There are many things I can write about Rabbi Friedman's talent, steady hand, care for newborns, sensitivity to new parents' worries, etc., but the overall "theme" in describing him is his genuine care and compassion. As soon as you speak to him his menschkeit shines through, and we knew it was an instant shidduch as soon as we began our conversations.
As soon as I found out we were pregnant with a boy, I immediately began searching for a mohel. And like all parents want for their children, only the absolute best would do.
We are fortunate enough to live in an area with many mohel options and recommendations, so I began making phone calls and looking up reviews and references. I came across Rabbi Friedman's through various sources which all kind of came together: a Mom's group on Facebook, several personal friends who've used him, and his write-ups, website, and various online articles.
I emailed Rabbi Friedman several months before my due-date, which felt a bit weird planning for something before the baby was even born, but I knew there was no way I was making such a monumental decision in 8 days, while feeling overwhelmed by the joy of having a new baby, recovering from a csection, and being all sorts of emotional and sleep-deprived. Rabbi Friedman was understanding and immediately put my mind at ease, especially about my worry that the baby would roll off the pillow lol! He replied to EVERY SINGLE ONE OF MY EMAILS in a timely fashion, answering my questions with care and sensitivity, and putting my mind at ease.
I was immediately impressed by his ability to explain his craft and answer questions in great detail and with compassion. I knew that he's heard the same question a million times, but he never made us feel like anything we asked was dumb or unimportant. When you're speaking to him, Rabbi Friedman has genuine kindness in his heart and mamash makes you feel like you're the most important thing in that moment.
When the big day came, no one was as nervous as I was. In fact, I emailed Rabbi Friedman the night before in a panic- even telling him that for sure there is no nervous mother like a mother on the night before her son's bris. Rabbi Friedman listened to me, eased my worried mind, and I was able to relax a bit...
The next morning everyone gathered for the momentous occasion, and Rabbi Friedman once again proved that he is the Cadillac of mohels. Before the bris, he met with my husband and me and went over every single detail about the baby's aftercare. He spent much time reviewing the hour-by-hour follow-up care and what we'd need to do to keep our son comfortable, clean, and his area sterile and healthy. Then he handed us everything we discussed in writing- because even though we paid attention, of course our minds were all over the place!
Rabbi Friedman answered questions before we even asked them, which was amazing and such a relief! He knew exactly what needed and wanted to know, when lets' face it- we didn't know what we didn't know. He was prepared and it's clear that he is a perfectionist in his craft, because we left the bris confident and able to care for our son.
At the bris, Rabbi Friedman spoke beautifully (and was so funny!) to the crowd which included 3 year olds, my 90 year old grandmother, and everything in between. He was able to captivate the audience by keeping things light while honoring the beauty , seriousness, sanctity of our son officially becoming a member of the tribe. Everyone in attendance told us it was a beautiful simcha and asked how we found "the amazing mohel".
After the bris, Rabbi Friedman texted us hourly reminders all day and evening to make sure we kept up with the aftercare and was available instantaneously for any follow up questions we had.
We would recommend Rabbi Friedman to anyone and everyone in a heartbeat. He truly loves what he does, he is committed to his parents and babies, and you can just tell that his heart and soul are in it and that he loves-- as he calls them- "his little friends".
One of the most amazing human beings we've ever met, Rabbi Friedman truly does kiddush hashem with every bris he performs, and we are forever grateful he was there for our son's. read more