Pennsylvania Catholic School Sparks Outrage Using Auschwitz Gate Replica in Halloween Parade

A Halloween float from St. Joseph Catholic School in Hanover, Pennsylvania, sparked widespread outrage after featuring a replica of the Auschwitz concentration camp gate, including the infamous phrase "Arbeit Macht Frei". The float's inclusion of this historically significant and painful symbol of the Holocaust was met with shock and condemnation from the local community and beyond, who found it deeply offensive and inappropriate for a festive parade. The designer of the float claimed ignorance of the gate's significance, explaining it was added due to a missing archway, while the original approved design did not include the imagery. Harrisburg Bishop Timothy C. Senior and the Diocese of Harrisburg expressed their profound regret, apologizing to the Jewish community and pledging to enhance Holocaust awareness and review float approval processes. Jewish organizations also voiced their concern, emphasizing the pain such imagery causes and the need for sensitivity. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in addressing antisemitism and the importance of education about the Holocaust.