23andMe is a private company dedicated to helping individuals understand their own genetic information using recent advances in DNA analysis technologies. Their DNA kits ordinarily cost $99, and provide information on a person's ancestry and risk of developing a large range of genetic diseases. The company is also engaged in genetic research and has great interest in Ashkenazi diseases.  To help further their research, they are providing participating synagogues with up to 100 kits (and associated services) for free. You do not need to be of Ashkenazi descent to participate. We have invited a 23andMe scientist to introduce the program to us and answer our questions. Bethann Hromatka holds a PhD from UCSF in biomedical sciences.  Her talk, about human ancestry, genetics and disease, is certain to be interesting in its own right, and after the talk we will make available the information for obtaining the genetic testing kits. We'd like to be informed participants, and so we strongly encourage attendance at the talk. But if you can't make it, check your email the next day for instructions on how to obtain a kit. The kits will be available to the first 100 Etz Chayim members who respond following the talk. Questions? Contact RabbiGoldhaber-Gordon.