As the Jewish community gathered for the first night of Passover, we were dismayed to learn that Hilliard City Council passed a resolution concerning Israel and Gaza. Despite objections from Council Members Peggy Hale and Les Carrier, as well as City Manager Michelle Crandall and her staff, who clearly articulated that such action on the first night of Passover was wholly inappropriate, the decision was championed by City Council President Cynthia Vermillion.

In doing so, the Council President not only disregarded our religious observance but also sent a distressing message to Jewish residents of Hillard and the broader Jewish community, implying that their voices are unwelcome in city government. The deliberate timing of this resolution on such a sacred night as the first night of Passover constitutes a blatant act of antisemitism.

Taking this strong stance of condemnation is not a step we take lightly. Historically, our organization has refrained from such forceful criticism of local city governments. However, the issue at hand goes beyond the resolution itself – it is about the insensitivity displayed by the Council President in bringing forth a matter so deeply significant to the Jewish people on a night of profound religious significance, and intentionally excluding Jewish voices from being heard. Furthermore, the Council President has allowed an atmosphere where Jewish voices in past meetings were met with heckling, booing, and jeering.

By choosing the first night of Passover to pass the resolution, the Council President allowed the council to succumb to external pressure and set a precedent of yielding to anti-Jewish sentiments. The decision made by Hilliard City Council has caused lasting harm. Due to this grave failure of leadership and intentional exclusion of Jewish voices, we demand the immediate resignation of the Council President.

Additionally, we implore the other three members of the city council who voted in favor of this resolution to deeply reflect on their actions and consider the ramifications of their decision. The Jewish Community Relations Council believes an official apology from Hilliard City Council to the citizens of Hilliard and the Jewish Community at large would be appropriate.

Andrea Britcher & Jonathan Feibel

Chairs, Jewish Community Relations Council

Justin Shaw

Senior Director, Community Relations