The Jewish community in Ohio stands at a critical juncture. Last week, the Ohio Senate took a historic step forward by passing Senate Bill 87 (SB 87), the Antisemitism Bill. While this victory is worth celebrating, the finish line is still ahead of us. To ensure this bill becomes law, we must now turn our full attention to the Ohio House of Representatives.
The time to act is now. To date, 37 US States and scores of countries throughout the world adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism (“IHRA”) and incorporated it into law. Ohio is one of 13 states that lag way behind the national and international trends to identify and deter crimes motivated by antisemitic intent.
There is nationwide progress to establish remedies addressing rising hatred faced in local Jewish communities since October 7. Combat Antisemitism Movement facilitated the advancement of this important legislation in three states in the past month to remedy rising hatred. In Iowa, the House and Senate Education Committees passed HSB 646/ SSB 3095 as a measure to require state public schools, universities and colleges to issue annual reports of antisemitic incidents, codifying an executive order by Governor Kim Reynolds. The Combat Antisemitism Movement praised Governor Kim Reynolds for her leadership in championing a vital legislation last month. HSB 646/ SSB 3095 helps to track antisemitic incidents, create transparency and investigate crimes associated with an antisemitic motive. The Wisconsin State Assembly also approved AB 446 which helps define, punish and deter antisemitic crimes.
The time for all humane citizens within Ohio to act to prevent future crimes motivated by antisemitism is now. Last week, a major antisemitic act occurred in Michigan at the Reform synagogue of Temple Israel. A 41-year-old man named Ayman Mohamad Ghazali rammed his truck into the synagogue during broad daylight at 12:30 p.m. on March 12. He drove into the building and down a hallway armed with a rifle, commercial grade fireworks and gasoline. There were more than 100 children and staff attached to the preschool in the building when the crime occurred. The security guards at the synagogue killed the suspect and prevented greater harm to the innocent children and staff that populated the building at that time.
Even though the perpetrator of the crime was killed by the vigilant security guard, the FBI is cooperating with local police enforcement authorities to identify and penalize people associated with this and other crimes who seek to act in a violent manner against the Jewish community. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer called the incident “antisemitism at its absolute worst” and “hate, plain and simple.”
Michigan, like Ohio, continues to lag behind the national and international trends of adopting an antisemitism law. Michigan and Ohio had recent legislative efforts to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism into state law to identify and bar discrimination, but there has not been enough support to create it into state law. Michigan is even more advanced than Ohio in that the Michigan State Board of Education passed a resolution that “embraces” the IHRA definition for teaching, but it is not a state law.
In Ohio, the virulent antisemitism that motivated the desecration of graves throughout the state since October 7 has not been identified and punished. The criminals who vandalized, destroyed and painted swastikas on the graves of our beloved ancestors have not been found and punished. Hopefully, the adoption of the widely accepted antisemitism law will help punish and prevent crimes of this nature in the future. The desecration and vandalization of graveyards throughout the state is only one example of the growing antisemitism in Ohio. According to the Ohio Capital Journal, antisemitism in Ohio is at historically elevated levels in 2025 and 2026.
The clock is ticking
The State of Ohio is currently “one-third” of the way through the necessary process. For SB 87 to reach the desk of Governor Mike DeWine, it must pass through the House Judiciary Committee and receive a favorable vote on the House floor as the next step forward.
Timing is everything. We are urging the House to act by the end of March. Once the calendar turns, the legislative window narrows significantly as representatives begin campaigning for the upcoming elections. Furthermore, Governor DeWine is set to leave office at the end of this year; and it is imperative for us to secure his signature on this permanent law before his term expires.
Why this matters
The Jewish community in Ohio consists of approximately 1.5% of the state’s total population. This is a smaller percentage of the population than the national average. We cannot afford to be silent. With crimes against Jewish people rising consistently, Ohio needs a clear legal framework to stop it now.
If SB 87 passes the House floor, it will be signed by Governor DeWine, and his existing executive order regarding antisemitism will finally be codified into permanent state law.
Our humane and empathetic Christian advocates have been remarkably supportive. Christians United for Israel has been outstanding in their iron clad support of the Cincinnati Coalition for Israel’s work. According to our Christian board member, Ron Maag, “The time to act is now.” According to Steve Frank, former mayor of Covington, “Let’s get it done.”
Take action: Call Speaker Matt Huffman
We are calling on every concerned, humane citizen to be an “upstander.” Your voice is the most powerful tool we have. Please contact Speaker of the House Matt Huffman and members of the Judiciary Committee to urge them to move SB 87 to the floor for a vote by Tuesday, March 24 so your actions can be most impactful. To express your support, we urge you to call any of the key contacts to support SB 87 so that Ohio finally establishes this necessary law. We especially encourage any victims of antisemitism or family members whose beloved family members graves were desecrated to contact local representatives and share your personal experience of being a victim of antisemitism within the State of Ohio since October 7.
Key contacts to call today:
– Matt Huffman (Speaker of the House). 614-466-6344
– Jim Thomas (Judiciary Chairman). 614-466-8030
– D.J. Swearingen (Vice Chair). 614-644-6011
– Eric Synberg (Ranking Member). 614-644-5079
