Lawsuit against Staples for discriminating against Black Orthodox Jewish Woman

On April 11, 2025, The Lawfare Project announced it has been retained to represent Elisheva Rishon, a Black Orthodox Jewish woman who was denied service and subjected to antisemitic harassment at a Staples store in Los Angeles. The incident occurred after Elisheva placed an order for postcards celebrating Jewish identity. Though she was notified the order was ready, a store employee later refused to fulfill it and directed antisemitic and racist comments at her. The store manager failed to intervene and instead sided with the employee.

The lawsuit alleges that Staples violated civil rights laws by allowing discriminatory behavior based on Elisheva’s race, religion, and ethnicity. The Lawfare Project seeks accountability for the illegal treatment Elisheva experienced and aims to deter future acts of antisemitic discrimination in commercial spaces.