Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

  • Donate now
  • Sign up
  • Connect

    Your Email Address

    Enter your email address to sign up for our newsletter.
  • Donate Now
  • Connect
  • Connect

    Your Email Address

    Enter your email address to sign up for our newsletter.
  • Log In
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • vimeo
 

Jackie Congedo — In Conversation

19 organizations are members of the Cincinnati Regional Coalition Against Hate, a nonpartisan alliance of organizations committed to being vigilant of and opposing hate activity by supporting impacted communities, responding in solidarity, and providing community education to foster acceptance, compassion and justice for all in the Cincinnati region.
May 7, 2018 | 0 Comments
Share18
Pin
Share
Tweet
+1
18 Shares

Cincinnati Regional Coalition Against Hate Launches, Stands in Solidarity Against Hate

On April 27, the JCRC took part in the launch of the Cincinnati Regional Coalition Against Hate, a nonpartisan alliance of organizations committed to being vigilant of and opposing hate activity by supporting impacted communities, responding in solidarity, and providing community education to foster acceptance, compassion and justice for all in the Cincinnati region. At the event, six community leaders with diverse racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds shared their stories of having courage under fire during incidents of hate. One of those speakers, Jeff Silverstein, shared his experience of being a counter-protester in Charlottesville, Virginia during the Unite the Right rally. His powerful message was republished in the Cincinnati Enquirer. In addition, Jaipal Singh, an active member of the Sikh community, and I wrote an opinion piece for the Enquirer calling on Cincinnati community members and organizations to join the growing movement of people standing up and speaking up with a unified voice. It is reprinted below along with other local stories about the coalition’s launch. −Jackie

Opinion: Calling All Upstanders: Cincinnati Needs Your Courage Under Fire

Cincinnati native Jeffrey Silverstein recalls the scent of tear gas and the palpable tension in Charlottesville last summer, where he traveled to support his sister, a local rabbi. While he and his family sang songs of peace to drown out the cacophony of hatred, the alt-right chanted the Nazi slogan “Blood and soil!” For the first time in his life, he thought to conceal his Jewish identity.

With tiki torches ablaze, armed weapons in hand, and hate-filled slogans ringing in the air, mindless violence took center stage as the nation witnessed hundreds clash in the streets – violence that took the innocent life of Heather Heyer. While the effects of that weekend drove many to reaffirm their own personal values, something more unique sprouted here locally: the Cincinnati Regional Coalition Against Hate (CRCAH).

The first of its kind in Greater Cincinnati, this nonpartisan alliance of 19 diverse organizations has committed to being vigilant of hate activity and to speaking out with a unified voice in response to it. Through community support, education and awareness, members of the coalition aim to foster acceptance, compassion and justice to pave the way for a more inclusive region. Already, this coalition has received widespread support from community leaders, including the mayor of Cincinnati and the Hamilton County Association of Chiefs of Police.

April 27 marked the launch of the coalition at the 3rd annual Stand Against Racism rally held on Fountain Square in partnership with the YWCA Greater Cincinnati. Members of the coalition’s diverse communities shared personal experiences when confronted by hateful language and behavior, bringing to life this year’s theme – “Courage under fire.”

Imam Hossam Musa, of the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati, relived the moment when his younger sisters received death threats and harm while jogging with their hijabs. Faced with the choice between cowering in fear or practicing their faith, Imam Musa and his sisters were not deterred. Instead, they committed to a morning jogging routine and reaffirmed their place as Americans.

Balpreet Kaur spoke powerfully on behalf of the Sikh community as she recalled challenges of growing up in a post-9/11 world with hate crimes and mass shootings, including a white supremacist opening fire on an entire congregation at a Sikh gurdwara in 2012. Refusing to succumb to fear, she vowed to stomp out the flames of hatred with the fires of love and compassion.

Karla Bolder, a member of the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA, shared an emotional story of her son being bullied and alienated for being “too Mexican” and her struggle to provide support for innocent children who are scared into silence about racist encounters in school. She urged the crowd to practice intentionality, so we look beyond politics and recognize the humanity in all.

These stories – while heartbreaking and shocking – depict the realities of racism and bigotry that many throughout Greater Cincinnati face daily. They call on each of us to do our part towards the goal of eliminating hatred in our communities. They inspire us to find our own “courage under fire,” and to become upstanders instead of bystanders.

“History tells us if you walk righteously and courageously, you will walk through some fire. But, if we walk together with our heads held high while guarding our hope, positive change can come,” said Chris Miller from the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, a founding member of the coalition.

CRCAH is committed to promoting inclusive values; monitoring activity that runs counter to these values; creating timely responses to hate crimes and bias incidents; assisting victims; and conducting year-round community education on the causes and prevention of bias, bigotry, and racism. We are asking for upstanders who will join us to visit cincinnaticoalition.org to learn how.

We each have a role and responsibility to challenge racism and to call out hatred in all its forms. Let us teach inclusiveness, unity and harmony within our social circles, in our schools, at the workplace and through our actions. Let us go beyond tolerance and practice love for our neighbors. Let us pledge to walk together, with our heads held high, through the flames of hatred towards better days for all.


Press Highlights

WLWT | 19 Cincinnati Groups Join Forces to Speak Out Against Hate
WCPO | In the Face of Racist Incidents and Rising Rates of Crime, She Knew She Couldn’t Stand By
FOX 19 | Third Annual Stand Against Racism Rally
WVXU | Cincinnati Edition: Cincinnati’s Stand Against Racism
Cincinnati Enquirer | Opinion: Wipe Out Bigotry, Intolerance
Cincinnati Enquirer | Stand Against Racism Event Friday to Highlight Courage, New Coalition




Stay connected to our news and stories: sign up for our newsletter here.



Share18
Pin
Share
Tweet
+1
18 Shares

you might also be interested in:

  • With the City as His Classroom, HUC Fellow Learns Community (and Human) Relations
  • JCRC Statement on Shooting Inside Fifth Third Center on Fountain Square
Share18
Pin
Share
Tweet
+1
18 Shares

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

  • Blog Home
  • Our Bloggers

    Shep Englander Shep Englander is CEO of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati...
    Danielle Minson People are what drive Danielle Minson, who has been Chief Development Officer since 2005...
    Jackie Congedo Jackie Congedo is the Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council.
    Jaynie Levinson Jaynie Levinson works to create networking and engagement opportunities that attract and retain Jewish young adults in Cincinnati.
    Amnon Maggid Amnon Maggid connects Israel & Cincinnati ...
"These stories – while heartbreaking and shocking – depict the realities of racism and bigotry that many throughout Greater Cincinnati face daily. They call on each of us to do our part towards the goal of eliminating hatred in our communities. They inspire us to find our own 'courage under fire,' and to become upstanders instead of bystanders." −Jaipal Singh and Jackie Congedo

GET LOCAL

  • Community Calendar
  • Community Directory
  • Career Center

RESOURCES

  • Create Your Jewish Legacy
  • Jewish Holiday Calendar
  • JCRC Educational Resources
  • PJ Library
  • Online Rules of Conduct

CINCY JOURNEYS

  • Israel Travel Grants
  • Overnight Jewish Camping Grants

CONTACT US

Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
8499 Ridge Road
Cincinnati, OH 45236

513-985-1500
contact@jfedcin.org

CONNECT

Sign up for updates

Copyright © 2015 Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by FEDWEB ® Central Privacy Policy Terms of Use