ZOA: Eliminating NY Mets' Jewish Heritage Night Emboldens Jew-Haters & Bigots

The New York Mets - one of the flagship teams in a city that is still home to one million Jews (1.4 in the New York metro area) - has not had a Jewish heritage night since 2023, while continuing to hold events celebrating the heritage of numerous other New York ethnic groups. The Mets have remained silent about this reasons for eliminating Jewish heritage nights this year. In 2024, the Mets gave the unconvincing excuse that they were moving towards events reflecting communities collectively. But this “collective” celebration rationale is belied by the Mets’ actual schedule of individual cultures’ heritage nights.

The Mets’ 2026 “Theme Games and Heritage Nights” schedule includes heritage nights for Italians, Puerto Ricans, Black legacy, Japanese, the Dominicans, Koreans, Irish and Mexicans, as well as nights for dogs (“Bark in the Park”), Hello Kitty, Star Wars, Medical Services Appreciation, Backyard Baseballs, Naruto (a Japanese anime ninja), Women and Pride (LGBTQ+).

The decision to jettison Jewish heritage night was likely made out of fear that anti-Israel groups might violently demonstrate or riot. But that’s absolutely the wrong approach. When antisemitic groups succeed in eliminating Jewish heritage events, it only emboldens the antisemites to increase their attacks on the Jewish community.

The Mets and its Jewish owner need to do better for the New York Jewish community that has long supported their team.

In a recent letter, date April 20, 2026, the ZOA wrote to NY Mets Owner Steven Cohen: Add Jewish Heritage Night to the 2026 Theme & Game Schedule

Mr. Steven A. Cohen

Owner, Chairman and CEO New York Mets

41 Seaver Way

Flushing, NY 11368

Dear Mr. Cohen:

We write on behalf of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), the oldest pro-Israel organization in the U.S., with a long, proud history of fighting antisemitism and standing up for the rights and interests of the Jewish people.

As you surely know, many have expressed concern about the Mets’ theme and heritage game schedule for 2026. The team is honoring and celebrating a wide array of cultures and ethnicities, including Italian, Puerto Rican, Black, Japanese, Dominican Republic, Korean and Irish. Conspicuously absent - especially for a team in New York which has the largest Jewish community outside of Israel - is a night that honors and celebrates Jewish culture and heritage.

We recognize that the team has shown its support for the Jewish community in other ways, including by offering a variety of kosher food options at Citi Field and even kosher for Passover options for the holiday last month. Indeed, the Mets previously hosted a Jewish Heritage Day at Citi Field as recently as 2023, shortly before the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023.

Since the massacre, antisemitism has frighteningly surged, including in New York. Hatred expressed towards Jews, and acts of violence against Jewish, are all too often shockingly and disgracefully tolerated, legitimized, and even celebrated.

It is thus imperative that we take every opportunity to fight this hated and bigotry and shine a proud and positive light on Jewish culture, including at the ballpark. As a Jewish American, you can appreciate the critical importance of these efforts. As the owner of the Mets team, you have the power and authority to implement them at Citi Field.

Please add a night to the 2026 schedule where Mets baseball meets Jewish pride. You will send an important and necessary message to the team’s Jewish and non-Jewish fans, to baseball fans everywhere, and to the people of New York.

Thank you for considering our concerns. We look forward to your response.

Very truly yours,

Morton A. Klen

ZOA National President

Susan B. Tuchman, Esq.

Director, ZOA Center for Law & Justice