Antisemitism controversy erupts after NY coffee chain targets Jewish congressman

A Jewish member of Congress and his 7-year-old daughter became the focus of a public online attack by a New York coffee chain this week, prompting a federal civil rights investigation and fueling renewed concerns about antisemitism in New York City.

US Rep. Dan Goldman, a moderate Democrat representing New York’s 10th Congressional District, was targeted on Sunday by the owners of Poetica, a chain of six coffee shops in the greater New York metropolitan area. The incident occurred after Goldman and his daughter visited one of the company’s stores.

The controversy has drawn national attention after the U.S. Justice Department opened an investigation into whether the coffee chain violated federal anti-discrimination laws.

The incident comes amid heightened concerns over antisemitism in New York City following a series of high-profile incidents and growing tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas war.

After Goldman visited the store, Poetica posted a security-camera image of him online alongside a caption that read: “Hey Congressman Dan Goldman, we see that you stopped by our shop today for a coffee. Do you see how it doesn’t taste like genocide juice? Or are you still having a hard time telling the difference? See, here at Poetica, we don’t serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, or anyone in between. Too bad we didn’t recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away. We issued you a refund—we don’t need your money (it’s probably coming from AIPAC anyway). Enjoy your loss on Tuesday. Don’t ever come to Poetica.”

Goldman responded online, saying he was disappointed by the post and noting the kindness shown by an employee during the visit.

“The barista could not have been nicer to my 7-year-old daughter and me — allowing her to use the bathroom even though we had not purchased anything. I made sure to buy a coffee in return for her kindness. I hope you at least make sure she gets the tip that she deserved.”

The post sparked a strong backlash online. Critics highlighted a statement on the company’s website that says “whoever walks through the door is treated with unconditional dignity. Not as a customer. Not as a transaction. As someone who arrived and deserves to be welcomed.”

The owner of the company told The Times of Israel that he had received death threats and was focused on protecting himself and his family.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department confirmed that it had opened a civil rights investigation into the matter.

“The Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation and will bring an enforcement action if warranted,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said on 𝕏. “Federal law prohibits public accommodations such as coffee shops from discriminating against patrons based on their race, religion, or national origin.”

Goldman has generally been viewed as a centrist Democrat on Israel-related issues. While broadly supportive of Israel, he has also criticized Israeli policy toward the Palestinians and has described the current governing coalition in the Knesset as an “extremist government” that “unjustly hurts Palestinians.”

He has received endorsements from both AIPAC and J Street and is facing New York City Comptroller Brad Lander in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. The 10th Congressional District includes Lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn.

The incident comes amid broader concerns about antisemitism in New York City. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has repeatedly condemned antisemitic violence, but some critics argue that his rhetoric regarding pro-Israel organizations contributes to a hostile political climate.

Last week, Mamdani referred to AIPAC as “monsters” who spend “millions in dark money to accomplish a single goal, to preserve their power so that they can turn us against one another instead of our leaders turning towards the moral change we all know to be necessary.”

American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch responded in an open statement directed at Mamdani: “When you call people monsters, you’re not debating ideas, you’re dehumanizing the people you disagree with.”