Hate Motivated Arson Attack Not Linked To Popular Jewish Summer Camp
ZIONSVILLE – An overnight arson attack on a downtown Zionsville, Indiana building displaying an Israeli flag raised alarm among many Cincinnati Jewish families this week, but officials say there is no indication the incident was connected to Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI).
Investigators believe the fire began shortly after midnight on July 10 when an unknown arsonist set fire to the Israeli flag hanging outside a vacant building at 195 S. Main Street. The flames spread through much of the former antique store, causing more than $150,000 in damage. According to town officials, burn patterns indicate the fire started where the flag hung, investigators do not believe the fire was accidental, and no accelerants were used. The FBI has joined the investigation. No suspects have been identified, and the motive remains under investigation.
Because the Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI) is located in Zionsville, news of the fire quickly raised concerns among Cincinnati families. Originally purchased in 1928 by the Jewish Federation of Indianapolis as a 52-acre summer retreat for Jewish youth, the camp eventually became today’s GUCI. It remains a beloved institution where large swaths of Cincinnati’s Jewish identity and pride are formed.
On Friday, parents received an email from Camp Director Jeremy Klotz addressing the incident: “We have been made aware by the Jewish Federation of Indianapolis of an arson fire at a building in Zionsville that is known to display both an Israeli and an American flag,” Klotz wrote. “At this time, we have no information indicating any direct connection to GUCI or to any Jewish camp or institution.” As a precaution, GUCI added an additional security officer and said it remains in close contact with law enforcement and security professionals while camp programming continues as planned.
Mayor John Stehr echoed that message during a Friday news conference. “There is no reason to suspect that the arson was connected to activities at Goldman Union at this time,” he said. “The two locations are several miles apart.”
The Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and its partners condemned the attack, saying they were “deeply concerned” that the displayed Israeli flag may have been the target. “Arson, violence, and intimidation can never be accepted and have no place in our community,” the organizations said in a joint statement.
Longtime Zionsville jeweler Robert Goodman said the building’s owners first displayed the Israeli flag shortly after the October 7 Hamas attack. “The family put it up shortly after October 7th,” Goodman said. “In fact, I saw him and gave him a big hug afterwards.”
Goodman, who has owned a business on Main Street since 2000, said the arson does not reflect the character of Zionsville. “Someone did something that was hateful,” he said. “We’ve been here since 2000 and have not experienced any significant antisemitism. This is a terrible and hateful incident.” He praised first responders and town officials for their response in a social media post, “Hate has no home here… Zionsville rocks.”
