We are deeply disturbed by a recording involving Principal Philip Leddy of Lower Gwynedd Elementary School, where he is heard making offensive and harmful comments about a Jewish parent in the school community. The remarks were made after he returned a phone call and did not realize he had failed to hang up.
What is most concerning is not only the language itself, but the mindset it reflects. The comments rely on well-known antisemitic stereotypes that reduce a parent to caricature and signal hostility rather than respect. For a family entrusting their child to a school community, hearing this kind of language, particularly from a principal, is profoundly unsettling.
In conversation with others in the office, he used antisemitic phrases, including references to “Jew camp,” allegations that the parent has “Jew money,” and the claim that “they [Jews] control the banks.” At one point, when asked whether the parent was a lawyer, he responded, “the odds probably are good.” These are deeply rooted antisemitic tropes that have historically been used to demean, marginalize, and endanger Jewish people.
We acknowledge the superintendent’s public statement today calling for the principal’s dismissal. That step reflects the seriousness of the conduct captured on the recording. At the same time, this incident cannot be treated as isolated or resolved by a single personnel action alone. Antisemitic language, or language rooted in hate or bias, should never be uttered in a principal’s office or anywhere within a school community. School leadership spaces must reflect respect and care for every student and family they serve.
This incident points to a broader, systemic issue. The presence of others in the room, the lack of challenge or interruption, and the comfort with which these remarks were spoken raise serious questions about culture, accountability, and oversight within the school environment. We understand the district is also investigating the involvement of others whose voices are audible on the recording, which is a necessary and appropriate step. Words spoken behind closed doors matter. When those words reflect bias, they erode trust and harm entire communities.
In response, we are calling for three immediate actions:
- Accountability and Transparency
The conduct reflected in this recording, including the participation of others whose voices are audible, will be thoroughly investigated by the district. That investigation must continue to be thorough, transparent, and followed by clear communication about findings and outcomes. Accountability must be swift, appropriate, and applied wherever standards were violated. Families deserve confidence that school leadership will address behavior that violates professional and ethical standards at every level. - Direct Engagement with the Jewish Community
Jewish parents and students in the Wissahickon School District deserve to be heard. This incident does not occur in a vacuum. It follows a series of troubling events that have left Jewish families in the Wissahickon School District feeling unsafe, unwelcome, or unheard. The Superintendent and her leadership team must immediately convene an in-person listening session with Jewish families in the district to hear directly from them, acknowledge the harm done, and begin the necessary work of rebuilding trust. Open dialogue and responsiveness will be essential in this process. - Ongoing Education and Training
The district must commit to meaningful, comprehensive, and sustained education on antisemitism and all forms of hate and discrimination. Continued education must be available to all student-facing faculty and staff. This should include a partnership with trusted community organizations, including the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. This work must be proactive and continuous, not limited to moments of crisis.
Jewish families want what all families want: to know that their children are respected, supported, and safe at school. Addressing this moment with clarity, care, and accountability is essential to restoring confidence and ensuring that every student can learn in an environment rooted in dignity and respect.
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About the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
Since 1901, the Jewish Federation has served as the hub of the region’s Jewish communities, providing an infrastructure of support for Jewish people and organizations in need. Through grants, emergency funding, restricted gifts, endowments, and our partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Day Schools, we annually invest in caring for those in need, combating antisemitism and global crisis, and securing a vibrant Jewish future. For more information, please visit: jewishphilly.org.