FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2025
JCRC Bay Area is shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific act of violence that took place outside the Lillian & Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night. The senseless killing of two Israeli Embassy staff members attending an event for young Jewish professionals is a tremendous tragedy, and our hearts go out to their families, loved ones, and colleagues during this time of unimaginable grief.
The victims have been identified as a young couple, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim. May their memories be a blessing. Lischinsky was Israeli, and also held German citizenship, and Milgrim was Jewish American.
According to reports from the Metropolitan Police Department, the suspect, now in custody, made statements referencing “Free, free Palestine” and reportedly claimed he “did it for Gaza.” While law enforcement officials have confirmed there is no ongoing threat to public safety, such rhetoric and violence are both deeply disturbing and unacceptable.
For many months, we have expressed grave concern about the increasingly inflammatory and violent rhetoric directed at Israelis and Jews around the world in the wake of the war in Gaza. Instead, these chants and phrases have become increasingly normalized, with devastating consequences. There is an unquestionable rise in antisemitism in America today, backed both by public polling and hate crimes data collection from law enforcement.
We join voices from around the world in unequivocally condemning yesterday’s attack. We are closely monitoring the situation and will keep our community informed as relevant details become available. While initial details don’t suggest a wider threat, it has never been more important for leaders and communities to stand together against hate, violence, incitement and antisemitism in all its forms.
JCRC Bay Area is undeterred in our commitment to addressing the misunderstanding of Jews, Jewish identity, Israel, and tackling the spread of antisemitism. Together with our civic partners, we are working to ensure Jews continue to thrive in the Bay Area and our country for generations to come.
About JCRC:
JCRC Bay Area is the largest collective voice of Bay Area Jews, working in pursuit of a more just world where Jewish identity is embraced and all people thrive. By building bridges and working in coalition with diverse ethnic, faith, political, and civic communities, we foster partnerships, provide meaningful educational and engagement opportunities, and build consensus for actionable solutions to real-world challenges. www.jcrc.org.
