$1 million in funding
for security initiatives each year
“Sometimes we get confused and think that empowering one another comes from a place of optimism, joy, or positivity, or by pushing the hard stuff away. But there’s another way to uplift one another – and it starts by creating space to be vulnerable, feel pain, and embrace grief. That’s what today is all about. Today is about simply being together. As students, staff, faculty, clergy, and community, we are together. We respond as one to tragedy because we are a family, and as such we lean on each other when times get tough. And, declaring this dependency and vulnerability with one another is not a sign of our weakness, but rather a symbol of our humanity and strength as a community.”
These were the powerful words shared by Isaac Weiss, Co-President of OSU Hillel, at the community-wide vigil on Tuesday night. 500 people gathered on the Oval at The Ohio State University, not in celebration but in collective mourning for those taken too soon. After receiving the heartbreaking news of the six hostage murders, our agency leaders and clergy recognized the urgent need to come together. Thanks to the leadership of Naomi Lamb, CEO of OSU Hillel, and the dedication of students, we were able to make it happen. Clergy and organizations mobilized swiftly, with Torah Emet even offering transportation for their congregants to campus.
Our gathering was not just an act of remembrance but a crucial step toward healing. May their memories be a blessing.
The week continued with the celebration of the Ohio Jewish Communities (OJC) at their Annual Meeting. Led by President & CEO Howie Beigelman, OJC acts as the voice for government advocacy, public affairs, and community relations for Ohio’s eight Jewish Federations and their network of 150 nonprofit agencies. OJC played a leading role in advancing the CAMPUS Act, a historic response to rising antisemitism on Ohio college campuses. This legislation mandates that higher education institutions adopt policies against racial, religious, and ethnic bias, harassment, and intimidation.
These accomplishments underscore the importance of strong advocacy and relationship-building by OJC and our Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC). We are proud to fund and partner with OJC. As Howie aptly put it, advocacy is like insurance: “You don’t know how valuable it is until you really need it.”
During the meeting, JCRC Co-Chair and OJC Board Member Bill Byers introduced Governor Mike DeWine. I had the privilege, alongside JCRC Board Member Josh Sanders, of honoring State Representative Dontavius Jarrells. He and State Representative Justin Pizzuli were recognized for their bipartisan leadership in sponsoring the CAMPUS Act.
On Wednesday night, nearly 300 of us gathered for a Critical Community Conversation with Andrew McCabe, Former Acting and Deputy Director of the FBI, and Ron Brownstein, Senior Editor at The Atlantic and Senior Political Analyst for CNN. During the event, our Board Chair Jonathan Feibel shared our bold goals to be the best Jewish community in North America and to double our Annual Campaign so that we can all live vibrant and secure Jewish lives.
Our co-host Les Wexner highlighted that Columbus is the fastest-growing Jewish community in the United States. Les challenged us to consider how we can make a difference in the coming year. Inspired by the conversation, I ask all of you to reflect on how you will invest your time this year and where you will give back?
At the end of the program, Abigail Wexner shared meaningful ways we can contribute to our community’s future.
I encourage you to participate:
// Join us on October 7 at the JCC of Greater Columbus for a special memorial event.
// Share your thoughts, perspectives, and feedback with us at info@jewishcolumbus.org—your voice matters.
// Advocate for our Jewish community in influential spaces. Let us know if you’re interested in getting involved.
// Invest your time, talents, and resources in our community.
Our hope for the future depends on our shared responsibility. Together, we can ensure a safe and thriving Jewish community for ourselves, our children, and future generations.
