March 15th Jewish Genetics Program at KJ

Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center Presents

Knowing Your Jewish Genetic Heritage: Awareness for the Sake of Your Children & Their Children (A Medical & Halachic Discussion)

Program to take place Sunday March 15th, 10:30am-12:00pm at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun in Manhattan

Monday, March 2, 2009 – On Sunday, March 15th, Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center, which provides resources and programs across North America for individuals, families, synagogues and mikvaot on topics of Taharat Hamishpacha (laws related to women and mikvah) and women’s health, will present a Jewish genetics symposium entitled “Knowing Your Jewish Genetic Heritage: Awareness for the Sake of Your Children and Their Children (A Medical & Halachic Discussion).” The event will take place from 10:30am to 12:00pm at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, 125 East 85th Street in Manhattan.

The Nishmat program offers a unique opportunity to hear from medical and Halachic experts about genetic testing and the Halachic implications of certain modern-day medical procedures. In light of recent news related to Jewish genetic diseases (e.g. the revelation that Mumbai’s terror victims Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg had children who were afflicted with Tay Sachs disease) and fertility treatments (the California “Octuplets,” egg donation becoming more prevalent in light of harsh economic times), issues surrounding genetics and fertility are once again prominently in the media spotlight.

The March 15th program will consist of a panel discussion led by Susan Gross, MD, Chairperson of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at North Bronx Healthcare Network and Jacobi Hospital, and Yoetzet Halacha Atara Eis, a Halachic advisor in the area of Taharat Hamishpacha. Eis is currently on staff at nine synagogues throughout Manhattan and Kemp Mill Synagogue in Silver Spring, MD.

Gross and Eis will discuss issues that include: the Halachic background related to encouraging genetic testing, the preferred model of testing for Jewish genetic diseases and how to keep testing a private matter in order to prevent stigmatization. They will also touch on Halachic issues related to In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (the process of screening embryos so they are deemed healthy prior to implantation during IVF).

To find out more about this program and other programs of Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center, call 212-983-6975 or email mgc@afnishmat.org.

About Yoatzot Halacha
Yoatzot Halacha are chosen for their extensive Torah scholarship, leadership ability and deep religious commitment. To become certified, each Yoetzet devotes two years (over 1,000 hours) to talmudic and halachic study at Nishmat: The Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women in Jerusalem. There they also receive training from experts in modern medicine, psychology, gynecology, infertility, women's health and sexuality. Following comprehensive examinations administered by a panel of distinguished Roshei Kollel and Poskim, graduates of Nishmat’s Keren Ariel Halachic Institute are awarded the title of Yoetzet Halacha.

Since the first graduating class in 2000, more than fifty women have been certified as Yoatzot Halacha. Many serve Jewish communities across Israel and North America and are available via phone or internet to women all over the world. They have answered thousands of questions in connection with the observance of taharat hamishpacha and on topics of women’s health.

To read more about Yoatzot Halacha and the issues they address, visit www.yoatzot.org and www.jewishwomenshealth.org. To contact a Yoetzet Halacha directly, call Nishmat’s Golda Koschitzky Halachic Hotline toll-free at 1-877-YOETZET or visit www.yoatzot.org to send an email. Every call and email is anonymous and confidential.

About Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center
Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center was established in 2006 through a generous grant from Drs. Miriam and Felix Glaubach to enhance women’s observance of the laws of taharat hamishpacha and bring the expertise and compassion of Nishmat’s Yoatzot Halacha to Jewish communities across North America. Programs include Shabbat scholars-in-residence and Yoetzet-in-residence workshops, taharat hamishpacha “refresher” courses, Women’s Health and Halacha Days, and other classes, lectures and programs tailored to individual community’s needs.