Below is select news coverage of Ben Schaeffer from both before and after his death. Just a few years before passing from COVID-19, Ben made the news for saving people’s lives and defending his religious rights.
DeJesus, Jamie. “Street co-named for MTA conductor.” Brooklyn Reporter, 9 May 2023, https://brooklynreporter.com/2023/05/street-co-named-for-mta-conductor/
Del Cerro, Ximena. “Subway hero Benjamin Schaffer commemorated with street co-naming ceremony.” Brooklyn Paper, 4 May 2023, https://www.brooklynpaper.com/subway-hero-benjamin-schaffer-commemorated-with-street-co-naming-ceremony/.
Boone, Ruschell. “Veteran MTA Conductor and Hero Dies From Coronavirus.” Spectrum News NY1, 1 May 2020, www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2020/05/01/veteran-mta-conductor-and-hero-dies-from-coronavirus.
Tapper, Jake. “An MTA conductor, a hospital worker: remembering some of those lost to COVID-19.” CNN, The Lead, 30 Apr. 2020, https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2020/04/30/lead-obit-jake-tapper-live.cnn .
Chasan, Aliza. “MTA Conductor Who Put ‘His Own Life at Risk’ for Passengers Dies of Coronavirus.” WPIX, 30 Apr. 2020, www.pix11.com/news/coronavirus/faces-of-the-pandemic/mta-conductor-who-put-his-own-life-at-risk-for-passengers-dies-of-coronavirus.
“Benjamin Schaeffer, 58, Hero Subway Conductor Who Battled Transit Authority over Jewish Holiday.” Jewish Telegraphic Agency, 30 Apr. 2020 www.jta.org/2020/04/30/bonds-of-life/benjamin-schaeffer-58-hero-subway-conductor-who-battled-transit-authority-over-jewish-holida.
Bandler, Aaron. “NYC Subway Conductor Who Thwarted Possible Terror Attack Dies From COVID-19” Jewish Journal, https://jewishjournal.com/news/united-states/314918/nyc-subway-conductor-thwarted-possible-terror-attack-dies-from-covid-19/
Crane-Newman, Molly. “Veteran MTA Conductor Who Once Saved Subway Passengers from Arsonist in Heroic Act Dies of Coronavirus.” New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2020, www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-coronavirus-veteran-mta-conductor-dies-20200429-ipwcbpl5lbc35htae7klbb4gta-story.html.
Culliton, Kathleen. “Hero Conductor Among 96 MTA Workers To Die From Coronavirus.” New York City, NY Patch, 29 Apr. 2020, patch.com/new-york/new-york-city/hero-conductor-among-96-mta-workers-die-coronavirus.
“Conductor: MTA discriminated by requesting proof he’s Jewish to take off Rosh Hashanah”, News 12 Brooklyn, https://brooklyn.news12.com/conductor-mta-discriminated-by-requesting-proof-hes-jewish-to-take-off-rosh-hashanah-4111278
“MTA officials ask Orthodox Jewish transit worker to prove he’s observing Rosh Hashanah: union”, New York Daily News, https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/ny-mta-religious-jewish-holiday-20190927-ee6jjsyo75c6tcwqnzuvig6alq-story.html
“Jewish Man Asked by MTA to Prove He Observes Rosh Hashanah for Day Off”, Spectrum News NY1, https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2019/09/28/jewish-man-asked-by-mta-to-prove-he-observes-rosh-hashanah-for-day-off
Siff, Andrew. “Fearing Explosion, Subway Conductor Quickly Evacuates Train As Passenger Pours Gasoline Inside.” NBC New York, 16 Oct. 2018, www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/subway-conductor-evacuates-train-after-gasoline-is-poured/1820367/.
“Muslims and Jews Celebrate Ramadan Together in Sheepshead Bay • Brooklyn Paper.” Brooklyn Paper, 21 May 2018, www.brooklynpaper.com/muslims-and-jews-celebrate-ramadan-together-in-sheepshead-bay/.
TWU Statements:
“Conductor Ben Schaeffer to be Honored by NY Transit Museum Historical Program”, www.twulocal100.org/story/tribute-ben-schaeffer-conductor-and-division-vice-chair-58.
“A Tribute to Ben Schaeffer, Conductor and Division Vice Chair, 58.” A Tribute to Ben Schaeffer, Conductor and Division Vice Chair, 58.”, www.twulocal100.org/story/tribute-ben-schaeffer-conductor-and-division-vice-chair-58.
“Urgent Call for Blood Donations for Ben Schaeffer, Fighting for his Life on a Ventilator” https://www.twulocal100.org/story/urgent-call-blood-donations-ben-schaeffer-fighting-his-life-ventilator
“NBC Report: Conductor Acted Fast to Mitigate Urgent Risk” https://www.twulocal100.org/story/nbc-report-conductor-acted-fast-mitigate-urgent-risk