Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)

(this was released to the news media today)

The Jewish Community Relations Council of Cincinnati Statement on Hate Crime in South Carolina

The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati expresses our deep condolences to the families of the victims, the Emanuel AME Church congregants, and the entire African American community over the shocking and hateful murder of nine people in a house of worship in Charleston, South Carolina. 

We echo the following sentiment released in a statement from the Jewish Council for Public Affairs: “Hate crimes attack both individual victims and entire communities. They are meant to isolate and terrorize.  We stand in direct contrast: for an inclusive and pluralistic community, one that cherishes life and recognizes that every person is created in the divine image. This horrible act surfaces the ugly currents of racism that still run deep. We must address them directly and justly. We hope that all appropriate resources are marshaled in a unified pursuit of justice. We must clearly and unequivocally demonstrate that hate violence has no place in our society.”

As a community with a long history of facing discrimination and violence, the Jewish community stands with our African American brothers and sisters in our abhorrence of this despicable act. Here in Cincinnati, we pledge to work together to fight hate in all its forms.