by Gidon Schwartz, Education & Outreach Executive
Rosh Hashanah is always a time to reflect on who we are, how we interact with others, who we want to become, and what steps we should take to get there. At Jnetics, we consider these same questions, but with a focus on our genetic health and the role it plays in our future.
In our Tefillah we describe today as Hayom Harat Olam, often translated as “today is the birth of the world.” Yet the word harat more accurately means “conception.” This subtle shift in meaning changes our perspective. Rosh Hashanah is not simply about beginnings; it is about potential. It is a day for looking forward, making decisions, and setting things in motion to create the best possible year ahead. That sense of potential applies not only to our spiritual lives, but also to our physical wellbeing.
This is why one of the most practical decisions to consider is whether genetic testing is right for you. Many people still assume that Jewish genetic disorders affect only those of Ashkenazi descent, but in reality, they affect the wider Jewish community.
Our DNA tells a story at every level. On a personal level, it influences everything from hair colour to how we respond to certain medications. On a family level, it connects generations, with half of our DNA coming from each parent. On a communal level, it carries the history of the Jewish people within it.
Take, for example, the Sephardi community. After the destruction of the Second Bet Hamikdash, Jews were dispersed throughout the Roman Empire, with some settling in the Iberian Peninsula. A few carried faulty genes, and as the community grew, those genes became more common. Today, of the 49 Jewish genetic disorders that Jnetics screens for, 15 are unique to Sephardi and Mizrahi communities. Many others, such as Tay-Sachs Disease, are shared across multiple Jewish ethnic groups. In truth, genetic testing is relevant to anyone with Jewish ancestry.
The Jnetics test makes this accessible. It is a simple cheek swab that can be done at home, and it identifies healthy carriers of recessive genetic conditions. Carriers are usually unaffected, but if both partners carry the same condition, there is a one in four chance of having an affected child. Taking the test empowers you to make informed choices and protect future generations from devastating conditions.
Rosh Hashanah, however, is not only about looking forward. It is also about reflection, as expressed in the theme of Zichronot. At Jnetics, we continually reflect and act to better serve the community. That is why we have expanded our testing panel over time and continue to review it, adding conditions newly recognised as more common in those of Jewish heritage or that otherwise meet the criteria approved by our Scientific and Medical Advisory Committee.
This process of reflection leading to action is at the heart of Rosh Hashanah itself. When we blow the shofar, we recall the Akeida, where Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac. Yet the shofar does not symbolise the dramatic moment of the test, but rather what happened after. Abraham saw the ram caught in the thicket and acted.
Why is this how we recall this biblical tale? Is this postscript really that important that we use this to commemorate it thousands of years later?
The answer is yes. The shofar is marking the second stage of the Akeida. After being told to stop, Abraham asked himself “what can I take from this?”. The verse then states “he lifted up his eyes” – he looked to see what he could do, and he saw the ram and acted. The shofar reminds us of that moment. Today, we do not have God revealing himself to us and directly instructing us to do things, but the Shofar reminds us to be proactive. . It reminds us to look around, asking how we can move forward. To see what is needed to be done, for yourself and for the community. At Jnetics, we strive to do the same, constantly evaluating and adapting our testing to meet the needs of the community.
This Rosh Hashanah, as you lift your own eyes to the year ahead, consider taking the Jnetics test. It is a small step, but one with the power to shape and protect generations to come.
Shanah Tovah U’Metukah
