Police are investigating after gravestones were vandalized at two prominent Jewish cemeteries on Cincinnati's west side.
According to a press release from the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, 176 gravestones at the Tifereth Israel Cemetery and the Beth Hamedrash Hagadol Cemetery, both at the Covedale Cemetery complex, were found damaged on July 1.
"This act of antisemitic vandalism was uncovered early this morning and has left our community heartbroken," reads a press release from the Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati (JCGC).
According to the press release, the cemetery groundskeeper told the JCGC that there was no signs of vandalism when they last mowed on June 25. Once they returned, the affected tombstones, some of which date back to the late 1800s, were either knocked over or cracked in half.
Most of the vandalized gravestones were pushed face down, which JCGC said makes it challenging to identify the affected families.
Most of the vandalized gravestones were pushed face down, which JCGC said makes it challenging to identify the affected families.
"Our hearts go out to the families affected by this senseless vandalism," the release reads. "The Jewish community in Cincinnati is resilient, and we are committed to repairing the damage and restoring the sanctity of these sacred spaces."
Photo: Provided by the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati will notify the affected families once investigators give the go-ahead to lift the gravestones that were pushed face-down.
JCGC has reached out to SAFE Cincinnati, the security arm of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, who is working with law enforcement to investigate the vandalism, including the Cincinnati Police Department, the FBI and authorities out of Green Township.
"Law enforcement has advised us not to touch the gravestones to preserve the integrity of their investigation. Once we receive clearance, we will carefully turn over the gravestones to identify the names and contact any living relatives," the release reads. "We will inform the families as soon as we have more information."
There are no suspects so far, but investigators are urging anyone with information about the incident to reach out to Crime Stoppers at (513) 352-3040.
Those who want to donate to JCGC can give direct donations to the organization's monument repair fund here.
Those who want to donate to JCGC can give direct donations to the organization's monument repair fund here.
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