Rabbis and Cantors

Programs for Rabbis and Cantors

Members of the Jewish clergy can play an important role in promoting timely and accurate carrier screening for all Jewish and interfaith couples.  The JGDC strongly urges discussing the importance of preconception carrier screening during premarital counseling sessions.  Please also share this information with other members of your congregation.

As rabbis, you do not need to be genetic counselors, but should have a basic understanding of Jewish genetic diseases, how they are passed down from parent to child, what the screening process involves and options available to carrier couples.

The JGDC is proud to introduce “Couples Aware”.  The Couples Aware program trains and empowers rabbis and cantors to discuss genetic disease carrier screening during premarital counseling sessions.  During the training, rabbis and cantors meet parents of children with genetic diseases, learn from a genetic counselor about the science behind screening and discuss the critical role rabbis and cantors can play in premarital counseling about genetic disease screening.   

If you are interested in having the JGDC present this program, please contact the JGDC by email at info@jewishgeneticdiseases.org or phone at 855-642-6900.

Programs for the Community​

The “Community Program” educates the Jewish and interfaith communities about the role carrier screening plays in the prevention of genetic diseases.  Through videos, presentations and handouts, the JGDC helps people understand what Jewish genetic diseases are, what it means to be a carrier and what couples can do to maximize their chances of having healthy children. If you are interested in bringing this program to your community, please contact the JGDC by email at info@jewishgeneticdiseases.org or phone at 855-642-6900.

Programs Presented

California
Sinai Temple – Los Angeles, CA – Couples Aware Rabbi Education
Wilshire Boulevard Temple – Los Angeles, CA – Couples Aware Rabbi Education
NDF Ambassadors  – Los Angeles, CA – Community Program

Colorado
Temple Emanuel – Denver, CO – Couples Aware Rabbi Education

Connecticut
Jewish Federation – Greenwich, CT – Couples Aware Rabbi Education
Jewish Community Center of Stamford – Stamford, CT
Community Program University of Hartford – Hartford, CT
Community Program for students Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford – Hartford, CT
Community Program Congregation Beth Israel – Hartford, CT
Couples Aware Rabbi Education Temple Beth El – Stamford, CT – Community Program

Georgia
Jewish Federation – Savannah, GA – Community Program
Jewish Federation – Savannah, GA – Couples Aware Rabbi Education NTSAD Family Conference – Atlanta, GA

New Jersey
Ocean County New Jersey Board of Rabbis – Couples Aware Rabbi Education

New York
Park Avenue Synagogue – New York, NY Launch of Couples Aware Rabbi Education
Westchester Reform Synagogue – Scarsdale, NY – Couples Aware Rabbi Education
East Midwood Jewish Community Center – Brooklyn, NY – Community Program

North Carolina
Levine Jewish Community Center of Charlotte – Charlotte, NC- Couples Aware Rabbi Education
Levine Jewish Community Center of Charlotte – Charlotte, NC – Community Program

Michigan
Jewish Federation – Bloomfield, Ml – Couples Aware Rabbi Education
Jewish Federation – Bloomfield, Ml – Community Program

Missouri
Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City- Kansas City, MO – Couples Aware Rabbi Education
Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City- Kansas City, MO – Community Program

Ohio
Temple Israel – Dayton, OH – Couples Aware Rabbi Education
Boonshoft CJCE – Dayton, OH – Community Program

Oregon
Mittleman Jewish Community Center – Portland, OR – Community Program
Temple Israel – Portland, OR – Couples Aware Rabbi Education

Rhode Island
Temple Emanu-EI – Providence, RI – Couples Aware Rabbi Education
Temple Habonim – Barrington, RI – Community Program

South Carolina
Charleston Jewish Community Center – Charleston, SC – Couples Aware Rabbi Education
Charleston Jewish Community Center – Charleston, SC – Community Program

Washington
Temple De Hirsch Sinai- Seattle, WA – Couples Aware Rabbi Education

Washington DC Area
Washington Hebrew Congregation -Washington, DC – Community Program
Washington Hebrew Congregation -Washington, DC – Couples Aware Rabbi Education

Conferences
Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) – Booth and Session – San Diego, CA
Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) – Booth and Session – Orlando, FL
Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) – Booth and Session – Philadelphia, PA
CCARWomen’s Rabbinic Network – Session – Denver, CO
CCARWomen’s Rabbinic Network – Session – Albany, NY

Rabbinic Schools
Hebrew Union College (HUC) – New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA
Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) – New York, NY
Passaic & Bergen County Board of Rabbis, Temple B’nai Or, Morristown, NJ – Couples Aware Rabbi Education