Oakland Cafe Accused of Discrimination Closes Amid Lawsuits

The Jerusalem Coffee House in Oakland, California, has temporarily closed its doors, ceasing operations on August 23. The owners cited three ongoing legal proceedings as the reason for the closure, with no set date for reopening. The U.S. Department of Justice is leading a federal lawsuit alleging a pattern of religious and racial discrimination.

The cafe is accused of refusing service to Jewish customers wearing Star of David symbols. One incident involved Jonathan Hirsch, who entered the cafe with his son on October 26, 2024, wearing a blue hat with a white Star of David. According to Hirsch's lawsuit, the owner, Abdul-Rahim Harara, confronted him, asked if he was a Zionist, and demanded he leave, calling the hat "violent" and accusing Hirsch of supporting "genocide."

Another Jewish customer, Michael Radis, claims he was confronted in July 2024 for wearing a hat that read "Am Yisrael Chai" (The people of Israel live) and later told by staff he was not welcome. The Department of Justice filed its lawsuit in June 2025, alleging violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A federal court has allowed the case to proceed.

In addition to the federal lawsuit, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is representing Radis in a separate suit, and the Brandeis Center for Human Rights is representing Hirsch in another. The cafe, opened in late 2023, also drew controversy for menu items like "Iced in Tea Fada" and "Sweet Sinwar Juice" around the anniversary of the October 7th attacks.

The cafe owners deny the allegations, stating the lawsuits are an attempt by "Zionist organizations and the federal government" to suppress free speech and support for Palestinians. They claim to have faced harassment and property damage since the controversy began. The federal trial in October is expected to determine if the cafe violated civil rights laws by denying service based on race or religion.