PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Andrew Goretsky, EdD, Senior Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League of Philadelphia, issued the following statement in response to the Halloween parade float incident in Hanover:
“I want to commend Bishop Timothy Senior and the leadership of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg for their swift and unequivocal condemnation of the Holocaust imagery that appeared on the St. Joseph’s Catholic School float in the Hanover Halloween parade. I had the opportunity to meet with Bishop Senior, and it was a very positive conversation. We are grateful for his leadership and look forward to working together with him and the parish community in the vital work of fighting antisemitism and hate.
The recreation of a concentration camp gate bearing the words “Arbeit Macht Frei” — the infamous phrase that falsely promised liberation to Jews and other minority groups while leading them to their deaths — was profoundly inappropriate and hurtful to survivors, their families, and the entire Jewish community.
While we should work to prevent such incidents from occurring, the response of our leaders matters tremendously when they do occur. When those in positions of authority speak out clearly and quickly against antisemitism and hate, it sends a powerful message about our shared values and our commitment to ensuring that “Never Again” remains more than words. We hope this incident can serve as an educational opportunity for the Hanover community and beyond, and we stand ready to partner in bringing greater understanding about antisemitism and why such imagery causes deep pain and harm.
We are also deeply troubled by reports that threatening messages have been directed at St. Joseph Catholic School in the wake of this incident. We unequivocally condemn such threats. No one should ever feel threatened or unsafe in their school or place of worship. While we strongly opposed the imagery displayed on the float, the St. Joseph’s community does not deserve hate or intimidation. Threats and violence are never acceptable responses, and we stand firmly against all forms of hatred and violent intimidation.”
Andrew Goretsky, EdD
Senior Regional Director, ADL Philadelphia
