Potential Closure of the Judaic Studies Program at the University of Cincinnati (A Letter to UC’s President and Provost)

Dear President Pinto and Provost Weidner,

It has come to our attention that as a result of Senate Bill 1, the Judaic Studies program at the University of Cincinnati faces elimination. The Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis wants to go on record that we unequivocally consider the Department of Judaic Studies a crucial program in our community, and we oppose the elimination of the Judaic Studies program.

As leaders of the Jewish community, we have long been backers of the Department of Judaic Studies because we rely on its faculty and students to support the activities of our organizations. Our constituencies do not simply benefit from the public programming sponsored by the Department. We are especially committed to Jewish learning at the highest possible level, and we regularly utilize the faculty as scholars-in-residence and hire the students as teachers and youth workers.

We are also passionately committed to creating a flourishing Jewish community in Cincinnati. This has become more challenging with the recent closures at Hebrew Union College. The Department of Judaic Studies is the only local program in higher education in Jewish Studies remaining in our community and is key to the resilience of Jewish life in Cincinnati. Many of our members are contacted by potential faculty and students interested in coming to the University of Cincinnati and we want to be able to honestly say that the University and State of Ohio fully supports Jewish life in our city.

Respectfully,

The Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis

On the Detention of Imam Ayman Soliman

July 11, 2025 — Tamuz 15, 5785

We, the undersigned members of the Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis, are alarmed by the unjust detention of Imam Ayman Soliman.

Many of us personally know and have worked with Imam Soliman. For years, he has been a model member of and leader in Cincinnati’s faith community. Recognizing the complexity of immigration cases, we affirm that Imam Soliman represents precisely the type of person we want to remain in Cincinnati: Compassionate, intelligent, and collegial.

Imam Soliman came to the United States as a refugee, fleeing violence in Egypt. The Jewish tradition reminds us that we too were once strangers, and that consequently, it is our duty to take care of the foreigner in our midst. Sadly, we are living through a moment of great intolerance toward immigrants. Our religious convictions require that we speak up for these individuals. They deserve respect, dignity, and–of course–due process.

In our tradition, we also regularly pray for the freeing of captives.  We demand that Imam Soliman be freed and restored to our community.

___

Rabbi Bruce Adler

Rabbi Donna Adler

Rabbi George (Gershom) Barnard

Rabbi Robert B Barr

Rabbi Laura Baum

Rabbi Erin Binder | Associate Rabbi & Educator, Rockdale Temple

Rabbi Noah Ferro | Spiritual Leader, Northern Hills Synagogue

Rabbi Zachary Goodman | Associate Rabbi, Isaac M. Wise Temple

Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch

Rabbi Neil Hirsch | Senior Rabbi, Wise Temple

Rabbi Shena Potter Jaffee

Rabbi Ari Jun | Senior Rabbi, Temple Sholom

Rabbi Meredith Kahan | Senior Rabbi, Rockdale Temple

Rabbi Lewis Kamrass | Rabbi Emeritus, Isaac M. Wise Temple

Rabbi Sandford Kopnick

Rabbi Matthew Kraus

Rabbi Shirah Kraus

Rabbi Jennifer J. G. Lewis

Rabbi Margaret J Meyer

Rabbi Jonathan Perlman

Rabbi Samantha Schapera | Associate Rabbi, Northern Hills Synagogue

Rabbi Julie Schwartz

Rabbi Scott Shafrin | Senior Rabbi, Adath Israel Congregation

Rabbi Elena Stein

Rabbi Simon Stratford

Rabbi Miriam Terlinchamp | Executive Director, Judaism Unbound

Rabbi Gerry Walter | Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Sholom

Rabbi Lauren Werber | Senior Rabbi, Congregation Beth Adam

Rabbi Edie Yakutis | Temple Beth El, Muncie, Indiana

Rabbi Dr. Gary P. Zola | Executive Director Emeritus, The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish & Professor Emeritus at Hebrew Union College

Rabbi Austin Zoot | Rabbi Educator, The Valley Temple

Silencing Jews for Supporting Israel Undermines True Dialogue

April 3, 2025 — Nissan 5, 5785

Twenty-five hundred years ago, the Biblical Psalmist lamented, "If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither; let my tongue stick to my palate." For the past 2,000 years, Jews worldwide have prayed facing Jerusalem. Soon, Jews worldwide will celebrate Passover, and after our seder meal, we will repeat the dream our people have shared from generation to generation: "Next Year in Jerusalem!"

Jews (and others) may debate whether Israel lives up to its pre-statehood aspirations or the country’s own Declaration of Independence. Similarly, as Americans, we may argue whether our own country lives up to its foundational documents. Such critical thinking is good and vital for any democracy. Nevertheless, we Americans still maintain a profound connection to the United States. Similarly, the overwhelming majority of the world’s Jewish community maintains an intimate ethnic and religious connection to Israel regardless of their varying views on the actions of the Israeli government.

The Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis is a local group of rabbis who meet to discuss Jewish matters, support one another, and promote the well-being of our greater Cincinnati community. We believe that Israel has the right to exist. Connection with and support for the existence of Israel does not in any way mean that a person is a proponent of the killing and displacement of thousands of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

In particular, Rabbi Ari Jun is a bridge-builder who consistently works for peace and dialogue, as our Cincinnati interfaith community knows. He also cares for Israel. He feels connected to the country and its people.

These are our views as well. We care about Israel, and we care about understanding and dialogue. If such convictions warranted the rejection of Rabbi Jun as a speaker at an anti-Nazi rally on March 9, then it is clear that a large majority of American Jews would also have been silenced by the organizers of the March 9 rally.

More and more often, Jews are being excluded from arenas of public discourse simply because they believe Israel should exist. We reject indiscriminate calls against Jews for holding a connection to Israel.

Instead, in this moment of division, we call for unity, moderation and dialogue. Rather than rejecting the majority of the Jewish community, let us use this moment to understand our diverse community and create dialogue. Dialogue is crucial when differences of opinion arise because we must, together, fight against hate in our community.

As the Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis, we seek partners who will meet us where we are, as we, too, meet them where they are.

We pray for a lasting peace for all the inhabitants of Gaza, Israel and the West Bank. We pray for love and the rejection of hate in our local community. And we pray all will open their hearts to dialogue, so we can work together to build community.

Synagogue Hostage Situation a Sad, Modern Reality

January 19, 2022 — Shevat 17, 5782

To our fellow Greater Cincinnatians,

We, the Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis, are profoundly disturbed by the hostage situation that unfolded over multiple hours of the Sabbath in the synagogue of Congregation Beth Israel of Colleyville, Texas, on Saturday.

For the third time in recent American Jewish history, we are faced with the disruption of Shabbat morning worship by an act of terror. We add our expression of gratitude to the FBI for their contribution to freeing the captives and to our colleague, Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, who was ordained here in Cincinnati, and who demonstrated courageous leadership in the face of the unimaginable.

To our Cincinnati Jewish community, your rabbis are here to process this trauma and move forward together.

We are keenly aware of the symbolism of antisemitism that is by this having taken place at a house of Jewish worship. We urge our neighbors and fellow people of humanity to condemn with us this ancient and yet sadly modern reality. We are all vulnerable when one of us is vulnerable.

Also, we urge our community and all our allies to resist and condemn any anti-Muslim rhetoric that is floating in the atmosphere around us. We will not perpetuate hatred in any arena, at any time.

All of our religious siblings are hurting too, knowing that this could have been their community of faith.

On this Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, we renew our commitment to Dr. King's own words of wisdom: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Transgender Community: We Love You Exactly How You Are

August 19, 2017 — Av 27, 5777

We, the Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis, serving the vast majority of Cincinnati Jewish congregations, have a message to the trans community, and in particular to trans youth in Cincinnati:

We love you. We love you exactly how you are. You are perfect, and you are beautiful, and we are so so sorry for anyone who has ever told you that they, or God, feel otherwise.

We are here for you, whether you are Jewish or not.

For those of us who aren’t a part of the trans community, who come to this from a place of privilege, the terrible truth is that almost half of all trans kids try to kill themselves before they are 25. This isn’t a political issue; the bullies aren’t just in Washington. They are parents, neighbors, clergy and teachers, all with the same message to trans kids: there is something wrong with you.

This is why we, as religious leaders, feel the pressing need to loudly declare that there is a Divine Spark within each and every one of us that cannot be beaten or tweeted out of existence.

It is the sacred obligation of every person of conscience to be a voice of acceptance and love. When we are with our friends, when we are at our places of worship, and most importantly when we are around kids, we must loudly proclaim that trans rights are human rights, that trans lives matter, and that trans people belong in our communities. We must remember that in almost every room we walk into, there are trans people there; the only question is whether they feel comfortable being themselves around us, or not.

In rabbinic tradition, there is no value that is more important than that of Kavod HaBriyot, the dignity and honor that is due to each and every human being. Our Torah teaches that every single one of us, no matter what our bodies look like, how we dress, how we speak, or what we believe, is a perfect Image of God, a tzelem Elohim. And you, our trans community, are holy, and beautiful, and of infinite value.

History Will Record Which Side of Immigration We Were On

January 31, 2017 — Shevat 4, 5777

The Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis condemns in the strongest of terms President Donald Trump’s executive order that would restrict entry for refugees from predominantly Muslim countries, halt federal funding for “sanctuary cities” that protect vulnerable undocumented human beings, and expand detention for immigrants and asylum-seekers.

This past Friday, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Trump created unjustifiable new obstacles in the path of refugees and immigrants seeking a safer and better life. The terrorist threat attributed to refugees is a cruel distracting fiction that goes against the core of both American and Jewish values.

As rabbis, we are all too familiar with what happens when a government decides to demonize a minority group. The central command of our holy Torah — repeated more times than any other commandment in the Bible — is to “not oppress the stranger … for we were strangers in the land of Egypt.” And we were strangers. We were strangers in the Roman Empire, in Christian Spain, in Nazi Europe and nearly everywhere we have lived for the last 2000 years. It was just a few decades ago when many Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazi-led genocide sought shelter in the U.S. but were unable to enter due to immigration limits. Some who arrived were tragically turned away from our shores.

Our sages teach that in an imperfect world, our task is to devote our lives to perfecting the world through acts of kindness and our respect for the inherent dignity of every human being.

And so we call on all Americans of conscience, no matter for whom you voted, to stand with the Muslim-American community and all minorities. To our elected officials, let us be clear: We will not tolerate bigotry and discrimination in our speech or in our laws. Most importantly, we reject the targeting of individuals based on their religion. As Jews, it is an affront to our fundamental values.

We call on the president to immediately rescind all the executive orders that would halt, limit or curtail refugee resettlement in the U.S.

And we call in particular on our own community of Jewish-Americans, who have been raised on a creed of “never again,” to stand up and act now.

Our grandchildren’s history books will record what as Americans we do. We must ask ourselves today, “Which side of history will we be on?”

Expanding Medicaid Coverage

May 16, 2013 — Sivan 7, 5773

“Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor,” Leviticus 19:16.

The Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis strongly supports Governor Kasich in his request to expand Medicaid coverage in Ohio as provided for by the Affordable Care Act, and urges our state representatives to vote for this expansion.

We see this as a clear “win/win” decision, on the one hand doing what is right, moral and good (providing health care coverage for Ohioans with low income), and on the other hand, reducing Ohio’s health care expenses. Sometimes taking the moral high ground requires sacrifice. In this case, no sacrifice is needed. Rather, it is in everyone’s best interests to provide better health care at less cost via Medicaid expansion.

Judaism holds that the life and health of individuals is of great importance, and providing health care is a societal obligation. Almost all self-governing Jewish communities throughout history set up systems to ensure that all their citizens had access to health care. Doctors were required to reduce their rates for poor patients, and when that was not sufficient, communal subsidies were established (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 249:16).

We hope our representatives in the Ohio legislature will concur by expanding Medicaid coverage, thereby enabling Ohioans to take care of the health care needs of our low income neighbors while reducing our state health care expenditures.

Statement on Community Principles

February 19, 2004 — Shevat 27, 5764

The Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis’ commitment to K’lal Yisrael and respect for the diversity of expression of Judaism within our community form the foundation of this document. While valuing and supporting the autonomy of a congregation to determine its own religious boundaries, the GCBOR recognizes that the Cincinnati Jewish community is strengthened and enriched when it is welcoming and open to all Jews seeking to give expression to Judaism.

The GCBOR embraces the principles of inclusivity and egalitarianism as fundamental in fashioning a healthy community. The principles call upon us as a Board, and as member rabbis, to ensure an openness to all Jews regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or affiliation, participating equally and fully in the Jewish community and its communal ritual celebrations and observances.

This Board recognizes its responsibility to ensure that these principles, embraced by the majority of the Jewish community, are upheld. It is thus the policy of the Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis to participate in community events and programs that respect full equality of all participants. Only community events and programs that embrace these principles will receive the full support, endorsement, and participation of the Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis and its individual members.

Our community is further strengthened when the highest level of mutual respect, professionalism, and cooperation can be achieved. It is the responsibility of rabbis, agency executives, and others who serve the Jewish community to act in a manner that strengthens and elevates our community. Similarly, synagogues, Jewish institutions, organizations, and agencies should act in such a manner.

The Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis, open to all rabbis in our community, recognizes the responsibility that rests upon us to build a vibrant Jewish community.

13 Jewish Prisoners in Iran

May 25, 2000 — Iyar 20, 5760

Background

The Jewish community of Iran is one of the oldest in the world, going back 2,700 years. In 1979, when the last Shah was overthrown, approximately 100,000 Jews lived in Iran. Today the number is about 25,000. Since the Islamic revolution of 1979, 17 Jews have been executed on various charges, including espionage.

In the spring of 1999, 13 Jews were arrested in Shiraz, Iran, on charges of spying for the “Zionist regime” and “world arrogance” (code words for Israel and the United States). All indications are that the charges are completely baseless, and that the arrests were a result of power struggles between different factions within Iran. Nevertheless, the 13 have been held virtually incommunicado for over a year. Contrary to Iranian law and international agreements, they have been denied the right to choose their own counsel, and statements of court appointed attorneys suggest that the “defense” counsel might as well be working for the prosecution. The prisoners have reportedly confessed their crimes, but these supposed confessions were obtained in secret, a circumstance which strengthens the evidence for the political motivation of the charges. Three of the prisoners have been released on bail, but they, like the ten still in prison, still face the espionage charges, which could bring the death penalty. A rabbi of Iranian origin, now in the United States, was quoted this week by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency as saying, “We have an expression in Persian: Those who are in Iran are like a cooked chicken — they can be eaten very easily … Iran is one big prison, for both Jews and Muslims.”

Current Situation

The trial in Shiraz opened on April 13, but recessed after a short time. On April 18, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights approved a resolution, sponsored by the United States, Canada, and the European Union, expressing concern about the state of human rights in Iran, and alluding to the situation of the accused Jews. Concurrent resolutions on the same subject have been offered in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. For most of the past year, Jewish organizations have counseled relying on quiet diplomacy to help the prisoners. However, since such efforts have failed so far to produce results, more open pressure is now being urged. The trial resumed on May 1. Five of the defendants are said to have confessed their crimes. However, since the “confessions” were obtained in secret, and without the presence of counsel, one may well doubt their authenticity.

Our Appeal

1. The Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis calls upon the government of Iran to release immediately the Jews still in prison and to stop this politically motivated trial.

2. We call upon the government of the United States, upon the United Nations, and upon all justice-loving forces in the world to intercede on behalf of the 13 accused Iranian Jews, and to secure freedom and justice for them.

3. We call upon our representatives in Congress to support the concurrent resolutions on the situation of the Iranian Jews, sponsored by Senators Schumer, Feingold, Brownback, Wyden, Dodd and Lieberman and by Representative Gillman.

4. We join with Jewish people everywhere in offering our prayer for the release of these innocent people.

Cincinnati’s Children Deserve the Best in Education

March 4, 1996 — Adar 13, 5756

Once again the Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis strongly endorses an issue relating to the education of our children. If we are sincerely concerned with and committed to the well-being of our community and its future, we must renew Issue 2.

Doing so will simply maintain the current level of funding for our schools without any increase to our taxes.

The Cincinnati Public Schools cannot afford any cuts because our children need and deserve the very best and most complete education possible.

As in the past, we view this matter not as a political issue but as a religious/ethical one.

"To teach our children diligently" (Deuteronomy 6:7) is a responsibility which we are obligated to meet in many ways. Certainly, one of these is to vote for Issue 2.

As we eagerly anticipate Spring and the hope it brings, let us reaffirm our commitment to helping our children blossom and grow.

Let this commitment lead us to action in supporting education in general and specifically, in this season by voting for Issue 2.

Chanukah Menorahs on Public Property

December 16, 1987 — Kislev 25, 5748

The Cincinnati Board of Rabbis supports the constitutional principle of the separation of church and state. Because we hold that no religious symbol should be placed on public property, we support the city’s recent decision denying permission to place a Chanukah Menorah on Fountain Square.

A Policy for New Year’s Eve

December 9, 1976 — Kislev 17, 5737

The Cincinnati Board of Rabbis, the rabbinic group in the community encompassing Conservative, Reform, Traditional and Orthodox rabbis, calls upon the Jews and Jewish organizations of this area to respect the sanctity of the Sabbath by refraining from sponsoring or attending activities that conflict in any way with the observance of the Sabbath and attendance at religious services.

Inasmuch as New Year’s Eve occurs this year on Friday evening, the Cincinnati Board of Rabbis specifically urges the entire Jewish community to abstain from planning or participating in parties and celebrations on that evening.

It further urges all Jews to attend the religious services scheduled in their respective congregations as a manifestation of their personal dignity and self-respect, as well as the spirit of rededication to the principles of our religious faith and to our spiritual regeneration.

Support for Grape Workers

October 4, 1969 — Tishrei 22, 5739

The following members of the Cincinnati Board of Rabbis express their support of the California and Arizona grape workers in their strike against the grape growers. We concur in the action taken by the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis and other rabbinical bodies who have joined in boycotting table grapes in homes and synagogues.

Signed,
Rabbi Solomon T. Greenberg
Rabbi Stanley R. Brav
Rabbi Hyman Cohen
Rabbi Donald M. Splansky
Rabbi Fishel J. Goldfedder
Rabbi Mayer W. Selekman
Rabbi Albert A. Goldman
Rabbi Israel Lehman
Rabbi Henry Barneis

Urging Regard for Sabbath in New Year’s Observance

December 23, 1965 — Kislev 29, 5726

The Board of Rabbis of Greater Cincinnati calls upon our co-religionists and Jewish organizations of this area to refrain and restrain from New Year [sic] Eve celebrations which would violate the sanctity and dignity of the Sabbath, and conflict with the observance of the Sabbath.

We call upon all to mark this event in the proper spirit of seriousness and worship.

The spirit of our times demands prayer not frivolity, profound searching not flippancy. The heavy burdens confronting our nation in issues of war and peace necessitate our prayers for good-will and fruitful resolution.

No greater import can be given to a New Year than to greet it in solemnity, quietude and loyalty to the great traditions of America and Judaism.

Let this day be a day of prayer!

Opposition to the Right-to-Work Amendment

October 23, 1958 — Heshvan 9, 5719

The Public Affairs Committee of the Cincinnati Board of Rabbis is opposed to the right-to-work amendment. After careful study it has come to the conclusion that this law would nullify the economic and social gains of labor. It would create havoc in industrial relations and incite unrest and discontent. It would deprive the working man of some of his most cherished rights.

In this statement we join other religious groups, notably the Catholic Bishops and the Ohio Council of Churches, who have expressed their disapproval of this law.

Licensing Pinball Machines

April 6, 1954 — Nissan 3, 5714

The Cincinnati Board of Rabbis expresses its approval of the present effort to prohibit the licensing of pinball machines. We express this present concern since it has become evident that the abuse of this form of gaming has led to many illegal practices and may lead to the breakdown of law enforcement.

Avoiding Activities on Shabbat

October 22, 1953 — Heshvan 13, 5714

The Cincinnati Board of Rabbis, cognizant of frequent acts of violation of the Sabbath by organized Jewish groups in this city, asks your earnest consideration for the following appeal:

We urgently call upon all Jewish groups: fraternal, social, cultural and philanthropic, to refrain from scheduling any meetings, socials, banquets, dances or any other secular activities on Friday evenings or on Saturday.

WE APPEAL ESPECIALLY TO OUR TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS TO AVOID SCHEDULING FRATERNITY AND SORORITY DANCES OR PARTIES ON FRIDAY EVENINGS, AND TO REFUSE TO ATTEND SUCH EVENTS, IF SCHEDULED ON THE SABBATH. [Capitalization original to publication.]

The Sabbath is the most precious heritage of our people. Its observance, as a day of rest and holiness, is enjoined upon us in the Ten Commandments. Throughout history it has been Israel’s mark of distinction and its greatest contribution to Western civilization. Truly has it been said, “More than Israel has kept the Sabbath, it was the Sabbath that kept Israel.”

In obedience to God’s command and in adherence to our age-old tradition, in consideration of our own survival as a religious community and in defense of the prestige and honor of the American Jew in the eyes of our non-Jewish neighbors, we reiterate the Divine dictum: “Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy.” We urge our people, young and old, to make Friday evening and Saturday the weekly occasion for family worship in their Synagogs and Temples and for family reunions in their homes to the end that we may restore the atmosphere of holiness into our lives, and add the true spirit of the joy of the Sabbath.

The Death of Chaim Weizmann

December 4, 1952 — Kislev 16, 5713

The death of Chaim Weizmann, first president of the infant State of Israel, removes from the world scene one of the most remarkable personalities of our generation.

Chaim Weizmann once said that history does not deal in Aladdin’s Lamps. He himself, however, in his own incredible career, was the striking refutation of this brilliant aphorism.

Out of the poverty and obscurity of a Russian village, Motel, near Minsk, Chaim Weizmann rose to world pre-eminence as a creative chemist and later as one of the leading statesmen of Zionism, to become at last the honored first president of the new-born State of Israel. He was a titan of our time, a brilliant and resourceful diplomat and a scientist of the first dimension. When he died he was universally acclaimed and honored by friend and foe alike.

The Board of Rabbis of Cincinnati pay homage to his memory and call upon all citizens of our community to show their respect for this great man, by attending the Memorial Service at the Feinberg Synagog, Reading Road and Lexington Avenue, Monday evening, Dec. 8, at 8 o’clock.