IS THERE A JEWISH GENE……AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
GUEST SPEAKERS: Dr. Brendan Cassidy & Monica Talmor
Brendan Cassidy, one of Congregation Or Shalom’s newest members, embraced Judaism in 2021. While pursuing his studies toward conversion Brendan learned, through a DNA test, that he was “already Jewish.” Nevertheless, he followed through with a traditional Mikvah ceremony.

Monica Talmor supervises the Molecular Diagnostics laboratory at Yale University. She is a longtime member of the Board of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Connecticut.

On the night of Shavuot, the “Holiday of the Giving of the Torah,” it is customary to study our ancient faith. Join us on June 5th as we explore the “Torah” of Jewish ancestry! What does it mean to be “Jewish” in the age of genetic testing? Should “Jewish genes” play a role in determining one’s Jewishness? Can a person of Jewish ancestry who practices another religion be regarded as “Jewish?” Is there really a Jewish gene?
please visit our website at www.orshalomct.org to register
COME, LEARN & DISCUSS…
…& join us for Holiday Blintzes!