mandy, I agree with you.
WIY, Really? Said by a rav in a shiur? Were you there? So the unnamed rav heard a story which to a lawyer sounds bogus, but the rav didn’t question it and to you this is proof that it happened? Let’s not be ridiculous.
You also say, “This isn’t religious discrimination.” Remind me which state granted you your admission to practice law because you are completely WRONG on this.
I’m making the point strongly because frum people read this website, we can be subject to religious discrimination, and people should not follow legal advice from those who have no business giving it.
Next, “A law firm can say they won’t hire someone if they have reason to doubt their integrity.” Right, you know how to justify illegal discrimination. Tell it to the court.
Finally, “Besides the guy was frum I doubt he wanted to make a stink out of it and let everyone know what a ‘proud’ Jew he is.” Again, you have no idea about what you are talking. Within the past three years there was a major lawsuit in the federal court in Manhattan by a Jewish attorney against a law firm on the grounds they discriminated against him for being shomer Shabbos. The story was written up everywhere including, most importantly the Wall Street Journal.
Bezalel, that’s a very interesting story assuming the reporter got it right. We have no idea if this is the same story referred to by WIY. Both stories, however, beg a few questions:
How would the law firm lawyer in each story know that the job candidate normally wears a yarmulke? The whole point of the each story is that the candidate was alleged to lack integrity because he had removed his yarmulke. Two points: a) How did anyone know; and b) Why would anyone care?
Unless you know someone individually, how would you know if he ordinarily wears a yarmulke? The only way I can see is the possibility that the candidate is a chasid. I discount this because anyone who has a shaved head, payos and a beard would be crazy to take off his yarmulke because he would fool no one.
Second, many observant lawyers do not wear yarmulkes in business. Rarely does anyone think ill of them. Strangely, both stories would have you believe that the lawyer knew the candidate wore a yarmulke and took umbrage at him not wearing it.
I don’t know Mr. Cohen and I do not question his integrity but there are plenty of unanswered questions here.