An assistant manager of a Waterfront restaurant was fired Monday after his employer said he shared an anti-Semitic post on social media.
“I would like to sincerely apologize for the action of one of my employees. It is inexcusable and nothing can make up for it,” Jeff Kim, the owner of Yokoso Japanese Steakhouse in Homestead, wrote in a post shared to his restaurant’s Facebook page on Monday. “Please know that his comments and views do not reflect the values of the restaurant and its employees. His employment has been terminated.”
Kim wasn’t available when a Tribune-Review reporter called the restaurant Tuesday. Manager Sandra Berger identified the employee as Stephen Guyer.
She said Guyer shared a meme on his personal Facebook page that showed the interior of an oven and read “Jewish bunk beds for sale.”
Guyer, whose Facebook page said he lives in Munhall, told the Tribune-Review the message was a “huge mistake.”
“I can’t read real well and my eyes are very bad. I thought (the meme) was something about a Danish bunk bed,” Guyer wrote.
“My life has been ruined now. I would never disrespect Jewish people intentionally,” Guyer said, adding that he identifies as Judeo-Christian. “I love all people no matter their race, color or religion. I made a mistake and I’m very sorry for the outcome.”
Berger said staff found out about the post on Sunday, and Guyer was fired the following day.
She said Guyer’s post doesn’t reflect the views of the restaurant.
“That’s not how our restaurant thinks or feels or acts and nor do the other employees,” she said. “Everybody’s very highly upset about it. We did take swift action.”
In the Facebook post, Kim said no forms of discrimination or prejudice are tolerated at his restaurant.
“Yokoso is a family establishment, and everyone from all walks of life are welcome here,” Kim wrote. “Thank you for alerting us and holding our employee accountable, and continuing the fight against anti-Semitism. I recognize this cannot have been easy and am sorry for any pain that his actions or words have caused.”
