Read CJJ's statement following the murder of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, two Israel Embassy staffers, in Washington, DC. 

We all deserve a future built on justice, not revenge. News of the murder of two Israeli Embassy aides at an event for young professionals and diplomats at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. last night is devastating. While entire families are being decimated, adding more senseless death will not heal anyone. 

This unjustifiable act of violence has left the families of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky in mourning and more people afraid for their safety. May their families be comforted among all those who mourn.

In the wake of this attack, many Jews are fearful of gathering in Jewish communal spaces and being visible as Jews. Through grief, we wrestle with the added fear that these murders will be used by politicians to justify further acts of violence and state repression.

We know this political violence will only harm efforts to end the unspeakable hunger in Gaza and the unprecedented violence and fear in Palestine and Israel. We are looking closely at details as they continue to emerge, but what we do know now is that no one is safer today — not any American, Jewish or otherwise, and not any Israeli or Palestinian.

May Sarah and Yaron’s memories be a blessing.

In Sarah’s own words, she was passionate about building peace. May this horrific act of violence not be used to deter this precious goal. May we fight harder: for the peace that is so very far away, for a permanent ceasefire and end to the genocide; for immediate aid to Gaza; the release of the hostages; and an end to antisemitism, racism, violence, and dehumanization.

We implore all people of conscience to join us in both our mourning and these urgent calls to action. 

Zichronam livracha. 

In this turbulent time of immeasurable grief and mounting fear, we offer these words from Rabbi Mike Rothbaum: 

Sarah Milgrim worked on peace and reconciliation.

Yaron Lischinsky has roots in both the Christian and Jewish worlds.

(“The memory of the righteous is for a blessing” — Proverbs 10:7)

God, let this latest chapter in this unending nightmare finally teach us some humility — that targeted violence is rarely precise, vengeance is a hydra that serves no master, and supposed justifications tend to dissolve in the tears of grieving parents.

May God free Israel and Palestine from this hellish cycle.

Amen.