Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, both staffers at the Israeli Embassy, were tragically killed on Wednesday evening just days before Lischinsky was to propose to Milgrim. The couple was shot as they left a reception for young diplomats at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The suspect reportedly confessed to the crime, claiming he acted "for Palestine," and he has been charged with murder without entering a plea.
Milgrim, 26, originally from Overland Park, Kansas, had dedicated her career to fostering peace and addressing climate change, according to those who knew her. A bright and passionate individual, she was remembered for her love of Judaism and her commitment to positive change. Lischinsky, 30, an Israeli citizen with roots in Germany, had a deep attachment to Israel and worked towards bridging cultural divides. He had recently purchased an engagement ring and was ready to propose during an upcoming trip to Jerusalem.
Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter described them as "a young couple with a bright future, planning their life together." Lischinsky had grown up partly in Nuremberg, Germany, before moving to Israel at age 16. He served in the Israeli military and dedicated his life to the country. He held a master's degree in government, diplomacy, and strategy from Reichman University, where he was admired for embodying Judeo-Christian values and for his commitment to interfaith dialogue and cultural understanding.
Lischinsky worked as a research assistant at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, focusing on Middle Eastern trends and advocating for deeper ties between Israel and the Arab world, particularly through the Abraham Accords. His social media bio included a yellow ribbon symbolizing solidarity with hostages taken during the recent Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Milgrim also shared this symbol on her Instagram, alongside a Hebrew passage from the Book of Deuteronomy that calls for justice.
Milgrim's journey began in Kansas, flourishing at the University of Kansas, where she graduated with a degree in environmental studies in 2021. She became an integral part of her Jewish community, known for her warmth and passion for bringing people together. Following her graduation, Milgrim worked in Tel Aviv, focusing on technology training and conflict dialogue programs for young Palestinians and Israelis. She later joined the Israeli Embassy, where she organized events promoting Israel's contributions to environmental sustainability.
Colleagues and friends remember Milgrim as exceptionally talented and driven. She recently collaborated with philanthropist Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on climate-related initiatives just a week before her untimely death. A vigil for Milgrim gathered a standing-room-only crowd in her hometown, demonstrating the profound impact she had on her community. Friends described her as thoughtful, kind, and a fierce advocate for peace, with a unique ability to bring different people together.
Both Lischinsky and Milgrim’s tragic deaths have shocked many, especially as they were engaged in efforts aimed at promoting peace and understanding. Sheila Katz, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, highlighted Milgrim’s involvement in interfaith and multi-community collaborations. She noted how Milgrim was studying the effects of friendships between Arabs and Israelis in promoting peace, emphasizing the irony of her fate in the context of her life's work.
