A Jewish congressman was barred from a Brooklyn coffee shop after a public dispute over his stance on Israel.
Rep. Dan Goldman visited Poetic Coffee Shop with his daughter over the weekend. The shop later posted a since-deleted Instagram message mocking his visit: “Hey Congressman Dan Goldman, we see that you stopped by our shop today for a coffee. Do you see how it doesn’t taste like genocide juice? Or are you still having a hard time telling the difference?”
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The post continued, “Here at Poetica, we don’t serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, or anyone in between… Too bad we didn’t recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away. We issued you a refund—we don’t need your money (it’s probably coming from AIPAC anyways). Enjoy your loss on Tuesday. Don’t ever come to Poetica.”
The shop’s website elaborates on its stated commitment to hospitality, explaining that its approach is inspired by Uzbekistan’s mahallas, where welcoming guests is a communal responsibility. The site notes that in these neighborhoods, hospitality is not an individual act but a collective effort, with the principle that “the guest is sacred because the act of welcoming is how a community holds itself together.” This philosophy contrasts with the shop’s later decision to publicly reject Goldman’s patronage.
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Goldman told CNN the staff didn’t recognize him during his visit. He described the barista as wearing a hijab and being exceptionally courteous, even allowing his daughter to use the restroom. Impressed by her kindness, he purchased a coffee and left what he considered a generous tip as a gesture of appreciation. The refund only appeared in his account after the shop’s Instagram post was published.
Goldman is currently in a competitive Democratic primary race against Brad Lander, a former New York City comptroller. Lander has made Goldman’s position on Israel a central point of criticism in the campaign. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has publicly endorsed Lander, adding weight to the challenge against Goldman’s reelection bid.
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In response to the controversy, Goldman emphasized the distinction between his support for Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and his stance on its government’s actions. He stated that while he has expressed significant disagreements with Benjamin Netanyahu, his backing of Israel as a nation does not imply unconditional approval of its policies. He has previously spoken out against specific Israeli government decisions, framing his position as one of subtle support rather than blanket endorsement.
The incident reflects a broader trend of local businesses openly aligning with political causes, using their platforms to exclude customers based on perceived ideological differences. Goldman’s campaign has not issued additional statements regarding the ban.
