The third annual Jewish Community Heroes Award was given to Randy Gold of Atlanta for his work creating the Atlanta Jewish Gene Screen.
To be chosen for the $25,000 award, given by the Jewish Federations of North America, Gold received almost 9,000 online votes out of 240,000 cast to reach the semifinals. The finalists were judged by Idealist.org founder Ami Dar, actress Mayim Bialik and Forward editor Jane Eisner.
Jewish Gene Screen works to educate doctors, rabbis and community members about testing for Jewish genetic diseases.
Gold founded Jewish Gene Screen with his wife, Caroline, in 2010 after their second child, Eden, was diagnosed with mucolipidosis type IV, a genetic disease that disproportionately affects Ashkenazi Jews. According to Gold’s nomination, screening in Atlanta has now increased by 400 percent, and the organization hopes to make it standard medical practice for Jewish couples worldwide.
Four runners-up were also chosen: Shana Erenberg of Chicago, Tessa Gerall of Houston, Hart Levine of New York and Jenine Shwekey of New Jersey. Each will receive $1,000 for their causes.
According to Gold, his award will go to furthering awareness and pay for screenings for the uninsured and underinsured. He hopes to extend his program to 10 more cities next year. — jta