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.
Things of this kind are happening on major college campuses quite frequently. Unfortunately it’s become almost the norm!
who cares where it was the main thing was that he was hurt things like this could happen anywhere!believe me it hapened in plenty jewish places 2! YIKESSSSSS
No one is condoning or approving what happened to him! But if an obvious Jew attends a predominantly goyish event he can expect both the good & not so good interactions. I’m sure there were many witnesses but it doesn’t seem as if he had anyone’s sympathy. It wasn’t right or proper but what is these days. This is golus!
It’s always the same . Please stop attacking one of ours and see it for what it was. anti-Semitic act. C. Simcha
To all the Idiots who think it is a Chillul Hashem to go to a stadium, you people are pathetic! A normal guy went to go enjoy a game and was harassed and you go and make out as if it was his fault? You can say the same about going anywhere for example, working in a non Jewish business, flying on a non Jewish Airline, shopping in a Mall alongside Goyim, the list goes on and on! Are we not allowed to go and watch a sports game? Sports is not inappropriate, there is no swearing, there is no… Read more »
I’m sure there were plenty of witnesses to the Yid’s assault. Apparently he had no sympathizer’s either. He must have attended this alone as well.
Most have been so busy pearl clutching to consider what’s happened here, so since I’m a giver I’m going to flesh it out. Nobody believes that the yid deserved to be harassed because he went to a ball game. Yidden are good, goyim are bad…we all know this. What happened here that a 1000 Yidden were harassed September 12 2016. One yid decided to write a letter to a politician about it, and for some strange reason this hit the websites. We are Jews. This isn’t new. We aren’t going to clutch our pearls and stamp our feet and demand… Read more »
regardless of what the jew was doing at the stadium, and regardless of the individual who snatched the kippa, as jews we feel attacked by any level of anti-semitism regardless of how big or small. Our reactions shouldnt be judgment but rather sympathy and taking measures to protect ourselves
Take a look at the article, a Jew was harassed so feel compassionate and sympathize with him. There is a total lack of Ahavas Yisroel here and its embarrassing! So what if it took place at a baseball game!! If you don’t think it’s proper to go there then don’t go yourself! But don’t judge that other people are going! This is very surprising
It’s a little sad that the bulk of the comments here are saying that the man whose Yarmulka was snatched is at fault because he should not have attended a baseball game. Number 33 said it best, that we are so quick to jump and condemn Frum people. What if this person was not a “Frum” person but someone who feels comfortable enough with expressing his Jewish identity publicly by wearing a Yarmulka? Would you tell him that he should not have attended a baseball game and that he is at fault for experiencing anti-Semitism? It is very painful that… Read more »
It’s so sad that people are making judgments. Unless you are a Rov, this comments section is no place to state Halacha & make a ruling/judgment call on this Yid. He is our brother. This kind of disgraceful behaviour is exactly why the Beis Hamikdash was destroyed. Ad mosai!
If going to baseball games is not allowed how come I’ve been to so many Chabad events that take place in sports arenas, like Chanukah at a hockey or basketball game. Last year I attended s Jewish unity event at s baseball game? Not a sports fan at all but I go because these are Chabad promoted events, not just for outreach but plenty of lubavitchers attend as well. All these events were posted on COL and I never once saw a comment that no baseball etc is not allowed! Sincerely don’t get it? What gives? Is it just because… Read more »
We were put in this world to be partners with Hashem in perfecting the world. If the Yid needs Time Out perhaps he should be more discreet. If he feels he wants to do these things on a regular basis than he may have just had his 3rd strike at the end of the 9th inning. Game over!
Everything happens for a reason. A Jew does NOT belong at a baseball game. End of story.
The creature sitting unfortunately by hashgacha protis in back of the Jew was not necessarily a drunk or simple jerk. He just might not be able to sit behind a kappa clad proud Jew without expressing he displeasure.
pogei einoyim? you are pogei einoyim walking down kingston ave! Tahor tameh? Who said anything about that? You are being moishav leitzim by being on the computer now! Go learn Torah instead of typing! Who are you to judge. A yid was harrased by an anti semite or someone who obviously wasnt too sympathetic towards yidden, and you sit here on the computer with your bitul Torah and attack him or defend the perpetrator? It saddens my heart that you can say such a thing. Leave it as it is and try to worry about yourself before judging others. Oh… Read more »
But there’s no gain in prosecuting every jerk and this only could ch”v turn a small but harmless pest into a broader anti-Semite. Respond with sanity and class. Don’t turn this into who can be more tough and insane.
It is not ok to watch a game from time to time. Reb Moshe says that going to a game is moshav letzim. Besides you are being pogem einoyim with the lack ot tzinus all over the place.
Can you give one ONE single source that says that attending a baseball game is mutar>
True, there are dargos, but this does NOT allow you to call tahor what is tameh.
I
is right lets go mets
It says in רש״י That you can’t go to arenas as in places were people kill each other And you are allowed to go to a baseball game
Never happens at Mets game!
What is the Yankee organization supposed to do? While I’m sure that this was distressing for Mr Lapin to say the least, you can’t control some drunken idiot’s actions.
it’s okey to watch a game of sport from time to time!
but the problem is if you’r to much in the game. meaning not to talk 24/7 about it!
but if it was speaking of a ubavitcher then noone would dare question why he went to a game they would come up with a sorry excuse like” oh he was there for mivtzoim” This type of “zilzul” towards other yidden is what sickens and enrages me. You expect everyone to respect you yet you cant respect other yidden. Not their Rabbis, not there minhagim, and not THEIR Gedolei Hador from generations. For those of you “BT”S” who are confused about the ahavas yisrael and questioning where it is, get used to it. This is a general mindset that if… Read more »
seriously? come on, thats not even the point of the article!
My son had his yarmulkas pulled off in Monticellos Walmart. Will you tell people not to shop? Some teens stole his yarmulkas and we did not get it back, they ran off with it. We are in golus!
forget about the preaching and lecturing.
The question is what is the EMES. How does Hashem want us to spend the fleeting time that has been granted to us.
Does HASHEM really wants us to go to the stadiums and cheer with the goyim?
I will take any answer as long as is EMES, based in the Torah and Chazal, and not self serving.
you are misguided. the Rebbe did not render an opinion about going or not going to games, so you can not say whether he condemned attending a game or not.
All what I know is that the Tanya (end of chapter 1) describes as a RASHA anyone who had time to learn Torah but did not. He used the strongest possible language just look it up
IF YOU WERE STANDING OUTSIDE 770 AND A MAN CAME OVER AND TOOK YOUR KIPPAH WHAT WOULD YOU SAY!!!
so it was at a baseball game thats not the point a fellow jew was humiliated in public this is not what the rebbeh wanted STAND UP FOR YOUR BROTHER SHAME ON YOU
To all ignoramuses who say “get over it” this is how things started in Germany Austria in the late 1930’s
Its not just some harassment underneath these actions lies evil hatred and antisemitism
what do you think would be the rebbe’s response on hearing that the hanhala of 770 took the bochurim to a baseball game??????? im sure you can imagine that the rebbe would ‘give them over the head’. etc. etc. etc.
the rebbe taking lessons of baseball is obviously to those already into baseball and by talking their language you could teach them lessons of torah. but this does not mean that the rebbe’s shita is that a frum yid should go to baseball
The Rebbe spoke about what we can learn from baseball without condemning those who enjoyed the game.
#s 2 7 10 13 your responses are absolutely disgusting.
Your “chassidishkeit” only serves to help you feel superior to others. You do not serve Hashem with your frumkeit rather you are serving yourself. The Aleph Beis of Chassidus is bitul and all you are doing is displaying arrogance, lack of empathy and lack of any Ahavas Yisroel.
If your such a tsadik then you don’t belong on the internet.
this happen to at a white sox game I was at to my friend, he did nothing, just got up found a police officer and had the man arrested for theft, guy got 7 days in the big house, plus a life time ban from the park, don’t get mad get even.
BS”D # 2 didn’t fly a kite but catch a baseball.K’Siva v’ Chasima Tova L’Shana Tova u’ Masuka to you and your Mishpacha.
I’m not into Facebook, but I “like” #s 16 1nd 17.
Rashi was TALKING TO YOU!
He didn’t mean you should LECTURE OTHERS AFTER SUCH AN INCIDENT!
Fact a Jew was harassed for being visibly Jewish, regardless of the location. If we don’t collectively condem anti Semitism, next this may happen in a subway, a grocery store or at a playground. We must stick together, no matter what or have history repeat itself Gd forbid!
#13 maybe we are still in golus because we have yet to learn how to care for one another. Judge others favorably and let’s bring on Moshiach together.
Please change the title of this article to begin;
“Jewish Man harassed at Yankees game” we must not hide and conceal the anti-semitism in the sports arena in the political Arena and all arenas in between!!!
Your so frum you shouldn’t go on the Internet.
These comments are very disheartening. A Jew was harassed, we are not here to judge him but give empathy and support.
With these comments who needs enemies.
To all ignoramuses who say “get over it” this is how things started in Germany Austria in the late 1930’s
Its not just some harassment underneath these actions lies evil hatred and antisemitism
Of the above 12 comments, most of them are harboring income number two, which is obviously ridiculous.
The others are merely turning this gentleman into the problem. His yarmulke was stolen and all you can say is “you shouldn’t of been there,” “should’ve worn a hat,” “stopping such a crybaby” etc.
There’s nothing wrong, and it is very healthy, to attend baseball games. This should not reflect the Yankees organization, but rather one foolish fan.
The reality is, pulling away a yarmulke is not even close to pulling away somebody’s baseball cap or jacket.
Imagine somebody pulled off somebody’s Burka?
“Baseball is America’s favorite pastime.”
#2 is exactly correct. You can behave as goyim behave for just as long as the goyim allow that. This is no historical reason to assume that a frum yid will forever be allowed by the wolves to sit and ‘enjoy’ his day out at the ballpark among the goyim.
That is was so for the last 30-40 years is anomaly, not the norm.
Times … they are achanging…
Cry out about golus.
Pull out the cell phone and snap away at the perp. Even better, video it!
These things happen. Get over it. How do you expect them to track down this guy?
So the baby got free tickets. I guess it’s worth it to whine.
My sons had their kippahs pulled off by nasty jeering men when we travelled to Europe several years ago. As young teens, it obviously affected them and us all. We thought about then how this would never happen in the US!
I hope Mr. Lapin & Assemblyman Hikind will be persistent & the perpetrator is identified and charged for harassment and this anti-Semitic hate crime.
Doesn’t surprise me.
But if this is how you want to spend your time and money where a baseball cap!
this is why frum jews should not go to sports games. its a chilul hashem
Not true
I’m angry at no. 2 for the stupid inappropriate reaction.
Go fly a kite….. U live in a bubble
A frum yid shouldn’t be at a baseball game to begin with. It says clearly in rashi you can’t go to stadiums
That’s terrible to read & yes I agree 100% that this behavior can not nor must not be tolerated!!