Nearly 200 gravestones at two Jewish cemeteries in Cincinnati were vandalized, the Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati and the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati said.
The vandalism occurred at the Tifereth Israel and the Beth Hamedrash Hagadol cemeteries in the Covedale Cemetery complex, most likely between June 25 and Monday. The vandalism was discovered early Monday.
As of Wednesday morning, no arrests had been made. The FBI and police are investigating.
The Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati and the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati said in Facebook posts that they were "deeply saddened and outraged" over the vandalism.
The Jewish Federation said most of the gravestones were pushed face down, making it challenging to identify them. Photos posted by the groups showed the gravestones knocked over in the grass, many of them broken.
"Our hearts go out to the families affected by this senseless vandalism," the Jewish Federation said in a statement. "The Jewish community in Cincinnati is resilient and we are committed to repairing the damage and restoring the sanctity of these sacred spaces."
Antisemitic incidents have been rising across the country. In recent data released by the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitic harassment, vandalism and assaults in the U.S. increased by 140% over the last year.
The ADL said in a published report in April that it recorded 8,873 antisemitic incidents last year compared to 3,698 incidents in 2022. It was the most on record since the ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents in 1979, it said, noting that the rise in incidents took place primarily after the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel.
