Hallmark Cards Accused Of Anti-Semitism

KANSAS CITY, MO. (CN) - Hallmark Cards fired a longtime designer because he objected to anti-Semitic articles in corporate communications and anti-Semitic acts in the workplace, Jonathan Schneider claims in Jackson County Court.

Schneider says that after he objected to allegedly anti-Semitic articles in corporate communications, his boss told him to "stop the Jewish stuff," and told him that he "did not look Jewish and therefore was not taken seriously as a Jewish person." His manager than allegedly "gave Plaintiff a description of what Jews are supposed to look like that was a heinous and racist stereotypical description."

The complaint continues: "A co-worker placed a picture of a toy resembling Adolf Hitler with a swastika on plaintiff's chair and defendant (manager Karen) Dismukes laughed at it and praised the employee who had done that as a 'talented designer'".

Also, Schneider says, he was asked to review greeting cards for Jewish holidays, and he objected to one that contained a yellow Star of David. "When it was pointed out to defendant (manager Brad) Springer that the Nazis had ordered Jews to wear yellow Stars of David during the Holocaust, Defendant Springer insisted that the card be made with the star colored yellow, saying that he would see if 'we will get any letters.'"

After complaining of this and other discriminatory treatment, Schneider says, Hallmark fired him. He worked for the company for 7 years. He demands punitive damages and lost wages. He is represented by Michael Waxenberg of St. Louis.

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