FBI Joins Investigation: 176 Headstones Vandalized at Jewish Cemeteries in Ohio

DEBARYLIFE —

The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati and the Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati both report that vandals had damaged almost 180 gravestones at two Jewish cemeteries in Cincinnati.

At the Beth Hamedrash Hagadol and Tifereth Israel cemeteries in the Covedale Cemetary complex, many of the gravestones—some of which date back to the late 1800s—have been knocked face-down and cracked in half, according to a news release issued on behalf of the Jewish Community Relations Council, the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, and the Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati.

As to the statement, the vandalism is thought to have happened between June 25 and July 1. It was found on Monday morning.

The report also stated that while the FBI, Cincinnati Police, and Green Township of Hamilton County are all looking into the event, no suspects are yet being identified.

The damage occurs at a time when antisemitic crimes nationwide are on the upswing. The Anti-Defamation League has been monitoring antisemitic occurrences in the US since 1979. According to their most recent data, there was a 140% spike in antisemitic incidents from 2022 to 2023, with a “dramatic” surge following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.

“We vehemently denounce this act of desecration and hatred. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families impacted by this mindless vandalism. According to the federation’s press statement, “The Jewish community in Cincinnati is resilient, and we are committed to repairing the damage and restoring the sanctity of these sacred spaces.”

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The Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati’s executive director, Sue Susskind, told CNN that “it’s horrifying until you walk that ground and feel it.” Never in my life have I felt anything like it.”

In 2023, the Anti-Defamation League recorded 8,873 instances of anti-Semitic harassment, assault, and vandalism in the United States. John Vause of CNN talks with the ADL CEO on their most recent report.

According to ADL, anti-Semitic incidents in the US hit a record high in 2023.

Susskind stated that law enforcement has now permitted the gravestones to be restored and inspected, even though the organization has not yet identified all the graves impacted. She explained that because some of the gravestones are so massive, cranes will be needed to raise them.

According to Susskind, their initial goal is to identify names and obtain reports from the Jewish Cemeteries database. The organization will need to “go on the ground and try to figure it out” for the older burials not in the system.

To shorten the list of probable damaged places, Susskind claims that families are currently permitted to visit the cemeteries and locate the gravestones of their loved ones before reporting whether the headstone is “up or down.”

Additionally, Susskind informed CNN that two monument businesses have expressed interest in offering to contribute their restoration services for the stones.