Truth is stranger…
I was once asked (hypothetically, of course) if I would perform a wedding ceremony for two non-Jewish friends. Though I cannot officiate at a wedding between a Jew and a non-Jew, the person wondered if there would be any conflict if neither party was Jewish.
An interesting question, I suppose. I replied that the only reason that the state of California has empowered me to officiate at weddings is because I am a leader in the Jewish community and therefore I didn’t feel as though I would have any real standing to join two non-Jews together in marriage.
[Not to mention the fact that as a rabbi I would be unable to perform a ceremony that was not overtly religious.]
In any event, take a look at this very interesting article about mohels performing circumcisions on non-Jewish babies. Certainly it has been the practise of the British Royal Family to engage a mohel for the purposes of circumcising its sons for many generations. But let us not forget that circumcision in-and-of-itself is a medical proceedure. It is the ritual of brit milah that carries spiritual significance. Since the mohel (or mohelet, if the practitioner is a woman) has been trained specifically for the purposes of carrying on a religious tradition, it is just strange to me that they would consider performing the circ without the meaning.
And apparently I’m not the only one who is perplexed by this.
Frume Sarah is Shabbos-observant -- in a Reform way, that is. Please note that from Friday afternoons until one hour after sundown on Saturday evenings, Frume Sarah will be unavailable, in observance of the Jewish Sabbath.
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Thank you for your understanding...and gut Shabbos!!! 
Frume Sarah's World 
Frume Sarah,
I am new to this blogging but where is the article you refer to?
Karen
Thanks for commenting on thekvetchingrunner! So amusing to see a namesake rabbi out there. Did you get smicha from HUC?
And shabbat shalom =).
Just pass your mouse over the word ‘article’ for the first one or ‘this’ for the second one that is the final word of the entry. Let me know if it doesn’t work and I’ll check the link.
Thanks for asking the question. That’s how to learn all this stuff!!
Yael,
I sure did. Class of ’99!!
Keep reading…and I’ll do the same.
Gut shabbos 😉
Thank you Frume Sarah it worked. I do have to share with you something. Tonight is the Hebrew naming ceremony for myself and my son (he is 13). I just received my weekly e-mail from an organization in Toronto run by Rabbi Elyse Goldstein, Kolel, and the parshat is about the naming of G-d. How profound!!!! Just had to share. Good Shabbos!
Mazal tov to you and your son. What names have you chosen?? I am always so fascinated about the names we choose for ourselves and for our children!!
May this Shabbat be particularly sweet for you!!
My son is Eiton David and I am Tikvah Kelila. It was wonderful. We went to the National Aquarium in Baltimore and talked about Judaism the hole way up. Even with my 20 yo daughter who is only recently starting to show any interest. Karen
Many non-Jews choose Mohelim because it’s what the do… and they do a lot of them. Doctors in the hospital, however, have FAR less experience with circumcision. And when you’re handing the family jewels over… you should go with the best!
Karen — what lovely names! May they bring honour to our people.
Nosher — I know why people would want a specialist. Just don’t know why the specialist would feel OK doing the circ without the spiritual/ritual/historical context.
“Mohel to the Stars” or “Mohel to royalty”; it would certainly
look impressive on a Resume’ or make for a good reference!
Other than that, I guess it depends on how much they need
the $.
Wendy you are late to the party!! There is a local mohel here (won’t name names!) who bills himself as exactly that — Mohel to the Stars.
And I agree completely — money is sadly the name of the game.