Lessons from Orthodox Jewish Approaches to Hereditary Cancer Screening: CGA-IGC Genetic Counseling & Religion Podcast Series - Episode 1

Blake Jones MD - CGA-IGC Communications Committee Member

In the first episode of the Genetic Counseling and Religion Series Josie Baker MS, CGC, a genetic counselor at Ohio State University, speaks with Natalie Richeimer MS, CGC, a genetic counselor at JScreen.

Together, they explore how Orthodox Jewish communities approach healthcare in the context of genetic screening. Richeimer starts by emphasizing the Orthodox Jewish community is not a monolith. Broadly, however, it is a well-educated community that tends to approach healthcare pragmatically, particularly when interventions are clearly connected to preserving or saving life—an overarching value within Orthodox Jewish law and culture.

Medical decision-making in Orthodox Jewish communities is often guided by Talmudic law, a structured legal and ethical framework. Rabbis play a central role in helping individuals navigate complex medical decisions within this system, often acting as trusted advisors who translate religious law into practical guidance. This dynamic has important implications for genetic testing and healthcare in general. While views vary based on levels of observance, modesty, and concerns about marriageability can make conversations around genetic or cancer screening sensitive. There may be hesitation rooted in fears about how test results could affect matchmaking, family building, or even future generations if individuals are found to be at higher risk of certain diseases, particularly cancer. Richeimer highlights that there may be limited understanding of the distinction between carrier screening and hereditary cancer testing—as the former has long been emphasized in the Orthodox Jewish community, while the latter is relatively new—and this knowledge gap can extend to rabbis as well.

For genetic counselors and healthcare providers who are not members of the Orthodox Jewish community, Richeimer emphasizes the importance of humility, education, and partnership. Supporting patients effectively means engaging not only the individual, but also their broader support system, including rabbis and community organizations. Providers should take time to clearly explain the purpose of testing, how results will be used in practical care decisions, and how testing may ultimately save lives. When appropriate, clinicians can ask whether patients would like their rabbi involved, recognizing the rabbi as another trusted and equal “provider” on the patient’s care team.

The conversation concludes with a reminder to approach these interactions with curiosity and respect, particularly when discussing complex treatments such as surgery. Undermining a rabbi’s authority can damage trust and harm the provider-patient relationship. Richeimer closes with a personal anecdote illustrating how education can empower individuals within the Orthodox Jewish community to pursue more comprehensive screening with a better understanding of the practical value the information garnered from testing might provide.

The key takeaway: Orthodox Jewish patients are individuals with diverse perspectives, and meaningful care depends on recognizing that diversity, prioritizing education, involving their community and faith leaders and remaining humble, especially when discussing the evolving role of hereditary cancer screening.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now and stay tuned for upcoming discussions in this exciting research series!

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If you enjoyed this podcast, you may like others from the CGA-IGC Podcast Series (Seasons 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7) presented by the CGA-IGC Education Committee. Or, explore our Expert Approach to Hereditary Gastrointestinal Cancers podcast series (Seasons 1 and 2).

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