On May 4, 2020, a coalition of Jewish-affiliated organizations issued the following statement: 

“ADL, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg, the Community Relations Council Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley and the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition strongly condemn Representative Cris Dush’s invocation of the Nazi party during his remarks about actions of Governor Wolf and his administration in addressing COVID-19.  Such rhetoric diminishes the horrific atrocities committed by the Nazis and is offensive and wrong.  

While we appreciate that Rep. Dush did issue an apology on the House floor several hours later, we are deeply disappointed that he did not immediately retract his comments when the vice-chair of the Committee requested that he do so, and that in his Floor remarks he did not directly acknowledge what he had said and why it was wrong.  We are grateful for the House members who recognize that even in — especially in — heated political debate, this rhetoric is unacceptable.  We fervently hope we will never hear such thoughtless language used by a Pennsylvania leader again.” 

Contacts:

Shira Goodman, Regional Director, ADL Philadelphia

James Pasch, Regional Director, ADL Cleveland

Batya Glazer, Director, JCRC of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia

Josh Sayles, Director, Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh

Jennifer Ross, President and CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg

Aaron Gorodzinsky, Director of Campaign and Security Planning, Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley

Hank Butler, Executive Director, PA Jewish Coalition