18 | FEBRUARY 6 • 2020
Southfield Orthodox Family
Sues American Airlines
for Discrimination
S
outhfield residents Yehuda
Yosef Adler and Jennie
Adler filed a lawsuit on Jan.
28 against American Airlines
for discrimination on the basis
of race, religion and nationality.
The couple, who identify as
Orthodox Jews, stated they were
asked by a pilot to exit the air-
craft just over a year ago due to
their “extremely offensive body
odor.
”
The Adlers and their
19-month-old daughter were
passengers on a flight from
Miami to Detroit on Jan. 23,
2019. In their lawsuit, the Adlers
stated that an American Airlines
gate agent approached them
shortly after being seated, stat-
ing, “Sir, there’
s an emergency
and you must deplane.
”
According to the lawsuit filed
by the Adler’
s representative,
Nwadi Nwogu of the Odunze
Nwogu Law Group of Houston,
the gate agent further stated that
“the pilot was booting the family
off the plane because of [their]
body odor.
”
The Adlers said no one had
mentioned they had offensive
odor prior to their flight or
during previous flights. They
also stated they had showered
that morning.
The lawsuit further states
that the American Airlines
agent “made disparaging and
derogatory statements, telling
the Adlers that he knew that
Orthodox Jews take baths once
a week.
”
After being forced to exit the
plane, the Adlers approached
people near their boarding gate
and asked if they could detect
unpleasant body odor coming
from any member of the family.
The lawsuit states that more
than 20 people “responded in
the negative.
”
Despite the family’
s request to
board again, they were not per-
mitted on the flight. The Adlers
requested that their luggage be
returned to them, but the agent
said the plane was already closed
and ready for takeoff.
The plane left with the Adlers’
luggage, leaving the family
without a change of clothes,
their child’
s car seat, stroller and
diapers.
Although American Airlines
gave them hotel accommoda-
tions and a flight back to Detroit
the following day, the Adlers
said they were embarrassed and
traumatized by the incident.
The lawsuit further states that
the pilot “distributed this humil-
CORRIE COLF STAFF WRITER
PIXABAY
Jews in the D
continued on page 20
PHOTO CREDIT JERRY ZOLYNSKY
To shine the public spotlight on young people in our
community, the JN, Jfamily and the Youth Professionals
Network created Rising Stars: Teens Making a Difference, a
showcase that will highlight 18 remarkable Jewish teens in
the Metro Detroit area. Those selected will be featured in
the April 30 issue of the JN and will also be recognized on
the JN, JCC and Jfamily social media pages.
Nominees must live in Michigan, identify as Jewish and be
students in grades 9-12; they can be self-nominated or may
be nominated by others today through March 8.
Nominees should be recognized for impact, contribution
and/ or achievement in areas including (but not limited) to:
SEEKING
TERRIFIC TEENS!
To nominate yourself or a teen you know, go to
thejewishnews.com and click on the Rising Stars button or to
https://jfamily.jccdet.org/rising-stars. The deadline is March 8.