20 | FEBRUARY 6 • 2020 

Jews in the D

continued from page 18

iating yet disturbing false report 
of the Adlers’
 body odor to the 
press and public.
”
The Adlers asserted that 
American Airlines “intention-
ally discriminated” against their 
family which resulted in the 
family “being pressured to see 
their race and religion as infe-
rior to that of whites, dirty and 
unwelcome.
”
The lawsuit further states that 
American Airlines acted neg-
ligently by lying to the Adlers 
about an emergency to deplane, 
failing to provide a safe travel 
environment and failing to 
“treat a Jew, Orthodox Jew, the 
same way as [the] white speak-
ing pilot and other passengers.
”
Nwogu, the Adlers’
 attorney, 
could not be reached for com-
ment.

In a statement to the Jewish 
News, American Airlines said: 
“The Adler family was asked 
to deplane after multiple pas-
sengers and our crew members 
complained about Mr. Adler’
s 
body odor. The decision was 
made out of concern for the 
comfort of our other passengers. 
Our team members took care of 
the family and provided hotel 
accommodations and meals and 
rebooked them on a flight to 
Detroit the next morning. None 
of the decisions made by our 
team in handling this sensitive 
situation were based on the 
Adlers’
 religion.
”
The Adlers are seeking com-
pensatory damages including 
damages for emotional distress, 
punitive damages and attorney 
fees. 

GVSU Offensive Coordinator Resigns 
Following Hitler Comment

Grand Valley State University’
s 
football Offensive Coordinator 
Morris Berger resigned Jan. 
30 following an interview with 
the student newspaper where 
he referenced Adolf Hitler as 
“a great leader.”
Berger was hired by the 
football team Jan. 20 and 
immediately came under fire 
after his Q & A session was 
published in the Lanthorn Jan. 
23. He was suspended Jan. 27.
He was asked to pick three 
historical figures, outside of 
sports, with whom he would 
like to have dinner with, 
and answered with Adolf 
Hitler, John F. Kennedy and 
Christopher Columbus.
“It was obviously very 
sad, and he [Hitler] had bad 
motives, but the way he was 
able to lead was second-to-
none,” Berger told the student 

paper at the time as explana-
tion for his choice.
A statement released by 
GVSU said Berger and the 
university “reached a mutual 
agreement regarding his posi-
tion, and his resignation is 
effective immediately.”
“Over the last 11 years I 
have taken great pride in the 
responsibility and privilege of 
being a teacher, coach, men-
tor and a valued member of 
the community,” Berger said. 
“However, I do not want to 
be a distraction to these kids, 
this great university or Coach 
[Matt] Mitchell as they begin 
preparations for the upcoming 
season.”
GVSU’
s head coach Matt 
Mitchell agreed that Berger’
s 
resignation is in the best inter-
ests of the team and the uni-
versity. 

CORRIE COLF 
 STAFF WRITER

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