Jewish News Syndicate (December 5, 2023)
As Chanukah approaches, JScreen, a national nonprofit public health initiative dedicated to preventing Jewish and other genetic diseases, announces a meaningful partnership with Manischewitz, the leading kosher family brand with a rich history spanning more than 120 years. This collaborative effort aims to raise awareness about the importance of genetic screening for family planning. A primary focus is on college campuses where students are offered genetic testing to help ensure the health of their future families.
Over the years, JScreen has formed relationships with student groups on college campuses through onsite genetic screening events. During these particularly difficult times for the Jewish community, Manischewitz has joined with JScreen to support students on these campuses by providing care packages or “comfort food for the soul.”
The first campus to receive the Manischewitz care packages was Emory University, where JScreen is based. Manischewitz is also creating care packages to ship to students at other campuses across the country, including Emory University, New York University, Rutgers University, Yeshiva University, Cornell University and Georgetown University, to name a few. The packages contain Manischewitz Cookie Kits and Manischewitz Chanukah house kits.
“We are very proud to support our students with information about genetic testing and comfort food for the soul,” says Rabbi Ilan Schwartz, executive director of Hillel at Emory.
Now in its 10th year, JScreen simplifies genetic screening by providing accessible at-home saliva kits. JScreen’s reproductive carrier testing empowers individuals and couples with comprehensive insights into their genetic makeup and the risk of having a child with a genetic disease. If an elevated risk is identified, JScreen’s genetic counselors provide private consultations through phone or video teleconferencing, discussing options to assist in planning for the health of future children.
“We are proud to partner with Manischewitz and provide students with education and support,” says Karen Arnovitz Grinzaid, executive director of JScreen.
“There is no better time than now to collaborate with JScreen in educating and reaching out to college students, highlighting the significance of genetic screening for the well-being of this and future generations. We share the love of family and are proud to support this effort for Jewish college students who are really struggling right now,” states Shani Siedman, CMO of Manischewitz.
“Manischewitz products are ‘comfort food for the soul.’ What could be a better time than now to provide our delicious food items to nurture college students?” adds Seidman.
Visit www.jscreen.org/donate to make your donation to this important cause.
For more information about JScreen testing, visit: www.jscreen.org. To learn more about Manischewitz, go to: www.manischewitz.com
To see the original article, CLICK HERE.