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Spring is here and nearly gone! We ramped up for Passover, settled in for the counting of the Omer. Now, we are looking forward toward the celebration of Shavout. But…why? Click HERE for a history of why this is such a cornerstone celebration for us as a Jewish people.

One of the gifts of Torah is how timeless the teachings truly are. This week’s portion addresses the notion of giving, and more importantly receiving constructive feedback. Click HERE for some insight from Rabbi Ben Spratt.

As we grieve through yet another synagogue shooting, it seems very appropriate to also reflect on the hatred our people have endured through the years. Please click HERE for the article titled Yom HaShoah: When Will Senseless Hatred Be a Thing of the Past?

Does spring cleaning stem from Passover?
No politics at the seder! Not true – Passover is political.
All this and more can be found in the article 10 Things I Wish Everyone Knew About Passover by Rabbi Evan Moffic.

This week offers a chance to reflect on connection with our community, and how this may lead to a higher form of holiness. Click HERE for commentary on this week’s Torah portion, SH’MINI, LEVITICUS 9:1-11:47

A lesson in humility, and using small moments to create healing. Please click HERE for commentary on this week’s Torah portion, Tzav.

A very informative commentary from Wendy Goldberg:

Ashkenazi Jews are a population with a large number of genetic mutations which have concentrated over centuries of inbreeding. There is genetic testing available based on family history of breast and other cancers to identify the markers BRCA 1 and 2, as well as to test survivors of cancer to determine if someone carries the genes that increase the risk of repeat diagnoses in various organs.

https://www.invitae.com/en/physician/tests/01202/

Pancreatic cancer is also associated with many genetic mutations.

https://www.invitae.com/en/physician/tests/01261/

Cancer is not the only genetic disease which is more common in Jews than the general population. Some of the genes can cause more than one disease. The GBA1 variation that causes Gaucher’s disease when both genes are affected can also cause Parkinson’s disease when only one gene is affected. The penetrance is only 5% for Parkinson’s disease. Of note, frequent vigorous exercise has been shown to reduce the risk for Parkinson’s.

https://www.jewishgeneticdiseases.org/jewish-genetic-diseases/

Cancer is a complex disease. Germline mutations are different than somatic mutations (which occur in cells of the body due to environmental insult but are not heritable). Many cancers have multiple somatic mutations. The germline mutations may interfere with the body’s ability to detect and/or remove cancers caused by somatic mutations.

https://www.onclive.com/publications/oncology-live/2017/vol-18-no-13/b

lurring-the-lines-between-germline-and-somatic-mutations-in-cancer