ABOUT
Ohio Jewish Communities is the statewide government advocacy, public affairs, and community relations voice of Ohio's eight Jewish Federations and their network of 150 nonprofit agencies statewide for the purpose of enhancing the Jewish community's ability to serve vital human needs.
To achieve this goal, Ohio Jewish Communities secures funds, educates and maintains relationships with government officials, and encourages sound public policy.
Learn about OJC's impact from our Jewish community partners and public officials.
Chair Greg Miller, Cincinnati
Vice Chair Sue Ann Hochberg, Toledo
Treasurer/Secretary Larry Mack, Cleveland
Joshua Lemerman, Akron
Fran Wells, Canton
Bill Byers, Columbus
Meryl Goldman, Dayton
Cari Immerman, Youngstown
2024-2025 Board Members
Staff
Howie Beigelman , President & CEO howieb@ohiojc.org Catherine Scheller, Director, Operations & Member Relations cscheller@ohiojc.org
614.463.1835
OJC is looking for interns!
Click here for current internship opportunities.
Recent Accomplishments
OJC led on a record $21.45 million in funding, doubling the annual security dollars, creating a historic, first-ever statewide Holocaust education appropriation, devising new K-12 STEM and workforce training programs for our nonpublic schools, and getting buy-in for a new Ohio-Israel partnership.
OJC partnered with the Negev Foundation on the 2023 Ohio House Israel Trade Mission. Participants included House Speaker Jason Stephens, Minority Leader Allison Russo, and 15 other State Representatives and staff as well as several Jewish community professionals and lay leaders.
OJC brought together a security focused DC fly-in for Jewish Federation security and JCRC professionals from around the state. They had meetings with both Senate offices and 14 of 15 offices in the Ohio delegation.
Our Issues
We are our agencies’ voice as they provide exemplary cradle-to-hospice services.
Tax issues, homeland security, and hate crimes are also part of our mandate.
Our Members
Observer Organizations
Agudath Israel of America, Commission on Legislation & Civic Action, Ohio Region
American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)
Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA)
JNF, Cleveland & Cincinnati
National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW)
Orthodox Union/OU Advocacy Center
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism