In a letter to Yankee President Randy Levine, Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) called for swift action to address an incident that occurred during a game at Yankee Stadium back on September 12, 2016.
A couple of weeks ago, Mr. Ben Lapin, a life-long Yankee fan and Orthodox Jew, attended a Yankee game at Yankee Stadium. There was nothing out of the ordinary until Mr. Lapin had his yarmulke (skullcap) pulled off his head by a fellow patron seated behind him. This patron proceeded to taunt Mr. Lapin and finally after numerous pleas, returned his yarmulke to him. “I am appalled and dismayed that such behavior could have occurred and not be further pursued by the Yankee organization,” said Hikind in the letter.
“Baseball is America’s favorite pastime, and people and their families attend a game to enjoy themselves. Imagine the pain and degradation Mr. Lapin experienced as this incident unfolded. He relayed to me how distraught he was and how it continued to negatively affect him for several days afterward, to the point that he was not able to enjoy his anniversary. To add insult to injury, when Mr. Lapin went to report this incident to stadium officials, they tried to minimize it and took no action.”
As an attempt to pacify Mr. Lapin, Yankee officials offered him free tickets to a future game. “It is an outrage that this type of abhorrent behavior go unanswered,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “Mr. Lapin, a father of five, did not appeal to me to take action for some free tickets. He wants the Yankee organization to set an example by helping identify these perpetrators and aid him in pursuing harassment charges.”
“We need to send a clear and strong message that there is no place for this type of behavior anywhere,” added Hikind.
(YWN Desk – NYC)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
15 Responses
Don’t they have police stationed at the stadium. Assault is a serious crime. While teams try to be nice to a fan who is a victim of a crime at a game, it is the responsibility of the police to deal with matter.
Sorry to say but the continuation of this story is in the hands of the Jews. If we get together and complain and stop going to games and buying season tickets, I’m sure they’ll respond!
Stories like this make people say that jews are money hungry people, the story was ok until he mentioned he was not able to enjoy his anniversary I smell law suit
Mr. Lapin I’m sorry that this happened to you and I hope the Yankee organization will get to the bottom of it!
I’m not going to tell you what to do but I think it’s time to give up the Yankees. I don’t care how powerful their bats are- they are missing simple mentchlachkite. Their true colors came out.
Please note: Discussing sports during Krias HaTorah is Forbidden.
Let’s root for other things. Let’s not let a team that has no self respect rule our lives.
o please. enough of this stuff already. when are we gonna learn and accept that people hate jews and theres nothing we gonna be able to do about it
Don’t go to baseball game you won’t get abused. We’re in Galus remember that.
Take is as a sign from above. YOU DO NOT BELONG AT THESE EVENTS ESPECIALLY WITH A YARMULKA!!
And here I thought that Jew Hating was America’s (and the world’s) Favorite pastime. Learn smething new every day.
Big A: Discussing anything during Krias Hatorah is forbidden. What does this have to do with this story?
The fact that you let it ruin your anniversary shows something else is wrong. And it’s with you. That fact that you had no consideration for your wife is very irresponsible of you. Also, why didn’t you AT THE GAME COMPLAIN??? The Yankees are not responsible for this. YOU SHOULD HAVE GONE TO THE POLICE QUIETLY WHILE HE WAS HOLDING YOU YARMULKA. YOU COULD HAVE BORROWED ONE OF YOUR SONS. ( if he had one there ) or used something else. Unfortunately common sense and being human goes out the window. He can’t sue. It has nothing to do with the Yankees. People these days…..
The presumed gentile who did this is, of course, wrong (though I don’t really believe that Mr. Hikind is actually “shocked”).
However:
Bilam HaRasha said it in our Torah “Hein Am liVadad yishkon…”
Of course, Jews have as much right to go to games as do gentiles. But that’s irrelevant.
From a spiritual perspective, Jews don’t really belong in such places. Should they go anyways, at least they shouldn’t flaunt their Jewishness.
Why is it taking so long to post my comment???
I’ve said this so many times, but its not getting through to Dov. He is paid a salary to represent us upstate in Albany (tuition tax credits, affordable housing).We have city councilmen and congressmen to address NYC and Isreal issues.When was the last time Dov was in Albany or spoke out about a NYS issue.
From Al Sharpton to Dov Hikind. DO you thing we Jews will riot?
I came to the comment section expecting to find racial bias and intolerance to Jewish people from internet trolls. But sheesh…rough crowd. The criticism is coming from fellow Jewish people. My college military history professor was right about bickering and in-fighting while the Romans were preparing to lay siege to Jerusalem? Ain’t much changed in 2000 years.
Dear Solo as much as it pains us in our fellow Jew’s suffering, and we really feel for him, our point is that if you mingle you’ll get bitten and don’t expect otherwise and further don’t continue the fight realize this is not really our country and we’re not among ” friends ” rather we’re in Galus (exile).