The whole episode sounds contrived. People attacking folks for sayin Happy Hanukkah?
So who contrived it? The NY Post? The Jewish guy? Or were they in cahoots?
You have obviously never ridden the New York City subway system. You can get attacked for looking at someone or for nothing at all. It's an unwritten rule to make every effort to avoid eye contact on the subway and if you do, to look away as quickly as possible. I'm not kidding. It's probably a lot better than it was when I lived in the city during the 80's but when I go back from time to time, the rules still apply.