A Christian church in Passaic County has deleted an online video of its Christmas pageant, which portrayed an Orthodox Jewish character dancing while holding a bag of money alongside a red-faced character bearing horns.
The Jan. 11 performance at St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Clifton included wise men and shepherds marking the birth of Jesus, along with a character dressed in traditional Hasidic attire.
But the Hasidic character, wearing a black hat and vest with sidelocks, was featured with another performer wearing a red mask and devil’s horns, according to New Jersey Jewish News, which published a screenshot of the performers.
The church removed photos and video of the pageant from its Facebook page after receiving several complaints.
The production, called a Christmas vertep, is a centuries-old Ukrainian tradition still performed in churches worldwide.
Video of the pageant posted on the church’s social media sites prompted complaints from Jewish viewers, who said the imagery reinforced harmful antisemitic stereotypes.
Last week, St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church issued a press release stating it was not their intent to discriminate against any group.
“We do not have any intention to promote harm or hatred with this pageant,” the church said in the release.
“However, we recognize [that] some outside of our culture may assign elements of the performance to stereotypes when taken out of context which is inclusive of peoples historically present in eastern Europe,” the church said.
The press release said all characters in the performance “are fictional” and that the event “does not target any specific group.”
“The church is reflecting on this matter seriously and is committed to engaging in dialogue, and teaching others about our heritage while ensuring that future events continue to uphold the dignity, respect, and safety of all people,” the church said in its press release.
“We sincerely appreciate those who brought their concerns forward,” the release said.
Church leaders did not immediately respond to request for additional comment.
Scott Richman, the regional director of The Anti-Defamation League of New York and New Jersey has condemned the performance.
“There is no place for antisemitic stereotypes in any religious celebration,” Richman said in a statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
“At a time when antisemitism is surging to alarming levels, continuing harmful stereotypes — even in the context of traditional religious customs — undermines the efforts built to understand and maintain safety for Jewish communities,” Richman’s statement said.