An Oakland resident has filed a lawsuit against a local café, alleging that he and his five-year-old son were expelled from the establishment due to his visibly Jewish attire. Jonathan Hirsch claims that on October 26, 2024, he was confronted and ejected from Jerusalem Coffee House in North Oakland because he was wearing a baseball cap displaying the Star of David.
According to the lawsuit, Hirsch entered the café, ordered a latte, and sat down to play chess with his son while waiting for their drink. Shortly thereafter, the café’s owner, Abdulrahim Harara, approached Hirsch and demanded to know if he was a “Zionist.” When Hirsch refused to answer, Harara allegedly told him to leave, stating, “This is a violent hat, and you need to leave.”
The incident was captured on video, in which Harara is heard telling Hirsch, “You’re being asked to leave. You’re causing a disruption. This is a private business.”
Hirsch’s lawsuit, filed in Alameda County, accuses Jerusalem Coffee House of religious discrimination and violating his civil rights. He is seeking unspecified compensatory damages.
This incident is not isolated; another Jewish man, Michael Radice, has also filed a lawsuit against the same café, alleging similar discriminatory behavior. Radice, represented by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the law firm Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP, claims he was refused service simply for being Jewish.
The ADL’s Regional Director for the Central Pacific, Marc Levine, commented on the situation, stating, “No one should have to hide who they are to order a cup of coffee, but at Jerusalem Coffee House, antisemitism was literally on the menu.”
The lawsuits highlight ongoing concerns about antisemitism and discrimination in public spaces, prompting discussions about civil rights protections and the responsibilities of business owners.