Page 8 - The Jewish Voice - December '22

Page 8, The Jewish Voice

Local Happenings from page 7

Palm Beach Dramaworks is a professional, nonprofit media, metalsmithing, firing. Each workshop
theatre company founded in 2000 and located in the and ceramics with is led by an experienced
heart of downtown West Palm Beach. Each season, the multiple specialized instructor in a small group
award-winning company produces five mainstage shows kilns. setting and geared for the
and offers a wide variety of programs for students at the Enjoy the warm curious beginner or the
theatre, in schools, and online. Committed to fostering the Florida breezes in the experienced artist.
future of theatre, PBD has become a hub for playwrights open-air workspaces in Private Party
in Florida and around the country to nurture their work the ceramics studio or Workshops are available
through initiatives including Drama (in the) works and the on a serene chickee hut to entertain a group of
annual New Year/New Plays Festival. PBD is a member and deck. Wine Down friends or clients. The
of Theatre Communications Group, Florida Professional Wednesday workshops instructors will lead you
Theatres Association, and the Cultural Council of Palm are offered in the through each step as
Beach County. www.palmbeachdramaworks.org. covered patio space you learn to create your
Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at outside Vintage Wine piece of art. Take classes
7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. (except August: & Charcuterie, where Metalsmithing jewelry studio with friends or meet new Wine Down Wednesdays with
Osage County, which are at 7:30 p.m.), and select Sundays guests can enjoy a glass friends at the LAC. For Pam Ayres
at 7 p.m. Matinee performances are on Wednesday, Saturday, of wine while painting in a group setting. Low-commitment, more information or to
and Sunday at 2 p.m. Post-performance discussions for all one-time evening workshops called Select Fridays are register for a creative experience, visit lighthousearts.org.
shows except August: Osage County follow Wednesday offered on Friday nights, where people can explore wheel
matinee and Sunday evening performances. Tickets for throwing, glass fusion, enameled jewelry, Shibori, and raku Local Happenings on page 10
all performances are $84, except for opening night of
each production ($99) and previews ($64). Student tickets
are available for $15, and anyone under 40 pays $40 (no Saving A Life: Give The Gift Of
additional fees) with a photo ID. Tickets for educators
are half price with proper ID (other restrictions apply).
Group rates for 20 or more and subscription packages Knowledge
for four or five plays are also available. Tickets can be
purchased through the box office, in person or by phone
(561) 514-4042, Ext. 2, and online 24 hours a day at In Judaism, the obligation to save a life in jeopardy, is exams, mammograms and earlier prostate cancer screenings.
palmbeachdramaworks.org. considered a major value to uphold. This obligation applies A personal and/or family history of breast, ovarian,
The Don & Ann Brown Theatre is located in the heart of to both an immediate threat and a less grave danger that has high-grade prostate or pancreatic cancers on your mother's
downtown West Palm Beach, at 201 Clematis Street. For the potential of becoming serious. - Jewish Virtual Library, or father's side of the family may be a sign of a hereditary
ticket information contact the box office at (561) 514-4042, the concept of pikuach-nefesh gene mutation. - Basser Center for BRCA
or visit www.palmbeachdramaworks.org. In 2009, Jupiter resident Amy Byer Shainman learned she How can I not share these pearls of lifesaving wisdom;
carried a BRCA1 gene mutation that put her at an increased how can I not help people connect the dots and possibly
Men’s Club Shares Questions risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Shainman save lives? - Amy Byer Shainman
learned about hereditary cancer and BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene A certified genetic counselor is the most qualified person
about Life mutations from her sister Jan. Jan was diagnosed with both to assess cancer risk, order appropriate genetic tests/testing
ovarian and uterine cancer (two separate primary cancers) in panels (if any), and interpret those results. Certified genetic
The Men’s Club at Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens 2008. More than a year after her initial diagnoses, Jan learned counselors are available to speak with in person or by
recently gathered to celebrate and discuss all they have in she carried a BRCA1 gene mutation. After she completed phone.
common while making sure to steer away from divisive chemotherapy, Jan attended an ovarian cancer conference, Find one here: National Society of Genetic Counselors
politics. Rabbi Vigler opened the evening with a thought from where she learned about red flags for BRCA and hereditary http://findageneticcounselor.com
the weekly Torah portion that was relevant to the struggles we cancer. Jan brought that information to her healthcare Shainman started to journal about her experience in
face as individuals and the strength we can draw from the way providers, insisting on genetic counseling and testing. 2010, and that's when she got the initial idea to write a
that G-d presented them to Abraham in the parsha. Questions JAN'S RED FLAGS book. She hopes that people come to understand BRCA
about life, Judaism, and relationships were discussed and • She was of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and hereditary cancer syndromes through the expert
debated, resulting in a warm feeling shared by all participants. • She had two primary cancers at the same time (ovarian commentary and patient experiences. In addition, she hopes
and uterine) her story is a source of comfort and help for individuals and
• She was under 50 years old when diagnosed families with similar issues and a source of insight for other
• There was breast cancer on Dad's side of the family. YES, readers.
the paternal side matters! Give the gift of knowledge this Hanukkah. Resurrection
People of Eastern or Central European Jewish descent, Lily available online everywhere books are sold.
specifically Ashkenazi Jewish descent, have approximately a ABOUT
1 in 43 chance of having a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. Amy Byer Shainman, also known as BRCA Responder,
- Ellen Matloff, MS, CGC, My Gene Counsel is an advocate, author, and producer providing support and
As Shainman started researching hereditary cancer, she education surrounding BRCA and other hereditary cancer
learned that BRCA1 was first discovered in the laboratory syndromes. She's the executive producer of the award-winning
of Dr. Mary-Claire King in 1990 and was cloned in 1994. documentary Pink & Blue: Colors of Hereditary Cancer.
Widespread clinical genetic testing for both BRCA1 and Shainman is a BRCA1 gene mutation carrier and a
BRCA2 became available in 1996. So, why, Shainman “previvor,” – meaning she is a survivor of a predisposition
thought, in 2008, were healthcare providers and her entire to cancer (a previvor is someone at extraordinarily high
Get Creative at Lighthouse family unaware of BRCA mutations at the time of Jan's risk for cancer who has not had the disease). In 2010, she
initial diagnoses? Why didn't Jan's healthcare providers had two prophylactic surgeries to reduce her cancer risk
ArtCenter insist on genetic counseling and genetic testing? Why wasn't drastically; a nipple-sparing, skin-sparing mastectomy with
this on anyone's radar? Shainman was angry and frustrated; reconstruction and an oophorectomy with a hysterectomy.
The Lighthouse this was information that could save lives. Cure Magazine, The Jewish Journal, and The Palm Beach
Art C e nt e r o f fe r s Everyone is born with two BRCA1 genes and two Post have featured Shainman's story. She has also appeared
ongoing classes or low- BRCA2 genes, and when you are born with a BRCA1 on numerous live and taped television and radio segments
commitment, one-time or BRCA 2 gene mutation, one of those BRCA1 or nationwide. As a digital ambassador for the National Society
evening workshops to BRCA2 genes, also known as tumor suppressor genes, of Genetic Counselors gene pool, Shainman is considered
explore a variety of is not working. Therefore, you only have the protection one of fifteen influencers who have unique perspectives and
disciplines. of one working gene. Hence, people with a BRCA1 or knowledge in the fields of genetics and genetic counseling.
L oc a t e d i n t he BRCA2 gene mutation inherently have an increased risk She is an administrator for the largest female-only BRCA
heart of Tequesta, the of developing certain cancers. Although there are different support group on social media. Shainman has published
ArtCenter offers a ramifications for men, men can also carry and pass on a articles in The American Journal of Managed Care, Jupiter
vibrant school of art, Give the wheel a whirl BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation to daughters and sons. Magazine, and Oncology Nursing News.
unique exhibitions, and Women who have a BRCA gene mutation have up to Shainman's medical memoir Resurrection Lily: The
dynamic special events. The nonprofit’s three-building a 75% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and up BRCA Gene, Hereditary Cancer & Lifesaving Whispers from
campus includes multiple galleries, 2D and 3D studios, to a 50% lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer. A the Grandmother I Never Knew has won over 14 literary
and an ArtShop filled with art supplies, handmade jewelry, personalized cancer risk management plan for women can awards and was a 2020 book club selection of The National
textiles, photography, and pottery. Classes in the school’s include increased and earlier screenings (such as breast MRI Library of Medicine.
spacious studios include all levels of painting (including and mammogram), consideration of risk-reducing surgeries, Shainman is currently producing a scripted feature film
acrylics, oils, and watercolors), glass, textiles, mixed and chemoprevention. (taking a medication shown to lower highlighting what it's like to be a BRCA-positive female at
the chance of developing cancer). high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.
Men can also have BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations
and can be at increased risk for certain cancers. While cancer Amy Byer Shainman
risks in male BRCA carriers are not as dramatically elevated brcaresponder.com
as those of female BRCA carriers, cancer risk management @BRCAresponder
and early detection are crucial. Medical management for Twitter
men with a BRCA mutation may include clinical breast Facebook
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