Written by Josh Forman, Head of Science, Education & Outreach
I was recently reminded of a midrash about the splitting of the Red Sea as the Israelites fled Egypt. We often see the Exodus as the formative moment of the Jewish people, when we moved from slavery to nationhood. Yet within this familiar story lies a powerful lesson that feels especially relevant today, and one that reflects the ethos of Jnetics: miracles do not simply happen. They are enabled by courage, initiative and proactive action.
As the Israelites stood trapped between the advancing Egyptian army and the sea, even Moshe’s leadership did not bring about an immediate miracle. According to the midrash, it was only when Nachshon ben Aminadav stepped forward and entered the water that the sea finally split. Nachshon did not wait passively for salvation. He took responsibility, creating the conditions for transformation. The message is clear: progress begins when someone is willing to take the first step.
This principle lies at the heart of Jnetics’ work. For the past 11 years, Jnetics has been taking that pioneering step, harnessing advances in genetic science and technology to offer proactive prevention for the Jewish community. So far more than 9,000 individuals have undergone recessive carrier screening through Jnetics, across schools, university campuses and our clinic. Of those screened, 42 per cent were found to carry at least one serious genetic condition, including life-limiting and life-shortening disorders such as Tay-Sachs disease, cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), among 49 conditions in total.
Each screening represents an individual or couple choosing not to leave the future to chance. Instead, they took informed action to reduce the risk of children being born with devastating genetic conditions. That same proactive mindset has been evident in the NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme, where Jnetics, alongside Chai Cancer Care, serves as the official outreach and engagement partners. Through this collaboration, an extraordinary 44,000 people registered for BRCA testing during the first phase of the trial, demonstrating the community’s willingness to engage with genetic knowledge to protect health and save lives.
Jewish identity is ancient and resilient, rooted in shared heritage, culture and history. This strong sense of continuity, often described as an ethno-religion, has sustained the community through centuries of upheaval. However, that same history has shaped the community’s genetic landscape. Repeated migration, population bottlenecks caused by persecution, and long-standing patterns of marrying within the community have increased the prevalence of certain inherited genetic conditions.
This is not a weakness, but a by-product of survival. It reflects resilience, cohesion and mutual support. It also explains why proactive genetic screening is so important. The Jewish community has long been one that identifies challenges and responds collectively, and Jnetics’ work is a modern expression of that instinct.
Recessive carrier screening through Jnetics is straightforward, fast and profoundly impactful. By identifying genetic risks before pregnancy, individuals and couples are empowered with knowledge and options, helping to ensure that future generations are spared unnecessary suffering. As the story of Nachshon teaches us, when we step forward with intention and courage, we create the space for miracles to unfold. Jnetics exists to help the community take that step, proactively and together.
