Ohio AG Sues to Block Closure of Cincinnati Reform Seminary

HUC 'deeply disappointed' by lawsuit over plans to shutter the program

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:50pm

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A dimly lit, empty classroom in an old university building, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows across the desks and chalkboard, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and uncertainty about the future.A legal battle over the closure of a historic Reform seminary exposes the financial pressures facing Jewish educational institutions.Cincinnati Today

The Ohio Attorney General has filed a lawsuit to block the closure of the Reform movement's Cincinnati rabbinical program at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR). The college has expressed disappointment over the legal action, which seeks to keep the seminary open despite HUC-JIR's plans to consolidate its rabbinical education in New York.

Why it matters

The closure of the Cincinnati seminary is part of a broader strategic shift by HUC-JIR to centralize its rabbinical training in New York. The lawsuit by the Ohio AG challenges this plan and could force the college to maintain the Cincinnati program against its wishes, potentially impacting the long-term viability of HUC-JIR's overall rabbinical education efforts.

The details

The Ohio Attorney General filed the lawsuit, arguing that the closure of the Cincinnati seminary would deprive the state of an important educational and religious institution. HUC-JIR has said it is 'deeply disappointed' by the legal action, stating that the consolidation plan is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of its rabbinical training programs.

  • The lawsuit was filed on April 16, 2026.

The players

Ohio Attorney General

The chief legal officer of the state of Ohio who filed the lawsuit to block the closure of the Cincinnati Reform seminary.

Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR)

The Reform Jewish seminary that operates rabbinical programs, including the one in Cincinnati that is slated for closure.

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What they’re saying

“We are deeply disappointed by the Ohio Attorney General's lawsuit to block the closure of our Cincinnati campus. This strategic consolidation plan is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of our rabbinical education programs.”

— HUC-JIR

What’s next

The Ohio court will now consider the Attorney General's lawsuit and HUC-JIR's plans to close the Cincinnati seminary. A decision on whether to block the closure is expected in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This legal battle highlights the challenges facing Jewish educational institutions as they navigate shifting demographics and financial pressures. The outcome could have significant implications for the future of Reform rabbinical training in the United States.