Cincinnati 2030 Refocused: Choosing Jewish Cincinnati
For many Jewish communities across the United States, the central challenge is no longer building institutions. It is providing clear pathways for engagement with them. That dilemma was the driving force behind the March 10th gathering at the Mayerson Jewish Community Center (JCC), where more than 100 leaders convened for a program titled “Cincinnati 2030 Refocused: From Aspiration to Action.” Leading the talk were Danielle Minson, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, and Brian Jaffee, CEO of the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati—two institutions that, as Jaffee put it plainly, “are the two main institutional funders of this Jewish community.”
Iran Is Not a Debate For the Persian Jews of Cincinnati
For many Jewish Cincinnatians, Iran exists as a headline—another distant conflict, another geopolitical problem to be debated and then set aside. For Persian Jews of Cincinnati, it is something else entirely. It is memory. It is exile. And for some, it is a home they can never return to.
Antisemitism Legislation Passes at Miami University
In February, Hillel at Miami University hosted an event in partnership with Ghana Student Association and the Nigerian Student Association called Spread Cream Cheese Not Hate in the Armstrong Student Center. We wanted to invite other groups on campus that experienced hate to stand beside us in our call to share unity and peace on campus. Our goal was to collect as many signatures as possible from Miami students who want to stand up against hate on campus. We provided bagels and cream cheese and created space for conversation about the campus climate, what to do if someone witnesses hate, and how to be an upstander. The event was a great success, with more than 100 signatures collected. Thousands of students walked by our table, and the effort reached thousands more through views, likes, and reposts on social media.
CAIR Leader’s Graphic ‘Skin Bank’ Rant Rocks Ohio Senate During Antisemitism Hearing
ebruary 18th saw the continuation of the second legislative attempt to codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism into state law. The hearing for Senate Bill 87 drew a wave of dissent, consisting of 67 testimonies from a broad coalition including the ACLU of Ohio, Council for American Islamic Relations (CAIR) Ohio, Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), and the Ohio Poor People’s Campaign.
The dissenters opposed the formal codification of the IHRA definition, which is currently in practice via Executive Order 2022-06D, issued by Governor Mike DeWine. While DeWine’s order required state agencies and public universities to adopt the definition following a surge of antisemitic incidents, the order is set to expire at the conclusion of his term. Proponents of SB 87 argue that without codification, the protection of Jewish Ohioans remains at the mercy of future governors’ discretion. If enacted, Ohio would join at least 37 other states that have already codified the definition.
Cincinnati Punches Above Its Weight on SB 87
Most legislative hearings are exactly what you’d expect. Lawmakers move through agendas, staffers shuffle papers, and bills advance with little drama. The Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Senate Bill 87, delayed by a winter storm and held on February 11th, followed that familiar script. In just over thirty minutes, legislators addressed measures involving catalytic converters, firearms reporting requirements, and probate estate fees. SB 87 came last.
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