Fort Lauderdale attorney Yechezkel Rodal represents Yisroel Sternberg and Chana Beck, suing Spirit Airlines over alleged anti-Semitism. Courtesy photo.

Fort Lauderdale lawyer Yechezkel Rodal of Rodal Law has filed a federal lawsuit against Spirit Airlines Inc. after a family of Orthodox Jews endured an alleged anti-Semitic “discriminatory campaign” from flight attendants — one of whom allegedly labeled them ”retarded Jews.”

It started with a misunderstanding about a car seat, according to the civil rights and defamation suit filed in the Southern District of Florida, and ended with rescinded return tickets and a lifetime ban for New York couple Yisroel Sternberg and Chana Beck.

“These so-called 'retarded Jews' simply wanted a peaceful flight to Fort Lauderdale and to enjoy the start of their family vacation,” the complaint begins.

Spirit media relations manager Derek Dombrowski would not comment on the case but said the airline stands against discrimination.

“Spirit Airlines strives to maintain a welcoming environment for all of our guests, and we have zero tolerance for discrimination,” Dombrowski said.

The plaintiffs traveled with their 6-week-old, 2-year-old and 3-year old daughters, and wore  traditional Orthodox clothing for their Jan. 8 flight from Newark Liberty International Airport. Men typically wear a long, black coat, a white shirt and a skull-cap or hat, while women often wear long skirts or dresses and a head scarf.

Sternberg and Beck had bought an extra ticket for their baby's car seat. It was Federal Aviation Administration-approved but caused them problems at check-in and boarding time as it doubled as a stroller, which Spirit doesn't allow onboard.

The plaintiffs eventually got the OK from a supervisor, but once on board, they claim they faced continued ”harassment” from the flight crew. According to the complaint, the lead attendant said she “did not care what anyone else said regarding the car seat because she was not allowing it on 'her plane.' ”

The plaintiffs agreed to stow the seat below deck, and Beck held the baby on her lap for the flight. But they claim relations worsened when a flight attendant berated Sternberg for switching seats to help supervise the children, as it meant there weren't enough oxygen masks for everyone in the row. After Sternberg moved back, the attendant allegedly refused to tell the couple his full name, told Sternberg to “ shut up” and threatened to call the police.

On a subsequent 911 call, the crew said the plaintiffs were “being disruptive and cursing at the flight attendants,” according to the complaint. When the plane landed, two Broward sheriff deputies escorted the family off the plane.

Rodal — an ultra-Orthodox Hasidic Jew — said the incident was hurtful and embarrassing for his clients, who deny being disruptive.

“If it was just a bad experience then we wouldn't be having this conversation, but the fact they called the police is just outrageous,” Rodal said. “With anti-Semitism on the rise, it's extra critical to bring this to people's attention that it's not OK.”

As the plaintiffs waited at the gate in Fort Lauderdale, they claim a passenger they'd never met stopped to tell them the flight crew had called them “the retarded Jews.” The way Rodal sees it, the lawsuit isn't all that different from claims against the police.

“Clearly, flight attendants don't have the power of law enforcement, but on the plane they are the authority,” Rodal said. “It needs to stop. It's not like [my clients] could have just walked away or left the store. This was on an airplane.”

Rodal's clients seek punitive damages, attorney fees and costs.

Read the full complaint: [falcon-embed src="embed_1"]

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