As 5785 draws to a close and we welcome 5786, the American Israelite would like to showcase the top stories that ran in the newspaper this last year. This is the Year in Review.
October 10, 2024 — A year after the Hamas attack on Israel, the Cincinnati community came out to commemorate the tragic events of October 7, 2023. On Monday evening, over 500 people gathered at Adath Israel synagogue to reflect on and remember those killed, and offer prayers for those still held hostage by the terrorists. The event, organized by The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, offered a message of hope moving forward in the face of growing antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment.
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Artworks and the Jewish Federation have partnered in the presentation of a new mural at 124 West 9th Street which celebrates Cincinnati’s Jewish history and heritage. The dedication of the mural, titled Let There Be Light, will be on Sunday, October 20, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
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The American Israelite is pleased to announce that two new columnists will be joining our team. Dr. Marc Lubitz, an orthopedic surgeon, will be writing a health and wellness column. Jeffrey Paul will also join the team with a political column that emphasizes constitutional issues.
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October 17, 2024 — Lots of people have bucket lists of places they would like to travel. Adventurous folks look to safaris in Africa, or trekking to Machu Picchu or diving with the great white whales in Australia. Romantic folks might want to visit Tuscany, Bali, Provence, or the like. And then there is Lisa Cook, who isn’t looking for any of that in her travel. She is looking for Jewish history, roots, and meaning. With these interests in mind, she has traveled repeatedly to Poland. Yes, Poland! Amazingly, she will soon have her ninth trip there and more importantly, she recommends such travel to others.
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Thanks to community support of the 2023-24 “Preserve. Honor. Sustain” capital giving campaign, Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati is now able to begin its largest cemetery restoration project to date. The Clifton Cemetery will soon have its eroding hillside stabilized, a long-delayed project that can finally begin only because the nearly $250,000 needed is now available from the campaign’s proceeds.
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Taking part in Jewish life in Cincinnati has never been easier, thanks to Jlive, a digital platform reimagining how our community connects with events and programs. In the late summer of 2022, the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati convened a community planning meeting to gather feedback for Cincinnati 2030, the Cincinnati Jewish community’s vision for strengthening our Jewish community by the year 2030. Through this process, the Federation learned that many people in the community wanted to engage more but struggled to find information about programs and events.
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October 24, 2024 — Twelve Cincinnati residents will receive Jewish National Fund-USA’s Tree of Life® Award at the organization’s annual gala, taking place on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Chaired by Marty Betagole, Barb & Randy Miller, and Nina Paul, the dinner will honor Hirsch and Patti Wise, known for their dedication to various Jewish causes and in memory of their parents, Lena & Sol Wise z”l, as well as pro-Israel advocates from the Christian community: Erika & Jerry Judd, Beth & Jim Judd, Judy & Bob Schmitt, Diane & Jim Schmitt, and Susan & Mike Schmitt, and in memory of their parents, Joan & Don Schmitt.
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Jewish Family Service of Cincinnati (JFS) will be hosting a live, interactive listening session that will feature presenters from the Alzheimer’s Association Center for Dementia Respite Innovation (CDRI). The two-hour session will introduce the work of the CDRI, solicit feedback from Cincinnati families about community respite needs, and allow Jewish Family Service to provide an overview of their respite project plans, which were made possible by a CDRI grant that was awarded to JFS in August. The grant was provided to enhance the quality and availability of dementia-specific respite care for people living with dementia and their caregivers in Cincinnati.
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The Skirball Museum on the Cincinnati Campus of Hebrew Union College will host an opening reception for a new exhibition on Thursday, October 31, at 5:30 p.m.
The exhibition features the photographs of American photographer Ralph Gibson who captured the images as a first time visitor to Israel.
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October 31, 2024 — Ken Germain is not yet retired, but he recently realized he wanted to devote more time to the Jewish community. World events also played a role. “When war broke out in Israel after the October 7, 2023 massacre, I felt a strong need to do even more for the Jewish People,” Ken said. “My wife, who had a more traditional Jewish background than I did, was very encouraging. Through the years, we have grown more observant, more attached to our Jewish homeland, and more motivated to contribute in whatever way we can. Ultimately, I was driven to do something to help older and/or isolated Jewish people.”
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J Baby, the Mayerson JCC’s prenatal class series, has its next session Wednesday, November 6 from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Participants have a chance to meet with other parents-to-be and engage in classes from certified professionals such as pediatricians and doulas.
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The Mayerson JCC 20s and 30s group is hosting a self-care cooking class on Sunday, November 3, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Participants will have a chance to learn recipes from Jack Hazan’s recent book “Mind Over Batter: 75 Recipes for Baking as Therapy.”
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November 7, 2024 — Harold S. Freeman, a leader in the Cincinnati Jewish community for decades and a prominent labor attorney, died October 15 at 91.
He was a modest man whose professionalism, dedication and approachability made him a mentor to many in his profession and the larger community.
In addition, Freeman was a strong family man. He was married for 62 years to Barbara Freeman, with whom he had three children: Doug (Rochelle), Brian (Martine) and Mitch (Natalie), as well as five grandchildren (Alon, Omer, Hadas, Jenna and Drew) and two great- grandchildren (Shahar and Nili).
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The Skirball Museum on the Cincinnati campus of the Hebrew Union College debuted its newest exhibit, a photography installation by Ralph Gibson. The exhibit, called “Sacred Land: Israel Before and After Time,” features photos taken by Gibson on his first ever trip to Israel.
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More than 150 people gathered on Thursday, September 26 to celebrate the Mayerson JCC at their annual meeting. The atmosphere was filled with excitement, bringing together community members, program participants, staff and local leaders to celebrate a year of growth and impact on the Jewish community.
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November 14, 2024 — Jewish Family Service of Cincinnati (JFS) and its Youth Mental Health Services team has announced the fall date for an inaugural mental health symposium, which will be hosted by Jewish Family Service and held in collaboration with the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, and the Mayerson Jewish Community Center.
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The American Israelite is bringing in a new book reviewer. Mitch Cohen grew up in Cincinnati, graduating from Walnut Hills High School and the University of Cincinnati. As a teenager, he worked for the Cincinnati Reds as their mascot, Mr. Red. He is an entrepreneur who started one of the early dot com companies in the year 2000.
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In February 2022, six members of an Afghan family seeking refuge in the United States stepped off a plane at CVG Airport. The family’s private sponsor, Isaac M. Wise Temple, was there to greet them in the form of a sponsor circle comprised of nine congregants: Sherri Weiss, Sandy Rubin, Rick Seibold, Carol and Ken Kabel, Danielle and Ken Revelson, Amanda Rosenberg and Sandy Spinner. These volunteers were ready to devote themselves to the task of guiding this family through the maze of a new life in a culture very different from the one they left behind. (Note that the family is not named here to protect family members still residing in Afghanistan.)
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November 21, 2024 — The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati held its 29th Annual Meeting last week at the Mayerson JCC. This year’s gathering was open to the public as usual but was billed as a conversation with the Foundation’s grantees.
In an interactive program featuring a brief presentation by the Foundation’s CEO Brian Jaffee, with remarks by Board Chairperson Walter Solomon and Chief Program Officer Danniell Nadiv, the Foundation summarized its grantmaking activity and outlined several challenges and opportunities it expected to address in the year ahead.
The Foundation also took the opportunity to publicly thank three outgoing Trustees — former Board Chairperson John Stein, Arna Poupko Fisher and Gloria Lipson — and announced the election of two new Trustees: Debbie Brant and Dr. Robert Kahn.
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Ohio University (OU) Hillel has received a $500,000 donation from long-time supporters Sam D. and Terry Roth ’63 of Youngstown, Ohio.
The donation is earmarked for improvements to the Hillel building at 21 Mill Street in Athens, Ohio. OU Hillel hired RVC Architects of Athens to design and oversee the renovations.
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Chari Pere, the illustrator who has provided her artwork for The American Israelite’s Kid’s Page since 2022, has been awarded Artist of the Year at the 2024 JewCE Awards. The awards were held November 10, at the Center for Jewish History in New York City. JewCE, the Jewish Comics Experience, hosts the awards annually and celebrates the best Jewish-themed comics and graphic storytelling.
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November 28, 2024 — For many children, extracurricular activities are a great way to explore new interests, develop new skills, and connect with others. For Bridget Bazeley, theatre is an essential part of her journey, one that has shaped her confidence, social skills, and sense of belonging. Theatre at the J had its inaugural session in January 2022 and Bridget was part of that first cohort for the younger children. She has now participated in every session since, totaling six performances at Theatre at the J — a place where she feels valued, supported, and empowered.
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The American Israelite is debuting a new food columnist. Marcie Rosenston was born in Topeka, Kansas and moved to Columbus, Ohio at age 12. She attended The Ohio State University, and while in school, worked in a toy store to help pay her expenses. There, she had the good fortune to meet a handsome, young assistant manager named Jerald. They moved to Cincinnati shortly before they were married and have lived here for 32 years. They have a son and a daughter.
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The Skirball Museum of Cincinnati will host a Lunch & Learn related to its latest installation, “Sacred Land” by Ralph Gibson, on Thursday, December 5, from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. The event will be held in Mayerson Auditorium in the Skirball Museum, where the exhibit is currently on display. Gibson’s exhibit opened Thursday, October 31.
December 5, 2024 — The Mayerson JCC’s 60 & Better Center will be virtually hosting Brian Rose, a film historian, to discuss New York City in films. The online event will take place Thursday, December 19, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Rose is a professor emeritus at Fordham University where he taught in the Department of Communication and Media Studies. He will be exploring the 125 year history of New York City as it is depicted in films. The city itself has been featured in over 17,000 films including “West Side Story,” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “Taxi Driver,” and more.
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It’s time again for Latkapalooza! Get ready for all things latke with the Mayerson JCC 20s & 30s group and the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. On Tuesday, December 24, from 7:00 – 11:00, attendees can cook up all sorts of tasty latkes and celebrate Chanukah in style! Latkapalooza is the biggest young adult event of the year, so be sure not to miss it!
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The Mayerson JCC is inviting children ages 5 to 13 to skate and slide at the Warm 98.5 Ice Rink at Summer Park on Saturday, December 21, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. No parents allowed! Dinner will be provided. Information about registration and fees can be found on the JCC website.
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December 12, 2024 — Paulette Dragul, Greenwood Village; Wife of the late Dr. Paul Dragul; Mother of Tamara Dragul, Gary (Shelly) Dragul, and David (Cheri) Dragul; Sister of Esther (the late Irving) Kutas, Israel and the late Dr. Isadore Alan “Izzy” (Patricia) Freid; Grandmother of Ben & Aaron Fishman, Sam, Spencer, & Charli Dragul, and Carson, Alexis, and Sloane Dragul; Great-grandmother of 5; Service was Wednesday (Dec. 11), 11:00am, Temple Sinai; interment Emanuel Cemetery; Livestream available on Temple Sinai’s website; Contributions to Temple Sinai or Boys Town Jerusalem.
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“This experience cracked my heart open and touched me in a way I will carry with me, always.”
The weight of history pressed on Anna Sarembock’s shoulders as she walked alongside 30 other women across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama in late October. This was not a casual stroll, but part of a journey deep into America’s racial past, organized by the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati with Etgar 36, a non-profit focused on civil rights education. Etgar in Hebrew means “the journey,” and for three days, the Women’s Philanthropy group’s journey included visceral confrontations with the legacy of slavery, segregation, and the civil rights movement across Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma and Birmingham.
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As the weather gets colder and Festival of Lights approaches, the Cincinnati community is preparing to celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah with joy, light, and togetherness, offering a chance to bond with friends, enjoy delicious foods, and take part in festive activities. Three exciting upcoming events include Israeli Hanukkah, Latkapalooza, and Hanukkah at Fountain Square, and exemplify how to celebrate in unique and vibrant ways.
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December 19, 2024 — Roberta “Bobbye” Appelbaum (née Lava). Beloved wife for 64 years of Leo Appelbaum; loving mother of Larry (Debbie) Appelbaum, Steven (Eve) Appelbaum, and Michelle (Keith) Carbone; proud grandmother of Rebecca (Brad) Sturt, Robert (Keri) Appelbaum, Aaron (Alexa) Appelbaum, David (Jamie) Appelbaum, Carlee (Scott) Selman, Ethan Carbone and Leah Carbone; cherished great-grandmother of Benjamin, Jonathan, Daniel, Ryder, Zoe and Charlie; dear sister of the late Richard (Lynne Luskin) Lava; fond sister-in-law of Phyllis (the late Stuart) Fine and the late Arnold (the late Joyce) Appelbaum.
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There are many ways to celebrate the upcoming Chanukah holidays in Cincinnati. Last week, The American Israelite ran an article from the Jewish Federation which detailed Chanukah events like the Israeli Hanukkah Party, Latkapalooza, and Hanukkah at Fountain Square. You can find the Federation’s article on our website, and dates for each of these events are listed on our Community Calendar as well.
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December 26, 2024 — Rockwern Academy’s Division of Adulting invites young adults of all walks of life (single, coupled, with children, or without) to an insightful workshop titled How To: Keep Calm, led by Cincinnatian Sarah Habib, founder of The Calm Caterpillar, a local non-profit that aims at utilizing the tools of mindfulness in creating calmer spaces for families, teachers and students to breathe, move and thrive in.
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January 2, 2025 — People of the Year 2024
Deb and Brett Leonard
Meet the Leonards. Deb hails from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Brett is from Long Island, New York. Both living in Cincinnati since the early-90s, Brett and Deb met while skydiving in 1996 and married a year later. They both grew up in Reform Jewish households and now attend Adath Israel Congregation. Deb works in PR for Cincinnati’s Metropolitan Sewer District and Brett works for Fifth Third Bank in the IT department.
Karen and Avner Chiriqui
Meet Avner and Karen Chiriqui, the proud owners of Kinneret Grill. Avner was born in Morocco, where he lived until his family moved to Israel when he was 12 years old. In his early twenties, he moved to New York City. Karen grew up in Cincinnati, graduated from Ohio State, lived in Israel for a few years and moved to New York for a change of pace. Karen grew up Reform in Cincinnati’s Temple Sholom but became more orthodox as she got older. Similarly, Avner grew up in a traditional Jewish home and began living a more orthodox lifestyle upon moving to New York City. Meeting in New York City, Avner and Karen married, had a few kids, and decided Cincinnati might be a better place to raise a family.
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(JNS) — The U.S. Department of Education announced on Dec. 20 that the University of Cincinnati had agreed to resolve a complaint that the school had failed to follow its obligations under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
An investigation by the department’s Office for Civil Rights reviewed approximately two dozen reports and found that the public research university did not properly respond to alleged harassment based on shared Jewish ancestry, as well as Palestinian ancestry, during the 2023-24 academic year.
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January 9, 2025 — On Saturday evening, December 28, 2024, Sheal D. Lisner passed away peacefully in his home at the age of 86. He was born on November 22, 1938, in Cincinnati, Ohio to Louis and Anna Lisner, and was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. At age 15, Sheal lost his father, and demonstrated remarkable determination, working to help support his family and later pay his way through college and law school at the University of Cincinnati, where he met Brenda Glazer, his college sweetheart and future wife.
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People of the Year 2024
Barbara and Dr. Ron Solomon
Barbara and Dr. Ron Solomon have been active members at Congregation Adath Israel for many years. “When the kids were growing up and in Sunday school, it got me to the synagogue,” Ron explains. “I was active in the men’s club and even became president. When our kids were in high school, we had a group of men that would come in on Sunday morning and cook.”
Marlene and Howard Mayers
Marlene and Howard Mayers met at the University of Cincinnati and married in the summer of 1968. Marlene began her career as a teacher for Losantiville Elementary School, but after the birth of their first child, her priority was her children. She volunteered for any organization or school they attended, including the Jewish Community Center (JCC) Early Childhood Center and later, the lunch program at Rockwern Academy (then Yavneh Day School) and the Walnut Hills High School library.
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January 16, 2025 — The Mayerson JCC is announcing Marc Fisher’s plans to retire at the end of 2025, after serving as CEO for 13 years.
Under Fisher’s leadership, the JCC has thrived, significantly growing its membership, Early Childhood School enrollment, and services to the community. Fisher forged strong partnerships with the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati and The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, helping to launch critical programs like Shared Business Services, a full-service finance, accounting and human resources service for Jewish organizations in Cincinnati.
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For the third and final presentation for 2024–2025 Lichter Lecture Series on “Understanding Jews and Judaism Through Ages,” Dr. Elisha Russ-Fishbane will be lecturing on “Old Age as a Paradigm and Ideal in Medieval Jewish Culture.”
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The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati will be hosting its third annual Impact Breakfast on Wednesday, January 22 from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. at the Mayerson JCC. This year Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers, rabbi and cantor at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, will be speaking about resilience and its relationship to community building.
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January 23, 2025 — (JNS) — Released hostages Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher and Romi Gonen were reunited with their families at Sheba Tel Hashomer Medical Center in Ramat Gan on Sunday night after 471 in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip.
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The Mayerson JCC Jewish & Israeli Film Festival is a longstanding celebration of Jewish and Israeli culture, offering a unique opportunity for audiences to connect, reflect, and engage with important stories through film. The festival aims to foster community, inspire empathy, and showcase a wide array of voices and narratives that reflect the diversity of the Jewish and Israeli experiences. It offers a space for reflection, healing, and connection through the universal power of storytelling.
The 2025 festival runs from February 1 to 27 and provides an exciting mix of in-person and virtual screenings, ensuring accessibility for everyone.
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On Friday, January 17-18, the Kollel marked 30 years since their establishment in 1995 with a program of celebratory events.
The anniversary Shabbat, honoring the Kollel’s alumni, was launched by welcoming distinguished Torah scholars from Baltimore, Maryland: Rabbis Boruch Neuberger and Tzvi Berkowitz, both of Ner Israel Rabbinical College, and Rabbi Malkiel Kotler of Beth Medrash Govoha (Lakewood, NJ.)
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January 30, 2025 — (JTA) — Hamas released four hostages on Saturday in a choreographed ceremony in Gaza, making them the second group of captives to go free in the ceasefire that began earlier this week.
The four hostages released on Saturday are Daniela Gilboa, Liri Albag,Naama Levy and Karina Ariev. All are Israeli soldiers.
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On what turned out to be the coldest day of the year, the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati’s 2025 Impact Breakfast brought warmth and inspiration to hundreds of community members gathered in the Amberley Room at the Mayerson JCC. As Ed Kuresman, our 2025 Annual Campaign Cochair, said so perfectly in his opening remarks, “You turned the coldest day of the year into one of the warmest.”
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When invited to create work for the Jerusalem Biennale last year, artist Archie Rand decided to depict the audacity, courage, and resilience of biblical women whose deliberate actions changed the course of Jewish history. His exhibition of 17 vivid paintings evoking their roles as “assets to the Jewish People” is opening March 27th and on view through June 30th at the Skirball Museum at HUC-JIR/Cincinnati, after its American debut at the Heller Museum at HUC-JIR/New York this fall.
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February 6, 2025 — Adath Israel Congregation is pleased to announce the appointment of Rabbi Scott Shafrin as its next Senior Rabbi, succeeding Rabbi Moshe Smolkin. Rabbi Smolkin will be relocating to Los Angeles at the end of June to take on a new role at Milken Community School.
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As JVS Careers marks its 85th year of empowering individuals, businesses and students in our community, we announce a significant leadership transition that both honors our past and looks forward to the future.
After 10 years of dedicated service, Joni Burton has announced her retirement as CEO of JVS Careers. As she steps down from her role, Joni is looking forward to the next chapter of life, relocating to Florida to enjoy a well-earned retirement. Throughout her tenure, Joni has guided the organization through significant growth, program expansion, and deepened community impact. We extend our deepest gratitude for her leadership, passion and dedication.
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Rini Levy, a respected member and long-standing lay leader of Cincinnati’s Jewish community, was honored with the Jewish Federations of North America’s prestigious Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award at the International Lion of Judah Conference in Atlanta.
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February 13, 2025 — On Friday February 7th, a dozen or so Neo-Nazis gathered near Lincoln Heights and Evendale for an unannounced demonstration leading to a large police presence and opposition from local residents.
Hello American Israelites! My name is Eliana Garfunkel, and I am your new columnist! I was born in Hagerstown, MD and moved to Springfield, OH when I was two years old. My late mother, Rabbi Janice Garfunkel, was the rabbi at Temple Shalom in Springfield.
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Dan Beard Council, Scouting America is pleased to announce Mr. Gary Heiman, Chairman and CEO of Standard Textile, as their 2025 Good Scout Award Honoree.
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February 20, 2025 — The Jewish Committee on Scouting, Dan Beard Council, held their annual Scout Shabbat, a community wide Friday night Shabbat service for Jewish Scouts and their families, non-Jewish Scouts and their families interested in learning more about Judaism and the Jewish community of Greater Cincinnati, on Friday, February 7th at the Mayerson JCC. Rabbi Eric Slaton, a member of the JCOS, led the service.
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Peace. Connection. Opportunity. Family. Safety. Each of these is possible for individuals in our community — thanks to you.
This past summer, twenty Israeli teens found a brief respite from the chaos of war. Freed from fear and uncertainty, they kayaked, laughed and connected with new friends at Cincinnati’s Camp Livingston. For eleven days, they experienced what childhood should feel like: joy, peace and belonging. “It was so fun, and I wished it had lasted four more weeks,” said Reem, one of the campers from Netanya.
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Rockwern will host its annual Rockwern Alive! event on Satur- day, February 22, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Fueled Collective on Edwards Road. Rockwern Alive! celebrates Rockwern students and staff as well as the broader Cincinnati community. It is the school’s largest annual fundraiser and your opportunity to support Rockwern’s mission for the next year. This year the celebration will feature dueling pianos, a silent auction and a raffle, as well as tasty nosh and drinks.
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February 27, 2025 — The recent completion of a major building renovation at the Mayerson JCC has ushered in a wave of excitement and new engagement. From an expanded Early Childhood School (ECS) to new and upgraded fitness and childcare spaces, the renovation has brought opportunities for growth, community connection and educational development.
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2025 marks the 175th anniversary of Adath Israel Congregation. Founded in 1850, Adath was originally located at Lodge Alley in downtown Cincinnati and moved to various locations before settling in Amberley Village in 1967. During its illustrious history, Adath has become a fixture in the Cincinnati community.
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Northern Hills Synagogue will host an eight week course centered around death and end of life planning. The Conversation Project is designed to take away the stress and fear around talking about death. Participants will learn how to communicate their end of life wishes to their family members. Those attending will also learn about how to craft a Living Will and will receive advice on that document and other end of live matters from a legal expert.
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March 6, 2025 — On Sunday, February 23, over 200 guests gathered at the Kenwood Country Club for the Cincinnati Hebrew Day School (CHDS) Annual Dinner, an evening brimming with warmth and a sense of community. The event not only marked a significant occasion in the CHDS calendar but also highlighted the deep-rooted values that make the school a pillar of Jewish education.
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As JVS Careers celebrates serving Cincinnati for 85 years, I’m honored to step into the role of Executive Director for this organization deeply committed to empowering individuals through career transitions. With a strong background in career services, leadership and community engagement, I’m excited to lead our mission forward — helping job seekers with any level of employment experience navigate today’s ever-changing job market with confidence and clarity
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Join Hebrew Union College and the Klau Library via Zoom on Tuesday, March 11 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a thrilling lecture by Rabbi Zev Eleff, Ph.D. about Purim play. Dr. Eleff traces the origin of Purim play to Eastern European yeshivas in the 19th century. These satires were intended to convey students’ negative feelings toward yeshiva.
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March 13, 2025 — JKids at the Mayerson JCC is hosting an outdoor living skills program for children aged 5 to 8. Children will learn fire safety, shelter building, nature interpretation, animal ecology, emergency scenarios and more.
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March 20, 2025 — Block’s Bagels of Columbus and Marx Bagels of Blue Ash, are proud to announce a historic collaboration to preserve and carry forward their shared legacy.
Following the recent passing of Hal Block and the closure of Block’s Bagels on March 2, 2025, Marx Bagels will take the helm of the beloved East Side institution, ensuring its rich tradition lives on. A swift mini-renovation of the Columbus location is underway, with plans to reopen in early April under the Marx Bagels banner. The transition will blend Block’s cherished nostalgia with Marx Bagels’ commitment to an authentic kosher bagel experience, delighting longtime fans and welcoming new customers.
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On Thursday, March 20, Hebrew Union College will celebrate Founders’ Day. Intended to honor the original vision of founders Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise and Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, Founders’ Day recognizes alumni who are receiving honorary degrees after 25 years of service to the Jewish community.
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Between March 10 and May 4 of 2025, American Jews can vote for their delegates for the 39th World Zionist Congress set to convene in Jerusalem in October 2025. The World Zionist Congress (WZC) was founded to promote Zionism by Theodor Herzl in 1897. Today, the WZC strives to strengthen Jewish identity and connect the global Jewish population to the land of Israel through education, advocacy and community outreach.
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March 27, 2025 — Adath Israel Sisterhood will honor Heidi Weisman during their annual Torah Fund reception in Adath Israel’s Lerner.Fisher Hall on Sunday, March 30th at 7 p.m. Sisterhood President Lisa Kadosh said, “Heidi is a pillar of leadership and dedication in the Cincinnati Jewish community. We are proud to recognize her as this year’s Torah Fund honoree, a prestigious nomination that reflects exceptional dedication, leadership and service. This honor is awarded to individuals who embody the values of the Torah Fund, which supports the education of future Jewish leaders, rabbis and scholars. Heidi’s unwavering commitment to Jewish life within Adath Israel Sisterhood, Adath Israel Congregation and across the broader Women’s League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ) and Central Great Lakes Region (CGLR), makes her a fitting and deserving recipient of this recognition.”
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Elaine Trabout’s journey from Cincinnati to Washington state and back again is a story of resilience and finding community when it’s needed most. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Elaine left at age 29 to build her family and career. She had an illustrious career teaching at a Jewish day school in a pre-school classroom. After spending years in Washington, she returned to her hometown two years ago to care for her 94-year-old mother, while her husband and children remain at their home.
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On Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Seasons Retirement Community, the Association for Aging Professionals held its annual awards and scholarship event, celebrating excellence in the field of aging. Rachel Hodesh, President of Senior LifeCare Consultants, was recognized as the 2024 Outstanding Leader in the Field of Aging.
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April 3, 2025 — Social action is more than a commitment at Wise Temple; it is part of the fabric of the congregation. Through acts of service in support of local non-profit organizations, congregants work together to make a meaningful difference for those in need in the community. It is through the dedication of our temple’s lay leaders that the congregation’s efforts in these areas are so impactful year after year.
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Archie Rand’s “The Seventeen: Iron Flock” exhibit opened at the Cincinnati Skirball Museum on the Hebrew Union College campus on Thursday, March 27. Samantha Baskind, Distinguished Professor of Art History at Cleveland State University, describes Rand’s newest work as “a multi-canvas mural depicting seventeen biblical women that encourages conversation about the diverse roles women play in Jewish history and religion.” According to the gallery catalogue, Rand describes his work as “a grouping of Jewish heroes who are women, appearing in an underreported story that should have a painted monument sampling the collective.”
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April 10, 2025 — DUNSKER, Ellen, age 85, passed away March 26, 2025, beloved wife of Dr. Stewart Dunsker, loving mother of Shiela (Randall) Yessenow, dear grandmother of Grant Yessenow, caring sister of Ralph (Susan) Treiman of Los Angeles, CA.
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The Jewish Home of Cincinnati funds numerous vital programs across the city, providing support and enrichment for older adults in the Jewish community. Since early 2024, the Klau Library has been honored to receive one of these grants, allowing us to offer a diverse range of programs showcasing rare books and manuscripts from our world-renowned collections. This initiative, called “Shoresh — Hebrew for “root” — helps participants deepen their connection to their Jewish heritage.
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The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati’s Helping on Chai women’s philanthropy program will center on the Freestore Foodbank on Thursday, April 17, from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. The Helping on Chai group meets once a month to do charitable work and community outreach.
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April 17, 2025 — “Word is out, and we served a record number of people last year,” said Jewish Family Service CEO Liz Vogel, speaking at Jewish Family Service’s Annual Meeting. “Internally, we called it our ‘year of excellence’ as we focused on meeting demand with exceptional quality.”
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The Cincinnati Jewish community will come together this month to commemorate what many call “the Yoms (days),” or the modern Israeli holidays. After the tragic events of October 7, 2023, and the ongoing war and continued holding of the hostages, the need for solidarity and remembrance feels even more important this year. Over the course of about a week, the community will remember those lost during the Holocaust and subsequent wars and celebrate the beacon of hope and strength that Israel continues to be.
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April 24, 2025 — Calling all Moms! If you are Jewish, have kids living at home who are younger than eighteen and live within a thirty-minute drive of Cincinnati, a seven-day trip to Israel can be yours for only a nominal amount! This highly subsidized trip is being offered by Cincinnati Jewish Experience (CJX) — a partner agency of MOMentum Unlimited — and by the Israel Ministry for Diaspora Affairs.
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Temple Sholom of Cincinnati is entering its seventy-first year with new rabbinic leadership on the bima, continuing to improve its unique combination of Judaism and advocacy. The congregation will joyfully install Rabbi Ari Jun as their fifth rabbi during the weekend of May 2.
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“My wife Gabrielle and I typically deliver [Passover food] to immigrants from the former Soviet Union and to Holocaust survivors,” said volunteer and Jewish Family Service (JFS) board member Eddie Rivin. “They look forward to seeing us every year and often invite us to sit down and catch up.”
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May 1, 2025 — From a small group of students performing short plays to a full- scale musical production, Theatre at the J has quickly become one of the most exciting and fast-growing programs at the Mayerson JCC. This spring, the program is set to take another magical leap forward with its upcoming May production of Disney’s Frozen JR.
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Jewish Family Service (JFS) is on a roll. After recently becoming the only program in Ohio to win a grant from the national Alzheimer’s Foundation for its new Adult Day Services, JFS just won another honor. On March 20, its K’vod Connect program won the Tristate Association for Professionals in Aging’s Outstanding Project in the Field of Aging Award.
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Join the Mayerson JCC and the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati for a vibrant community celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. This family-friendly event will include a wide variety of activities for all ages, spotlighting creative artists, meaningful tributes and a community fair featuring local organizations.
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May 8, 2025 — Rabbi Ari Jun was installed as Senior Rabbi at Temple Sholom in a two day celebration that took place May 2nd and 3rd.
Jun, whose grandparents, Ida and Irv Schwartz, were charter members of Temple Sholom at its 1954 founding, has previously served as Assistant Rabbi at Temple Beth Or in Dayton as well as Director of the JCRC.
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Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati is pleased to invite the entire Jewish Community to rededicate now-restored Jewish cemeteries which were vandalized last summer in the Covedale neighborhood. It is hoped that families affected by the desecration and others will find closure in the event and learn about the cemeteries’ history.
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This year’s Yom Ha’Atzmaut event was family friendly as promised. Children and crafts defined this year’s celebration at the JCC, which took place on May 1.
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May 15, 2025 — As Jewish National Fund-USA’s inaugural Ambassador to Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-JNF (KKL-JNF), I am working to bring the people of Israel and our Jewish Diaspora together to rebuild communities in Israel’s north and south. Although we are independent organizations, I believe we are setting an example of what Jewish unity looks like as we emerge from one of our darkest hours.
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Lisa Cook of the Cincinnati Jewish Experience (CJX) recently led a group of twenty-eight on a journey through Poland. With four concentration camps and numerous mass graves on the agenda, one could honestly say it was an intense eight days. And yet, the comments on the trip’s evaluation are full of superlatives.
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Temple Sholom’s new series, Judaism 201, walks intermediate learners through various components of Judaism.
Rabbi Ari Jun, Temple Sholom’s newly installed rabbi, will walk through topics such as Halakhah, Jewish thought, Jewish practice, Zionism and Jewish identity.
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May 22, 2025 — The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, an organization dedicated to strengthening Jewish life in the greater Cincinnati area, today announced increased efforts focused on youth mental health in the Cincinnati Jewish community. A new grant to Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Cincinnati will support more mental health clinicians in the community, a new public awareness campaign, more youth and families being supported, Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training for professionals and more.
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As Nancy and Ray Warren arranged the final chairs and adjusted the lighting, their anticipation was mixed with nervous excitement. They had hosted gatherings before, but this was different. They were welcoming friends, neighbors and new faces into their living room to discuss something profoundly important and deeply personal: the war in Israel. The air was filled with curiosity, excitement and a touch of anxiety about the conversations to come.
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“I felt unanchored and lost. It became too much to carry my own laundry,” said Frances [a pseudonym to protect privacy], remembering.
It was an awful time in her life: first, her husband had passed after a long illness, with Frances nursing him for the final two years. Then she had left her Indianapolis home and moved to Cincinnati to live with her son since he wanted to help her — however within a month of her arrival, her son was diagnosed with terminal cancer. As she had done with her husband, she lovingly cared for him until his passing, seven months later. Through it all, her own Parkinson’s disease was worsening.
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May 29, 2025 — On May 9th, the Amberley Village police station began a multi-day goat chase upon receiving a call regarding three loose goats.
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Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati (JCGC) invites the Cincinnati Jewish community to celebrate in the rededication of the newly restored cemeteries at the Covedale complex.
Shock and horror rippled through the Cincinnati community as it was discovered that between June 25 and July 1, 2024, 176 gravestones at two Cincinnati Jewish cemeteries had been overturned. The vandalism drew national outrage, with comments coming from the highest levels in Washington D.C.
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On Sunday, June 8th, Cincinnati Hadassah will host its 9th annual “Jon Boskind Memorial” Mahjong Tournament from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The location of the tournament will be made known upon registration.
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June 5, 2025 — The energy in the room was buzzing. Over 125 Jewish professionals gathered at MadTree Brewing in Blue Ash for the JVS Careers Annual Meeting and Jewish Business Network (JBN) Cincinnati event, an evening that celebrated community, career impact, and the growing strength of professional connection within the Jewish business community.
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Four students from Shelanu, Cincinnati Supplementary School took First Place in the Cardozo Division of the 2025 Maimonides Moot Court Competition held in Tarrytown, New York this spring. Avi Schneider, a senior at Wyoming High School and a member of Valley Temple, Ariana Wright, a junior who is home schooled and a member of Rockdale Temple, Miles Spieler, a senior at Walnut Hills High School and a member of Valley Temple and Mitchell Mazer, a junior at Sycamore High School and a member of Isaac Mayer Wise Temple, competed against both Jewish day school teams and a national team fielded by BBYO.
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The J Classic, JCC’s largest annual fundraiser, turns 30 this year! While bringing the community together, the J Classic also ensures the continued effectiveness of important services and programs like Meals on Wheels, the Early Childhood School, Camp at the J and more.
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June 12, 2025 — At our 129th Annual Meeting on May 21, the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati honored the individuals who make Jewish life stronger — those who lead with humility, step up in pivotal moments and inspire through consistent action. The evening recognized four remark- able community members whose impact continues to ripple across Cincinnati, reminding us that real change begins with people who care deeply and show up for others.
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Andrea Baron remembers stepping into Halom House for the first time. She had driven past it countless times but had never seen inside. Walking through the home, she met residents, admired their artwork and saw first-hand how this space gave adults with disabilities not just a place to live, but a place to thrive. That moment stuck with her.
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The Mayerson JCC 60 & Better Center will be offering a workshop for members who are looking to reinvent themselves. The talk, to be held on Wednesday, June 25, from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. at the J, will feature local author and American Israelite columnist Lorie Kleiner Eckert. Eckert, who has published five books and maintains several blogs, will discuss with attendees the notion of reinventing oneself after a major life change.
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June 19, 2025 — Last week, the Workum Summer Internship program began and welcomed two very special guests: Roger (Workum) and Janet Ach, descendants of the family for whom the program is named. The couple joined this year’s cohort of college Workum Interns to share a powerful family story, one that spans continents, generations and unimaginable loss. And, to reflect on the century-old legacy that continues to impact Jewish life in Cincinnati today.
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On Sunday, June 1, seventeen Jewish high school students from across Greater Cincinnati gathered at Summit Park for AJC’s Leaders for Tomorrow (LFT) Accelerator — a half-day Jewish advocacy leadership workshop hosted by the AJC Cincinnati regional office.
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One hundred and seventy-six. That’s how many gravesites were vandalized at the Beth Hamedrash Haggadol and the Tifereth Israel cemeteries in the Covedale complex in June 2024. This week, on June 8, 2025, after a year of dedicated hard work from Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati (JCGC) and many wonderful volunteers and donors from across the country and world, nearly all of those 176 grave sites have been restored, with the final part of the restoration to be complete by the end of summer.
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June 26, 2025 — What does forty years of service look like in rabbinic terms? In the case of Rabbi Lewis Kamrass at Isaac M. Wise Temple, it looks something like 2,200 sermons, 200 conversions, 1,365 adult learning classes, 150 rabbinic interns, 1,250 b’nai mitzvah, 400 baby namings & brisses, 15 congregational trips, 1,144 teens confirmed and 1,050 weddings and funerals.
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Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati is proud to announce that Anita and Hank Schneider, lead donors to JCGC’s 2023-24 capital giving campaign, were celebrated June 12 as winners of the Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council’s “Voices of Giving” Award.
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A delegation of twelve passion- ate Cincinnatians has returned from a transformative volunteer mission to Israel, organized by Jewish National Fund-USA.
From May 25-29, 2025, the delegation joined more than 150 volunteers from across the U.S. to deliver hands-on support and solidarity to Israeli communities still recovering from the traumatic October 7 attacks
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July 3, 2025 — Each year, the International March of the Living brings thousands of participants from around the world to Poland and Israel for a powerful journey through Holocaust history and a call to action against hatred and indifference. Since 1988, more than 300,000 individuals have marched from Auschwitz to Birkenau on Yom Hashoah. With the unique and urgent presence of Holocaust survivors, the program offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn firsthand from those who lived through it.
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Some acts of generosity feel like a warm hand on your shoulder. That’s the kind of legacy Patsy Kohn is building in memory of her husband Barry z”l. Through an endowed gift made through the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, Patsy is supporting Meals on Wheels at the Mayerson JCC — a program that delivers not only hot kosher meals, but something even more essential: human connection.
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JVS Careers (JVSC) is excited to announce the integration of Transfr, a cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) technology, into its suite of career services. This immersive platform marks a significant step forward in how JVSC empowers individuals of all backgrounds to discover and pursue meaningful career pathways while incorporating fresh technology.
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July 10, 2025 — This summer marks a significant milestone: the Cincinnati Community Kollel is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Over the past three decades, the Kollel has elevated the presence and appreciation of Torah study across the broader Jewish community and has played a pivotal role in shaping the Orthodox Jewish landscape of Cincinnati.
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The Mayerson JCC announces Chief Programming Officer Holly Wolfson as its next Chief Executive Officer. Wolfson will succeed Marc Fisher, who has served as CEO for 13 years and will retire in late 2025. She will assume this position on October 1 and Fisher will stay on for a transition period.
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JVS Careers is proud to announce that 43 local students have been awarded more than $220,000 in scholarship awards this year to support their college and university education. These scholarships are made possible through the vision and generosity of Gus H. & Cecile B. Hilb Scholarship Fund, Yetta & Manus Hilb Endowment Fund, Guthman Fund, Max & Bertha Saidel Scholarship, Hyman & Jean Graff Scholarship, Frederick Weiss Scholarship, Anne & George Heldman Family Scholarship who endowed funds to help future generations pursue their academic and professional dreams.
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July 17, 2025 — For Sara and Kai Bitter and their sons, summer camp is more than just a yearly tradition; it’s a mission-driven experience that fosters inclusivity and belonging. The family, which includes 20-year-old Austin and his younger brother, Jasper, 14, has found a supportive community at Camp at the J, where children of all abilities come together for a fun summer experience.
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Diana’s room is all pink. It’s her favorite color. A pink cowboy hat sits neatly on her chair. She loves to laugh and get her nails painted. She loves to play games and spend time with her niece. But most of all, she loves the people who surround her at Halom House.
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Jewish Federation of Cincinnati is pleased to announce that Chandler Waite has been named the new Director of its Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), the public affairs and advocacy arm of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. JCRC builds trusted civic partnerships, combats antisemitism and advances Jewish values in the public sphere.
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July 24, 2025 — Hebrew Union College recently announced the Elijah Fellowship, a new initiative intended to cultivate the spiritual lives of aspiring Jewish leaders.
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Houses of worship are meant to be sanctuaries. But today, they are under threat. In 2023, the FBI recorded 2,699 hate crimes against religious communities. More than half targeted Jewish institutions. Christians were the second most targeted group (FBI Hate Crime Statistics, 2023).
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Intended to promote peace in the Middle East, the Abraham Accords are particularly relevant given the October 7th attacks.
The Cincinnati Coalition for Israel is hosting Joy Malka Rothenberg, Esq., an international lawyer in the United States and in Israel, to discuss the history and afterlife of The Abraham Accords.
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July 31, 2025 — When Barry Kogan walks into Jewish Family Services’ Adult Day Services (ADS), a lightness follows him. He is quick with a joke, delighted by a stack of books and finds wonder in every detail — his world, as he describes, is “brought to you again and again by the people you meet, the books you see, the pictures you see. And it makes life worthwhile.”
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Akiva Epstein, who grew up playing JCC baseball, will be playing for the Israel National Men’s Team in the European Baseball Championships this upcoming September in the Netherlands. This is a 16-team tournament that includes many European nations (Netherlands, UK, France, Italy, Sweden, Germany, etc.) and Israel. The top two teams get a pass to play in the Olympics. On the upcoming championship game, Epstein said, “We’re all really excited to represent Israel baseball the best way we can.”
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August 7, 2025 — The Mayerson JCC has added a powerful new tool to its fitness floor: Keiser’s state-of-the-art pneumatic resistance training equipment. Known for its cutting-edge technology and smooth, joint-friendly design, Keiser is transforming the way members from young athletes to older adults train and build strength.
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On Sunday, August 24 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Northern Hills Synagogue will host the Jewish Soul Trio as they offer a special performance to celebrate singer-songwriter Debbie Friedman.
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August 14, 2025 — After 14 years with JVS Careers, Dedra Perlmutter has been elevated to Associate Director of JVS Careers. A milestone that reflects her unwavering commitment to the organization, her team and the individuals and families who rely on JVS Careers for guidance, support and opportunity.
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Wise Temple is hosting a Back to School Shabarbecue. This event is hosted by Wise Temple’s Young Family Involvement (YoFI) initiative, which aims to create meaningful Jewish connections between young families with children under five. The barbecue will take place on Saturday, August 23 at 10:30 a.m. after the YoFI Shababa service, an interactive and sweet morning service accompanied by guitar and multiple generations.
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August 21, 2025 — On Saturday, September 13, between 7 and 10 p.m., the Mayerson JCC will be hosting Antonia Lasser to lead a discussion on the power and purpose of Jewish communal singing. Lassar is a Los Angeles-based comedian best known for her hit show, “The Best Jew.”
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August 28, 2025 — When Ron and Naama first arrived in Cincinnati, nothing quite prepared them for the oversized grocery stores, the vast suburban streets or the warm embraces of strangers who would soon feel like family. The two teens are part of the Chaverim M’Israel program — Israel’s young emissary initiative that sends recent high school graduates around the world for a year of volunteer service before they begin mandatory IDF service. Known elsewhere as Shinshinim, they are called Chaverim (friends) in Cincinnati.
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When you drive along the riverfront, stadiums, bridges and the historic panorama grab your attention. What you do not expect is anti-semitic slurs emblazoned on a structure the city knows and loves.
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On Sunday, August 31, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Adath Israel will be hosting a private screening of the 2024 comedy film, “Bad Shabbos.” There will be a charge for admission, and the name and address of the theater will provided in the confirmation email upon RSVP.
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September 4, 2025 — For over a century, the Workum Fund has fostered the future of young, Jewish Professionals in Cincinnati. Administered By JVS Careers with the support of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, each summer, the Workum Internship Program places college students in professional roles across local Jewish organizations, offering them hands-on experience in their chosen fields while strengthening the Cincinnati community they serve.
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Aligned with the Jewish tradition that requires communities to prioritize education for its children as a fundamental responsibility, the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati today announced new grants to Rockwern Academy and Cincinnati Hebrew Day School (CHDS). These grants continue the Foundation’s decades-long investments in local Jewish day schools, reflecting its view that day schools offer a Jewish education that is unparalleled in depth and breadth among education alternatives.
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Talking with teens doesn’t have to be complicated, says Leah Marcus, Jewish Family Service’s Director of Youth Mental Health Services. “The Youth Mental Health First Aid class shows that you don’t need special lingo or to be a professional to help a young person who’s struggling. It’s really about being open, listening and engaging in a supportive way. We’ve provided this training at least three times a year for the past three years, and it’s been very appreciated.”
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September 11, 2025 — November 9th, 1938, Kristallnacht, Night of Broken Glass, is a moment in time Paul Heiman will never forget. Nazis burned Jewish homes and businesses, committed countless acts of violence and arrested 30,000 Jewish men, confining them in concentration camps. Paul Heiman will never forget it because he was there. And because one of those men was Charles Heiman, his father. The Nazis imprisoned Charles in Dachau, while 11-year-old Paul was left at home because he was too young to be taken.
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NEW YORK, NY — At its recent 2025 Founders Dinner in Miami, members and supporters of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, pledged $23 million for its Jerusalem medical center, the Hadassah Medical Organization, and programs in Israel and the United States. Philanthropists Ernest and Evelyn Rady, Eva Cantor and Jane Winer made multimillion-dollar pledges worth a combined $18 million.
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On Monday, September 15, between 6 and 8 p.m., the Mayerson JCC will be hosting a speaking event covering any questions one might have about IEPs, 504 plans, extended year services or daily school services. The featured speaker of the educational event is Carla Loon, Esq.
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