“S. Handler explained to them that his religion does not allow him to sit next to a women”
It does? Since when? Please cite a source.
& for arguements sake: Let’s say it isn’t the ‘right’ thing to do (bec it’s certainly not a halachah)- what’s the better alternative- creating a chillul hashem?
We Jews need to realize that a lot of people hate us out there and we DO NOT need to give them additional reasons…