Unity Rally Held In Blue Bell After Nazi Flag Display Sparks Uproar

WHITPAIN TOWNSHIP, PA — Hundreds gathered on Sunday at the Wissahickon Public Library to denounce the recent display of a Nazi flag in the community.

Local rabbi Adam Wohlberg, the Anti-Defamation League, and other community leaders participated in the event, which was described as a "Peaceful Show of Unity."

"We can demonstrate both through our words and our numbers that we will not stand for such acts of hate," Temple Sinai Dresher shared in a statement. "They have no place in our community nor in our society."

The flag was displayed at a home in the Blue Bell area of the township on the anniversary of Kristallnacht, a Nov. 9-10, 1938 Nazi attack on Jewish people in Germany.

The event lasted about an hour. Organizers said between 350 and 400 people were in attendance.

The Nazi flag drew wide condemnation from community groups and officials, including the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors, who called it "abhorrent."

"That flag was and remains contrary to all that we believe in and all that our Township represents," the Board said. "We will not be silent in the face of evil. We trust our community will join us."

Officials acknowledged that the flag's display was protected by the First Amendment, and the township and local police said that accordingly, they will take no legal action.

See related: Nazi Flag Display In Montco Called 'Shocking, Offensive' By Officials

Montgomery County Commissioners addressed the incident at length during their meeting last Thursday.

"We know that this hate does not define us, and so the community must step up and let it be known," Commissioner Neil Makhija said in a statement. "I’m proud to see community leaders organizing this weekend to speak out and look forward to joining them."

Speakers included:

• Rabbi Kevin Lefkowitz: Tiferet Bet Israel in Blue Bell, including a reading of U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean’s prepared words

• Jamila Winder: Montgomery County Commissioner
• Rabbi Jason Bonder: Congregation Beth Or
• Pastor Charles Quann: Bethlehem Baptist Church
• Abbey Krain: Anti Defamation League
• Jeanne Sorg: Mayor of Borough of Ambler
• Rabbi Adam Wohlberg: Temple Sinai
• Neil Makhija: Montgomery County Commissioner vice Chair
• Rabbi Roni Handler: Beth Tikvah-B’nai Jeshurun
• Rabbi Danielle Parmenter and Hazzan Elyse Unger: Darchei Noam
• Rabbi Glenn Ettman: Congregation Or Ami
• Rabbi Alanna Sklover: Or Hadash
• Rabbi Chana Leslie Glazer: Temple Beith Achim

This article previously incorrectly stated that dozens were in attendance, which unintentionally misrepresented the size of the crowd, estimated between 350 and 400 individuals. The article has been updated.