Dave Portnoy’s response to an antisemitic signal displayed at his Barstool Sansom Avenue bar in Philadelphia on Might 3, 2025, drew vital consideration and a few reward for his swift and decisive actions. After a video surfaced displaying a bottle-service signal studying “F*** the Jews,” Portnoy, who’s Jewish, posted an “emergency press convention” video on X, expressing intense anger and vowing to carry these accountable accountable. He initially said he was “shaking” with rage and aimed to “wreck” these concerned, emphasizing his dedication to monitoring down the culprits, together with the waitresses and patrons accountable.
Portnoy’s actions included firing the 2 waitresses who displayed the signal, describing one as “one of many dumbest people” he’d ever spoken to, and figuring out the patrons, reportedly Temple College college students, who ordered it. He later softened his strategy, choosing training over retribution. In a follow-up video, he introduced he would fund a visit for the 2 males behind the signal to go to Auschwitz in Poland, hoping to show the “hideous incident” right into a “instructing second.” He collaborated with Robert Kraft’s Basis to Fight Antisemitism to facilitate this.
The response from some quarters was constructive. The @StopAntisemites X account praised Portnoy’s quick motion, noting the firings and highlighting social media exercise of 1 alleged patron, Mo Khan. Jason Holtzman of the Jewish Federation of Larger Philadelphia recommended Portnoy’s determination to ship the culprits to Auschwitz as a step towards training, calling the incident “horrifying and harmful.” Rabbi David Kushner, a Philadelphia police chaplain, additionally famous Portnoy’s misery and his need to forestall such incidents broadly.
Nonetheless, not all reactions had been uniformly constructive. Some patrons, like Mary Kate Selgrath, questioned whether or not Portnoy’s response would result in significant change on the bar itself, suggesting that actionable steps from native administration had been wanted. Moreover, Portnoy confronted criticism for mistakenly stating Auschwitz was in Germany moderately than Poland, although this didn’t overshadow the broader approval of his intent.
Temple College suspended not less than one scholar concerned, with President John Fry condemning antisemitism and promising additional disciplinary motion. The Philadelphia police and the Anti-Defamation League are investigating the incident, which occurred amid a reported rise in antisemitic incidents within the U.S. since October 7, 2023.
Portnoy’s mix of quick penalties and an academic strategy was seen by some as a balanced response, incomes reward for addressing each accountability and the potential for reform. Nonetheless, skepticism concerning the long-term influence on the bar and broader cultural points endured amongst some observers.
