The national nonprofit public-health initiative jscreen, which is dedicated to preventing genetic diseases, announces its sixth annual Jewish Genetic Screening Awareness Week from Feb. 3-8. The educational program aims to raise awareness about the importance of Jewish genetic testing, a critical tool in preventing hereditary diseases that disproportionately affect individuals of Jewish descent.
Jscreen recently changed its name to jscreen.
For Dr. Matthew Goldstein, CEO of jscreen, his involvement with the organization is not just professional—it is deeply personal. In 2021, he and his wife, Myra Sack, experienced the devastating loss of their oldest child and daughter, 2-year-old Havi, to Tay-Sachs disease, a rare genetic disorder that primarily affects infants and young children.
Tay-Sachs is significantly more common among Ashkenazi Jews, where the carrier frequency is 1 in 30 compared to 1 in 300 in the general population. This tragedy inspired Goldstein to become a passionate advocate for genetic screening and education.
“Losing Havi to Tay-Sachs shattered our world. No family should ever have to endure this kind of loss,” said Goldstein. “Our mission at jscreen is to ensure that families are equipped with the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions about their genetic health, so they can avoid similar tragedies.”
The organization provides affordable, at-home genetic testing kits, offering individuals and couples access to critical health information without barriers. It offers two key tests:
- Reproductive Carrier Screen evaluates hundreds of genetic conditions, including Tay-Sachs, that are common in Jewish and other communities, enabling families to plan for healthy pregnancies.
- Hereditary Cancer Test identifies genetic mutations linked to cancers such as breast, ovarian and colorectal cancer, allowing for prevention or early diagnosis and treatment.
“Knowledge is power,” Goldstein said. “Genetic testing is a vital step toward preventing devastating diseases and ensuring healthier generations. By raising awareness through initiatives like Jewish Genetic Screening Awareness Week, we hope to empower communities to take proactive steps for their future.”
Visit jscreen.org to learn more about Jewish genetic testing or to order a testing kit.
