by Shira Kohan As a Persian Jew, we are known for many things: our delicious tahdig and kabob, our perfection of the art of taarof, and of course, our magical healing powers of chai ba’ nabat (tea and rock sugar). However, one thing Persian Jews are definitely not known for is our willingness to
by Rachel Weaver Tay-Sachs. Fragile X Syndrome. I vaguely remembered hearing about these genetic diseases in a high school biology classroom that smelled like glue, or over the buzz of a lecture hall at the University of Georgia, but I had never paid them much mind. While grave, they just seemed like ominous disorders
JScreen mourns the loss of our friend and fellow Jewish genetic disease activist, Randy Yudenfriend Glaser. Randy cofounded the Jewish Genetic Disease Consortium after giving birth to two children, Lauren and Jonathan, who are living with Mucolipidosis Type IV (ML4), a devastating and life-threatening Jewish genetic disease. Randy’s mission was to educate the community about
by Ilana W. Wow is all I can say! After a whirlwind AIPAC policy conference with over 18,000 people from different backgrounds, cities, and ages, I am more invigorated than ever. I felt like I was in a microcosm of Jewish life; high schoolers interacting with Holocaust survivors, Rabbis and politicians conversing, and pretty
by Kara Wexler Love sweets? Turns out, your genes might actually influence that sweet tooth you’ve always tried to suppress. A study by Dr. Danielle Reed, of Monell Chemical Senses Center, found that a certain subset of the population is genetically more likely to have a “weak sweet taste,” which then creates a craving for
by Shari Ungerleider When I gave birth to my first child, Evan, in August of 1994, my husband and I were elated. After nine long months of anticipation we were finally blessed with a beautiful baby. We joyfully watched Evan grow and develop normally for the next six months; he was such a happy baby, always
by Becca Shimshak “There’s a land that I see where the children are free and I say it ain’t far to this land from where we are.” – Marlo Thomas For me, having children felt so far away when I was diagnosed with endometriosis and an ovarian cyst. I turned to in vitro fertilization (IVF)
by Rachel S. Our journey with Gaucher disease started when my husband, Ryan, and I decided that we wanted to start a family soon. It was August 2011 and I was due for my annual visit with my OBGYN. Knowing that within the next year we would want to start trying to have children, I asked my OBGYN
by Sierra Weiss Like many other young couples, Gail Heyman and her husband, Lyons met in college, got married after they graduated, and waited a few years before starting their family. Although having children is always a big step that will forever change a couple’s life, their experience was even more life changing. They
by Meredith Cohen When Karen Grinzaid introduced JScreen in an announcement at High Holiday services at Congregation Or Hadash in 2013, my mom was interested immediately and was the first person to contact her for more information. Within a couple of days, my brother and I registered online and our screening kits were later mailed
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