The Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 87 on March 4, which defines antisemitism for the purpose of state agency investigations and expands the definition of ethnic intimidation. 

The bill is currently in committee in the house.

Supporters of Senate Bill 87 say the legislation is a necessary step to address the rise in antisemitism and give state agencies clearer tools to respond. 

Anti-Defamation League (ADL) regional director Kelly Fishman testified to the Ohio Senate in support of the bill.

 “ADL’s most recent Audit of Antisemitic Incidents tracked 8,873 antisemitic incidents across the country in 2023, which reflected a 140% increase over the year before and represented by far the highest number the agency has tracked since we began doing so in 1979,” she said. “This report also showed a startling increase in reported antisemitic incidents here in Ohio, with 375 incidents reported in 2023 which is a 250% increase from 2022.” 

Fishman also argued that adopting a formal definition would improve how incidents are identified and handled. The organization said the bill would “provide a consistent framework” for recognizing antisemitism and help ensure that cases are taken seriously across schools and government institutions.

Proponents also say the definition is meant to guide investigations, not punish speech, and would help address confusion about what qualifies as antisemitism.

However, opponents of the bill have raised concerns about how the definition could be applied. 

In written testimony, Rabbi Steve Segar warned that incorporating the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition into law could blur the line between antisemitism and criticism of Israeli policies.

“Under this amendment to SB 87, legitimate concerns about Israel’s responsibility for possible human rights violations or war crimes would be automatically labeled as antisemitic,” he said. 

Seger argued that while combating antisemitism is critical, any legal definition must be carefully applied to avoid restricting legitimate First Amendment rights. 

As the number of antisemitic crimes continues to rise in the country, new data reveals the impact of antisemitism on communities and students. 

According to a 2025 report by the American Jewish Committee, 91% of American Jews reported that antisemitism made them feel less safe than in the previous year. The report also revealed that there has been an increase in antisemitic crimes in schools and on social media, reflecting the rising trend of such crimes in the country.

The Anti-Defamation League found a massive increase in reported incidents in Ohio in the last few years from 61 in 2022 to 237 in 2023 and 233 in 2024. The 2025 report showed a significant reduction in incidents to 117, reflecting a national decline, but still the third highest ever reported in the state.

The rising cases of antisemitism has prompted Ohio Sen. Casey Weinstein to call on the state legislature to take responsibility for the rising cases of hate crimes. 

“We as a legislature owe it to every Ohioan that they can feel safe and protected in their communities,” Weinstein said. “That is as fundamental a role as we have in the legislature. Jewish communities, immigrant communities, Muslim communities, the LGBTQ+ community, these communities have historically been targeted by hate. They need protection.”

However, Weinstein believes that the current laws are not enough. 

“No, I don’t think they are sufficient,” he said. 

Weinstein  also supported legislation for the creation of a hate crimes bureau in the attorney general’s office. He cited a major gap in the enforcement of laws regarding hate crimes. 

“Although Ohio ranks as one of the top states for hate crimes in the country, we do not have a hate crime-focused bureau anywhere in the state,” he said.

There is also a problem of underreporting. 

“There’s a tremendous amount of hate crime incidents that never get reported,” Weinstein said. He also cited that education could be a solution to the problem so that people could recognize hate when it happens and take action against it.

Through his role on Ohio’s Holocaust and Genocide Memorial Commission, Weinstein helps expand access to Holocaust education across the state. This includes bringing curriculum directly into schools and funding student visits to institutions such as the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center in Cincinnati. 

“We have a role not just to react, but to be proactive in how we educate the next generation,” he said. “The way we do that is proactively teaching and educating children on the Holocaust so it never happens again.”

In addition to high-profile national incidents such as the attack on a synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan in March, there have been local incidents that have raised concern.

Closer to home, an Orange City Schools employee was investigated in April for allegedly antisemitic social media posts and returned to work May 6 after an investigation found that she did not violate any district policies. 

 In Hudson, people displaying Nazi symbols gathered publicly, prompting a large interfaith counter-protest in August 2025.  

“I never thought I would be saying that there are Nazis in our community,” Weinstein said. “But they are in the area and they feel emboldened.” 

Hundreds attended the peaceful rally, demonstrating the community’s rejection of hate. 

“It showed very clearly that those kinds of values and that kind of hatred has no place in our community,” he said.

Students also report experiencing antisemitism in everyday interactions. 

Elle Beck, president of the BHS  Israeli Culture Club, described antisemitism as “prejudice or hatred towards Jewish people simply because they are Jewish.” 

She said it can appear in many ways, from ignorant comments to intentional harassment. 

“A lot of people make comments ignorantly, not really knowing what they mean,” she said. “But sometimes it really does come off that way. Sometimes it is intentional, and it can make you feel isolated or unsafe.”

Beck added that students often do not recognize antisemitism. 

“Sometimes they’re ignorant and don’t realize that they’re being hurtful,” she said. 

Social media, she explained, plays a major role in spreading harmful stereotypes. 

“A lot of kids our age are constantly on it,” she said. “[…They’re seeing false information or things they think are jokes, and then they spread it to their friends.” 

She said this can normalize antisemitism among students who might otherwise not consider it harmful.

Jesse Vaytsman, teen President of Ohio for Israel, offered a student leadership perspective on combating antisemitism. 

“I would define antisemitism as any behavior, policy, or practice—intentional or not—that insults, disadvantages, excludes, or harms people for being Jewish,” he said.

Vaytsman said many students do not feel fully safe expressing their identity. 

“Many people have become numb to it,” he said, noting that everyday decisions, such as whether to wear a Star of David or other visible symbols of Jewish identity, can feel significant.

Vaytsman explained that misleading or biased content online can influence how students think about Jewish people and Israel, even when no harm is intended.

“Misinformation, while not as malicious as disinformation, propagates antisemitic sentiment,” Vaytsman said. 

To address the problem, Vaytsman said student organizations play a crucial role. 

“Student organizations should educate on Judaism, create visibility for Jewish people and antisemitic influence, and amplify Jewish pride,” he said. 

He added that peer-led programs can often reach students in ways adults cannot, creating safer environments for discussion and awareness.

Both student leaders and lawmakers stress the importance of speaking out. Beck urged students not to remain silent when witnessing antisemitism. 

“If you’re experiencing antisemitism, there are most likely others that are also experiencing it,” she said. 

Weinstein agreed, emphasizing that community response must be active and consistent. 

“We always need to respond forcefully,” he said.

As antisemitism continues to affect communities nationally and locally, perspectives from lawmakers and students suggest addressing it will require a combination of stronger laws, better education and active community engagement. 

By raising awareness, supporting victims and fostering dialogue, leaders hope to create safer and more inclusive environments across Ohio.