Dear Editor,
In response to the Cincinnati Coalition for Israel’s letter published in the Israelite on July 27, we wish to address your concerns and share our perspective.
We too are greatly concerned about the current uptick in antisemitism and anti-Zionism. To combat such hate, we believe it is more imperative than ever to stay in relationship with those with whom we disagree, even though doing so now is especially challenging.
Our relationship with Pride exemplifies this approach. Jewish Cincinnati has joined Cincinnati Pride for decades — dating back to when it was just a small event at Fountain Square. By participating, we demonstrate our commitment to support marginalized communities (including LGBTQIA+ Jews) and stand up to hate. Still, the choice of whether to continue participating in Pride this year was complicated.
To chart a path forward, the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati convened Cincinnati Jewish leadership including its Jewish Community Relations Council, the Mayerson JCC, congregational leaders, and others, and collectively decided on a Pride Parade participation plan that would center around community safety. The specific threats and harassment faced by Jewish leaders on the Cincinnati Pride Board factored into our planning; however, our decision became clear:
First, we would collaborate with the Cincinnati Pride Board of Directors to ensure they’d do better in the future. Engaging with diverse groups, even those with differing views, is crucial to our community’s work — because it can transform temporary adversaries into lasting allies. Dialogue and understanding foster mutual respect and combat hate more effectively than isolation.
Second, we would march at Pride to support our LGBTQIA+ community. We cautioned community members to be aware of potential risks, advising them to be prepared for possible uncomfortable situations and verbal harassment. This was meant to ensure everyone could make informed decisions about their participation. But, in our estimation, the only thing worse than feeling abandoned or betrayed by Cincinnati Pride would be us, in turn, abandoning our own LGBTQIA+ allies. We chose not to do that.
Third, and perhaps most importantly, we decided we would show up on June 22 to make clear that antisemitic behavior and actors could not drive us out of public spaces. Our support for Israel remains unwavering — and we did not “de-Judaize” ourselves in order to join Pride. We continue to advocate for and educate our community on the importance of standing with Israel, publicly, especially in times of crisis. Participating in Pride and other public events helps us maintain visibility and advocate effectively.
We recognize and respect the diversity of opinions on how to best address antisemitism and support Israel. This rich tapestry of communal engagement only strengthens Jewish Cincinnati. With that in mind, here’s our promise to those who may disagree: Join us around the table, and lend your voice to the process. Even in disagreement, we care what you think, and you will always be welcome.
Together, we can stand united against antisemitism and support both our Jewish and LGBTQIA+ communities.
Danielle V. Minson,
CEO, Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH