Wednesday, February 4 2026

A Case For Leaving the House

I’ll admit it — it’s cold. It’s the kind of cold that makes you feel like staying in is the sensible choice. The kind where you sit on your couch with your blanket, your tea, and those pajamas that were never meant to be seen by anyone you respect. 

And listen, that’s fine for a day or two.  But if you’re waiting for a Level 3 to justify leaving the house — that’s a red flag.  What you really need, every once in a while, is a night to be iconic.

CCFI Kicks Off the Year With Policy, Advocacy, and Israel Update

The Cincinnati Coalition for Israel (CCFI) held its first meeting of the year on Monday, January 12, at the Orange Spot Bistro, convening supporters for a lunchtime briefing focused on recent developments surrounding the Abraham Accords and Israel’s current security situation.

Hoax Threat Triggers Police Response at Hamilton Synagogue

Beth Israel Congregation, a conservative synagogue in Hamilton, received an emailed bomb threat on Monday, Dec. 29, prompting a police response and a full sweep of the building. No device was found.  Police said additional Jewish institutions in the region received similar emails. Those locations were also cleared with no threats discovered.

Lotsa Latkes 

As we all know, latkes are one of the most important aspects of Hanukkah. We’ve all eaten these delicious potato pancakes and argued about whether applesauce or sour cream is the superior topping (it’s obviously applesauce). But what about other flavors of latkes?

Hanukkah 2025

Hanukkah 2025 will not be remembered for latkes or that incredible dreidel spin. In the last 24 hours, Jews have watched a series of events unfold that are difficult to ignore: a deadly attack at a Hanukkah gathering on a beach in Australia, a shooting reported inside a Jewish Studies classroom at Brown University, and

Jewish Joy Found in Oxford

After a long first semester filled with new friendships, meaningful moments, and the slow but powerful feeling of finding home in a new place, Hillel at Miami University (Hillel at Miami) students are finally taking a well deserved break. This semester, we built something special. We shared Shabbats that felt like family dinners, holidays that

Israel Experiences and Learning Opportunities at the University of Cincinnati

CINCINNATI – Amidst the study sessions, last-minute cramming, and stress the end of semester may to students who face exams, the University of Cincinnati’s (UC) Israel Initiative Committee (IIC) opened a space for two hours, offering students a break, dinner, and an opportunity to hear about what UC can offer in the upcoming semester.  The

Pattern of Anti-Semitic Graffiti Being Addressed at Miami U

Recently, Miami University experienced repeated antisemitic graffiti incidents, including comments and a swastika. The university responded quickly, involving various departments. Jewish community leaders emphasized the need to address antisemitism while acknowledging a growing reluctance among students to report incidents due to fears of dismissal or scrutiny. Reporting is crucial to combat hate.

Two Local Incidents Show October 7 Antisemitism Never Ended

Recent antisemitic incidents in Cincinnati highlight that antisemitism is not receding since October 7 but has become embedded in the culture. A Jewish citizen faced aggression while cleaning anti-Zionist graffiti, and overt expressions of hate persist. Young Jews feel unprepared for hostility and need to understand the importance of Jewish safety and identity in combating hate.

What They Got Right: Lessons From the Tree of Life Gala

Downtown Cincinnati was buzzing on Wednesday night. Babysitters were booked solid, dinner reservations were impossible to get and Music Hall became the center of gravity. Some people were dressed up for the Nas concert; others — myself included — were headed to the Jewish National Fund’s (JNF) Tree of Life Gala. This year’s gala honored

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