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Over the past year, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Cincinnati has met the changing times with innovative strategies, new initiatives, and expanded alliances. This page highlights the impact we've made together.

Responded to 27 incidents of antisemitic and other hateful activity in the Greater Cincinnati area.

 

Convened 47 Cincinnati Jewish organizations in solidarity against antisemitism by hosting 300+ community members and civic allies “Under the Tent” at the Mayerson JCC.

Co-founded and led the Greater Cincinnati Voter Collaborative, an alliance of 54 nonpartisan community organizations engaged in voter outreach and support during the 2020 general election.

Spearheaded an anti-racism public art campaign, distributing hundreds of solidarity graphics throughout the community.

 

  • > Hosted a new speaker series, entitled To Bigotry No Sanction. In a time where our civil liberties face unprecedented threats and challenges, we designed this series to unpack different aspects of our changing American democracy, and explore what Jewish tradition teaches about each. The series features Dr. Gary P. Zola, Ronna Greff Schneider, Roberta Kaplan and Amy Spitalnick, Yavilah McCoy, Ambassador Dennis Ross, and Yehuda Kurtzer as they offer Jewish perspectives at the crossroads of American democracy and wisdom about pathways forward.

  • > Facilitated virtual “Hate at Home” trainings for more than a dozen schools, community and faith groups, and civic and media organizations on the history of antisemitism, the threat it poses today, and its intersection with other forms of hate, in partnership with the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center.

  • > Secured an increase in government funding opportunities for Cincinnati nonprofits and schools that are vulnerable to hate violence by encouraging elected officials to substantially expand the Nonprofit Security Grant Program and to support other legislation that protects at-risk institutions.

  • > Responded to 27 incidents of antisemitic and other hateful activity in the Greater Cincinnati area since last June. We supported communities whose members been physically harassed on college campuses, dehumanized by online antisemitic bullying, and threatened by white nationalist propaganda.

  • > Authored an op-ed in response to the insurrection at the US Capitol, explaining why antisemitism is a common ingredient in extremist hatred, and thus an American problem that warrants collective action to defeat.


  • > Convened 47 Cincinnati Jewish organizations in solidarity against antisemitism by hosting 300+ community members and civic allies “Under the Tent” at the Mayerson JCC.

  • > Supported Israel’s right to defend its citizens and called for peace in a public statement as Hamas targeted Israel’s civilian population with rocket and mortar fire in the largest escalation of violence since 2014. We issued regular emergency updates, developed an online resource page to inform and support community members, and shared national briefings with elected officials and community partners.

  • > Countered bias against Israel by coordinating and positioning nuanced perspectives on the conflict in local print, radio, and television media.

  • > Applauded the Abraham Accords and other regional peace agreements between the government of Israel and neighboring Gulf States in a public statement of support.

  • > Hosted Ambassador Dennis Ross for a presentation to enhance community understanding of the escalation between Israel and Hamas and the Biden administration’s approach to the Iran Deal.


  • > Supported local Jewish teens and young adults dealing with antisemitic harassment and anti-Israel rhetoric by providing social media and educational resources focused on countering antisemitism and anti-Zionism.

  • > Developed and distributed weekly Israel Updates to Jewish and civic audiences, with news and information about Israeli politics, policy, and society.



  • > Explored the past, present, and future of inter-community collaboration for justice by facilitating panels on community strategies to end gun violence and the importance of a renewed Black-Jewish alliance for justice as part of the 2021 Mayerson JCC Jewish and Israeli Film Festival.

  • > Spearheaded an anti-racism public art campaign in collaboration with ish, the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center, and Bespoken Live, and hosted conversations exploring our tradition’s mandate to act against injustice.


  • > Stood united with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community amidst a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes, speaking at community rallies and in the international press.


  • > Testified in favor of citywide police safety and justice reforms, put forth by the Ohio Justice and Policy Center and Cincinnati’s Black United Front.


  • > Provided racial equity thought leadership, strategic direction, and curated resources for Jewish Cincinnati.


  • > Advocated for the passage of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act and the Jabara-Heyer No Hate Act.

  • > Hosted southwest Ohio’s 2020 congressional candidates for the Your Vote Counts televised election forum in partnership with Local 12 News and the American Jewish Committee.

  • > Encouraged our congressional representatives to speak out and stand up against rising extremism in the social and political spheres, in response to the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol.

  • > Helped convene a virtual security advocacy day with Ohio’s federal elected delegation to share concerns and identify collaborative opportunities to enhance community security.

  • > Worked on local, state, and national advocacy efforts focused on COVID-19 relief, statewide Holocaust education and survivor assistance, anti-hate legislation, expanding religious accommodation in schools, Israeli and Palestinian peace-building, education choice programs, and bail reform, as well as voter security and access.

  • > Amplified the voice of Cincinnati’s Jewish community on issues of concern in multiple op-eds and through interviews featured in local and national radio, television, and print media coverage.

  • > Took public positions opposing Ohio’s Stand Your Ground law, on behalf of Cincinnati’s Jewish community. Sought common ground on election accessibility and security reform, supporting statewide bail reform legislation, as well as promoting both religious freedom and inclusivity.


  • > Led a community-wide technology drive to help connect isolated seniors and support the needs of local students in the sudden move to remote learning, in partnership with Jewish Family Service, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Cohen Recycling.

  • > Co-founded and led the Greater Cincinnati Voter Collaborative, a local nonpartisan alliance of 15 organizations working together to advance civic and electoral engagement in the region. The collaborative hosted voter education initiatives, training, and outreach events; mobilized to support voter registration; organized a “transportation to the polls” initiative; and developed a comprehensive, hyper-localized online voter resource.


  • > Partnered with Wise Temple to explore the local housing crisis by hosting a panel of issue experts who shared the history of housing in Cincinnati and discussed alternative solutions to creating equitable housing.


  • > Mobilized grassroots Jewish support for issue advocacy and engagement and expanded congregational partnerships and programming by convening the Jewish Cincinnati Civic Engagement Council (JCCEC).

  • > Represented the Jewish community in interfaith and intercommunity conversations and action through leadership in EquaSion, the Festival of Faiths, the Metropolitan Area Religious Coalition of Cincinnati (MARCC), the Cincinnati Regional Coalition Against Hate, the Faith and Community Alliance, and Faith Communities Go Green. We also participated in the All-In Cincinnati Equity Coalition, and statewide bail reform committees.



New This Year

The Leaders in Light Institute is JCRC’s signature new initiative, designed to build capacity in Cincinnati to combat antisemitism, extremism, and strengthen democracy. This first-of-its-kind, year-long leadership development program will create a network of informed and influential change agents. Leaders from all sectors, backgrounds, and beliefs will connect in learning and action to build a stronger Cincinnati—one that’s home to a thriving, healthy civil society where hate can’t take root.

The Leaders in Light Institute is led by an Executive Committee, which plays a key role in mapping out the vision and identifying program goals and key outcomes. Starting in September 2021, Institute facilitators Sherri Goren Slovin and Kevin Aldridge will lead an inaugural cohort of 26 influential civic leaders in nine months of learning and skill building focused on the themes of addressing extremism and strengthening civil society.

Leaders in Light has generous support provided by The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, the One8 Foundation, and individual donors.