CUFI and CCFI work together to advocate combating antisemitism at the Ohio Legislature.

Ohio Senate Bill 87, introduced by Senator Terry Johnson (R-McDermott), aims to codify a detailed definition of antisemitism in state law, specifically for civil and administrative investigations conducted by state agencies. The bill adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, which includes eleven illustrative scenarios ranging from Holocaust denial to conflating modern-day Israel with Nazism

In addition, SB87 expands Ohio’s ethnic intimidation statute to cover riot and aggravated riot offenses when committed due to a person’s race, color, religion, or national origin. This provides state agencies with a standardized framework to identify and respond to hate-motivated actions. 

The Great news is SB87 passed the Ohio Senate on March 4, 2026.  But we have not crossed the finish line, now the Bill is sitting in the Ohio House of Representatives and needs to make it to the House floor for a vote, and this is where you can help. The Speaker of the House and the Judiciary Committee need to know that this is important to YOU and it needs to happen in 2026. It may be as simple as a phone call or short note to the Speaker, or Chairman. 

We have listed their contact information below. Let them know that you support SB87, just hearing from you tells them that people care about this. Silence is not an option. We all know how serious Antisemitism has grown. It is not a low-keyed secret anymore. But what impact are we the people making on addressing this issue. It is widely known that the answer is very little. 

We have listed their contact information below. Let them know that you support SB87, just hearing from you tells them that people care about this. Silence is not an option. We all know how much Antisemitism has grown. It is not a low-keyed secret anymore. But what impact are we the people making on addressing this issue. It is widely known that the answer is very little. 

We need you! We need as many residents of Ohio to join in us in our effort to curb and hopefully abolish antisemitism. We all know this won’t be easy, but as our Holocaust Center states, do you want to be a Bystander (like what took place in Germany) or do you wish to become an Upstander, starting right here in our beloved city of Cincinnati. 

Right now we need to seize the moment and build on the momentum we have to get the Ohio House of Representatives to PASS Senate Bill 87. Your support is crucial! Below is a list of Members of the Ohio House of Representatives that need to hear from YOU.

START HERE.

Ohio Speaker of The House Matt Huffman  (614) 466-6344 CALL!

Ohio Chairman House Judiciary Committee Jim Thomas  (614) 466-8030 

If you are motivated to do more we have listed the key Members, you can contact them as well. We need to engage our representatives to let them know we support these Bills. Write them now and tell them we need their help to fight antisemitism!

We need the House to take the Bill to the Floor for a vote. Let's start with the Speaker. Call or Write, let him know that you support SB87, that Antisemitism continues to rise and needs to be addressed immediately! 

DOING NOTHING, CHANGES NOTHING! BE THE DIFFERENCE! 

MEMBERS OF THE OHIO HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: 

Ohio Chairman House Judiciary Committee Jim Thomas  (614) 466-8030 

Ohio House Judiciary Committee Vice-Chairman D. J. Swearingen  (614) 644-6011 

Ohio House Judiciary Committee Member  Jamie Callender  (614) 644-6074 

Ohio House Judiciary Committee Member Adam Mathews  (614) 644-6027 

Ohio House Judiciary Committee Member Mike Odioso  (614) 466-8258 

Ohio House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Eric Synenberg  (614) 644-5079 

Ohio House Judiciary Committee Member Beryl Brown Piccolantonio  (614) 466-4847 

Ohio House Judiciary Committee Member Phil Plummer  (614) 644-8051 

Ohio House Judiciary Committee Member Brian Stewart  (614) 466-1464 

Ohio House Judiciary Committee Member Josh Williams  (614) 466-1418 

In addition to find and send to your own Representatives use the tool below.

FIND YOUR OHIO STATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES HERE! 

To learn more about these Bills: CLICK HERE SB87 

 We hope we can count on your support for the Cincinnati Coalition for Israel (CCFI).

    •   When asked to join with your support – please do so.

    •   When asked to contribute – please do so.

    •   If asked to be involved and help with our efforts – please do so.

This is not the time to turn your back and be AFRAID and do nothing.
Be An UPSTANDER!