact with the mohel before the delivery of your child. This is the case even if you do not yet know the sex of your child. The mohel will understand your calling, answer any questions you might have, and thus give you the opportunity ahead of time to see if you feel comfortable with this individual.