Ohio Jewish Clergy Speak Out Against Xenophobic Libel

As the Jewish organization dedicated to advocating for the rights and dignity of all displaced individuals, we at HIAS express our heartfelt solidarity with the Haitian immigrant community in the wake of the recent xenophobic attacks in Springfield, Ohio.

This week, Jewish leaders across Ohio have spoken out against the libelous statements against Haitians and hateful language in our political discourse. Their words reinforce the truth that anti-immigrant rhetoric goes against core Jewish principles.

“I am proud to be associated with many Jewish clergy in Ohio who reject the rhetoric of hatred,” said Rabbi Lewis Kamrass, immediate past president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and rabbi of a Cincinnati synagogue. “Jewish values make central our commitment to welcoming the stranger. It is core to who we are as Jews and to the shared biblical tradition of many religions. We are also a nation of immigrants who contribute to and shape this country in every generation.”

“When we read in our Bible that all humans are created Betzelem Elohim (Genesis 1:26), made in God’s image, we teach that every human life is of equal value and dignity,” said Rabbi Miriam Terlinchamp, a Jewish clergy member based in Cincinnati. “Any statement that portends that one life is more valuable than another goes against this core theology of Judaism. There is no faith in xenophobic slander that oppresses immigrants and refugees in this land.”

Throughout this election season, immigrants have been used as scapegoats and political talking points. Harmful conspiracy theories have moved from the margins of political discourse to the biggest political stages, fueling dangerous policy proposals, promoting fear and misunderstanding, and inciting violence. The hateful rhetoric directed toward Springfield’s Haitian community is only the latest, most egregious manifestation of this trend.

“This is a modern, anti-immigrant blood libel,” said Mark Hetfield, HIAS president and CEO, during a public webinar on September 12. “It is just like the ones that were used against the Jewish community in centuries past, and it is now being used to stir up hatred and fear. While it is patently absurd and was proven even during the [presidential] debate to be a lie, the repercussions for Haitian Americans are already being felt.”

The escalation in insidious rhetoric against immigrant communities is not a joke — and in fact is cause for serious alarm. It is time to raise our voices with courage, to say that immigrant communities must be treated with respect and dignity and with deep appreciation and solidarity.

Below is a letter signed by 56 Jewish clergy in Ohio, standing against the use of hateful language in our political discourse:

Death and life are in the power of the tongue — Proverbs 18:21

As Jewish clergy in Ohio, we stand in solidarity with the Haitian community in our state who have been slandered in ways that impact their safety and the safety of our shared communities.

The accusations are no laughing matter, and as Jewish leaders, we decry their use. In them, we see disturbing parallels to our own history. The blatantly false rhetoric hurled against Haitians is a blood libel, echoing the one that provided the pretense for murderous pogroms targeting Jews over centuries. When such rhetoric emanates from the biggest political stages of the country, the threat of violence surges — for Haitians, for immigrant communities, for their neighbors who share their schools and institutions, and for those who support them. We know that this violence has become very real for our neighbors.

The rhetoric directed against Haitians in our state is part of a greater trend of disinformation about immigrants during the 2024 US election season. These lies are dangerous, and they dehumanize people who stand as the most recent generation in the long and proud American tradition of finding refuge, rebuilding their lives, and contributing to their local communities and economies.

Jewish tradition has long understood the direct line between speech and violence, placing lashon hara — evil speech — among the most grievous of sins for the life-threatening harm it can unleash. For these reasons, we come together to stand against xenophobia and for immigrant communities. We demand our political leaders do the same.