Honors Programs and RIETS Host a Discussion on Genetic Testing and Jewish Law
Feb 17, 2021 By: lberlinger
Esti Rose
On Tuesday, February 2, 2021, the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein Honors Program at , the S. Daniel Abraham Honors Program at , the Business Honors and Entrepreneurial Leadership Program at the , and the (RIETS) hosted 鈥淕enetic Testing: A Scientific and Halachic Perspective.鈥
The featured speaker was Esther Rose 鈥07S, a genetics counselor from JScreen, a program for Jewish genetic diseases headquartered at Emory University鈥檚 Department of Human Genetics. Sara Gdanski 鈥21S, a current honors student who has worked as a JScreen intern, developed the idea for the very successful event that drew approximately 200 participants.
Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz
Joining Rose was Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz, director of the Semikhah [rabbinic ordination] Program at RIETS, and the panelists discussed scenarios involving reproductive genetic testing and how screenings might influence family planning.
鈥淭he session was incredibly informative and well presented,鈥 said Yonatan Kurz 鈥23YC. 鈥淟earning about the importance of genetic testing and the accompanying halachic [Jewish law] and practical implications made it a tremendously helpful and enlightening presentation.鈥
Dr. Eliezer Schnall, director of Yeshiva College鈥檚 Honors program, was excited by the turnout and looks forward to co-hosting more events that bring together the University鈥檚 honors programs.
Esti Rose
Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz
