Latest news with #CongregationBethTorah
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Funeral service held for Prairie Village woman killed in antisemitic shooting
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Twenty-six-year-old Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, a young couple set to be engaged, were killed last Wednesday in a suspected antisemitic attack in Washington D.C. Milgrim is a Prairie Village native who graduated from Shawnee Mission East. Israeli Ambassador travels to KC Metro to meet with Milgrim family People who knew Milgrim describe her as the kind of person who worked every day to make the world a better place. During her funeral services, loved ones promised to carry on Sarah's legacy of love and kindness, as well as her commitment to peace for all. 'Any funeral is hard, but when you have a 26-year-old really just emerging into the prime of her life, it was a really hard day, certainly for the family, but for the whole Kansas City Jewish community,' said Jewish Federation of Greater KC President Jay Lewis. 'Sarah worked so hard to build bridges and try to bring people together.' Milgrim and her boyfriend both worked for the Israeli Embassy to the United States at the time of their deaths. Their jobs were centered around bringing people together. 'Sarah's commitment to a third narrative, a concept in which, instead of violence and vengeance, she was focused on shared humanity and the mutual right to dignity. If you really cared and if you're about more than cancelling voices that made you uncomfortable, about more than shouting slogans and waving a gun, then damnit, why didn't you ask Sarah?' One funeral speaker said. 'We would like nothing more right now than to ask Sarah, to talk to Sarah, and learn from such a beacon of light amidst a world of darkness, we've been cheated out of the opportunity, and for the Milgrim family, they've been cheated out of so much more.' Lewis says Sarah's commitment to peace extended beyond her work; it was an integral part of her personality. 'That's what people can do is look to co-workers, neighbors, other people in their world, and reach out and develop relationships and develop a connection and try and develop an understanding that's the best way to carry on Sarah's legacy,' Lewis said. The outpouring of support and love for the Milgrim family has been overwhelming. As people showed up at Sarah's funeral, hundreds more watched through livestreams. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV 'In times of tragedy, there are no words that will make people feel better. There's no magic wand that you can wave. All you can do is just show up and be together and stand side by side and hug and cry, but just be in community. So it was a really powerful time today, and it just meant so much to so many of us that so many people came and wanted to be there,' Lewis said. Congregation Beth Torah and the Greater Kansas City Jewish Federation invite the community, regardless of denomination, to join them in rejecting violence in all its forms and to seek unity with compassion and understanding. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Private memorial held for Israeli Embassy staffer killed in DC ambush
Sarah Milgrim, one of two Israeli Embassy staffers fatally shot last week in an apparently politically motivated ambush in Washington, D.C., was remembered Tuesday during a private funeral in the Kansas community where she grew up. Milgrim, a 26-year-old from the Kansas City suburb of Prairie Village, Kansas, was leaving a reception for young diplomats at the Capital Jewish Museum alongside 30-year-old Yaron Lischinsky on May 21 when they were shot to death. A suspect, 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez, was arrested and shouted 'Free Palestine' as he was led away. Charging documents said he later told police, 'I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.' Lischinsky had bought an engagement ring before the shooting and was planning to propose to Milgrim in the coming days, those who knew the couple have said. Instead of an upcoming wedding, those close to Milgrim eulogized her at a private service Tuesday at Congregation Beth Torah in Overland Park, Kansas, the temple she attended as a child with her family. Rabbi Doug Alpert of Congregation Kol Ami in Kansas City, Missouri, gave an impassioned eulogy as scores of attendees sniffled and softly sobbed. Alpert first drew laughs as he relayed early childhood memories from her parents, Bob and Nancy Milgrim, including her love of hiding as a young child that earned her the label of 'sneaky.' They also recalled her as creative, funny and preternaturally empathetic to animals. She was a vegetarian for most of her childhood and once saved an abandoned baby bunny using her mother's oven mitts, which she promptly then returned to their kitchen drawer unwashed. But laughter soon turned to tears as Alpert noted the backlash Milgrim faced from strangers and even some acquaintances when she joined the Israeli Embassy staff and expressed her desire for a peaceful solution to end the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. 'We would like nothing more right now than to ask Sarah, to talk to Sarah, to learn from such a beacon of light amidst a world of darkness,' Alpert said. 'We've been cheated out of that opportunity. And for the Milgrim family, cheated out of so much more.' Milgrim's boss at the embassy, Sawsan Hasson, recounted how Milgrim championed women's and LGBTQ rights and always stuck to her mission of peace and bringing people together — especially those opposed to one another on religion, politics and ideology. 'This morning, you and Yaron were meant to be in Israel, celebrating with his family,' Hasson said. 'Instead, through an unthinkable tragedy, you have brought Israel here to Kansas to meet your own loving family in your hometown. Somehow, even in your passing, you have created connection and unity.' Milgrim earned a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from the University of Kansas in 2021. She was remembered as a warm, uplifting presence at Shabbat dinners and holiday gatherings at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life on campus. After graduating, Milgrim worked at at a Tel Aviv-based organization centered on technology training and conflict dialogue for young Palestinians and Israelis, according to her LinkedIn profile. She had been trained in religious engagement and peacebuilding by the United States Institute of Peace, an organization that promotes conflict resolution and was created by the U.S. Congress. After earning a master's degree in international affairs from American University in 2023, she went to work at the Israeli Embassy, where her job involved organizing events and missions to Israel. Milgrim would have been teenager when her Kansas community was rocked by another deadly antisemitic attack in 2014. Frazier Glenn Miller Jr., an avowed anti-Semite and white supremacist, fatally shot three people at two Jewish sites in Overland Park in April of that year. At his trial, Miller openly stated that he targeted Jews for death — though none of his victims were Jewish. Miller was convicted in August 2015 and later sentenced to death. Sheila Katz, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, last week lauded Milgrim for her work with women's groups, LGBTQ communities and multi-faith groups and said Milgrim was studying whether friendships between Arabs and Israelis could promote peace. 'We knew something like this could happen,' she said. 'I just don't think we thought it would happen to her.'
Politico
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Private memorial held for Israeli Embassy staffer killed in DC ambush
Sarah Milgrim, one of two Israeli Embassy staffers fatally shot last week in an apparently politically motivated ambush in Washington, D.C., was remembered Tuesday during a private funeral in the Kansas community where she grew up. Milgrim, a 26-year-old from the Kansas City suburb of Prairie Village, Kansas, was leaving a reception for young diplomats at the Capital Jewish Museum alongside 30-year-old Yaron Lischinsky on May 21 when they were shot to death. A suspect, 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez, was arrested and shouted 'Free Palestine' as he was led away. Charging documents said he later told police, 'I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.' Lischinsky had bought an engagement ring before the shooting and was planning to propose to Milgrim in the coming days, those who knew the couple have said. Instead of an upcoming wedding, those close to Milgrim eulogized her at a private service Tuesday at Congregation Beth Torah in Overland Park, Kansas, the temple she attended as a child with her family. Rabbi Doug Alpert of Congregation Kol Ami in Kansas City, Missouri, gave an impassioned eulogy as scores of attendees sniffled and softly sobbed. Alpert first drew laughs as he relayed early childhood memories from her parents, Bob and Nancy Milgrim, including her love of hiding as a young child that earned her the label of 'sneaky.' They also recalled her as creative, funny and preternaturally empathetic to animals. She was a vegetarian for most of her childhood and once saved an abandoned baby bunny using her mother's oven mitts, which she promptly then returned to their kitchen drawer unwashed. But laughter soon turned to tears as Alpert noted the backlash Milgrim faced from strangers and even some acquaintances when she joined the Israeli Embassy staff and expressed her desire for a peaceful solution to end the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. 'We would like nothing more right now than to ask Sarah, to talk to Sarah, to learn from such a beacon of light amidst a world of darkness,' Alpert said. 'We've been cheated out of that opportunity. And for the Milgrim family, cheated out of so much more.' Milgrim's boss at the embassy, Sawsan Hasson, recounted how Milgrim championed women's and LGBTQ rights and always stuck to her mission of peace and bringing people together — especially those opposed to one another on religion, politics and ideology. 'This morning, you and Yaron were meant to be in Israel, celebrating with his family,' Hasson said. 'Instead, through an unthinkable tragedy, you have brought Israel here to Kansas to meet your own loving family in your hometown. Somehow, even in your passing, you have created connection and unity.' Milgrim earned a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from the University of Kansas in 2021. She was remembered as a warm, uplifting presence at Shabbat dinners and holiday gatherings at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life on campus. After graduating, Milgrim worked at at a Tel Aviv-based organization centered on technology training and conflict dialogue for young Palestinians and Israelis, according to her LinkedIn profile. She had been trained in religious engagement and peacebuilding by the United States Institute of Peace, an organization that promotes conflict resolution and was created by the U.S. Congress. After earning a master's degree in international affairs from American University in 2023, she went to work at the Israeli Embassy, where her job involved organizing events and missions to Israel. Milgrim would have been teenager when her Kansas community was rocked by another deadly antisemitic attack in 2014. Frazier Glenn Miller Jr., an avowed anti-Semite and white supremacist, fatally shot three people at two Jewish sites in Overland Park in April of that year. At his trial, Miller openly stated that he targeted Jews for death — though none of his victims were Jewish. Miller was convicted in August 2015 and later sentenced to death. Sheila Katz, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, last week lauded Milgrim for her work with women's groups, LGBTQ communities and multi-faith groups and said Milgrim was studying whether friendships between Arabs and Israelis could promote peace. 'We knew something like this could happen,' she said. 'I just don't think we thought it would happen to her.'
Boston Globe
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Kansas community holds private memorial for Israeli Embassy staffer killed in Washington, D.C., ambush
Advertisement Instead of an upcoming wedding, those close to Milgrim eulogized her at a private service Tuesday at Congregation Beth Torah in Overland Park, Kan., the temple she attended as a child with her family. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up People gathered to light candles in a makeshift memorial to honor Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim on May 22. Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press Rabbi Doug Alpert of Congregation Kol Ami in Kansas City, Mo., gave an impassioned eulogy as scores of attendees sniffled and softly sobbed. Alpert first drew laughs as he relayed early childhood memories from her parents, Bob and Nancy Milgrim, including her love of hiding as a young child that earned her the label of 'sneaky.' They also recalled her as creative, funny, and preternaturally empathetic to animals. She was a vegetarian for most of her childhood and once saved an abandoned baby bunny using her mother's oven mitts, which she promptly then returned to their kitchen drawer unwashed. Advertisement But laughter soon turned to tears as Alpert noted the backlash Milgrim faced from strangers and even some acquaintances when she joined the Israeli Embassy staff and expressed her desire for a peaceful solution to end the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. 'We would like nothing more right now than to ask Sarah, to talk to Sarah, to learn from such a beacon of light amidst a world of darkness,' Alpert said. 'We've been cheated out of that opportunity. And for the Milgrim family, cheated out of so much more.' Milgrim's boss at the embassy, Sawsan Hasson, recounted how Milgrim championed women's and LGBTQ rights and always stuck to her mission of peace and bringing people together — especially those opposed to one another on religion, politics and ideology. 'This morning, you and Yaron were meant to be in Israel, celebrating with his family,' Hasson said. 'Instead, through an unthinkable tragedy, you have brought Israel here to Kansas to meet your own loving family in your hometown. Somehow, even in your passing, you have created connection and unity.' Milgrim earned a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from the University of Kansas in 2021. She was remembered as a warm, uplifting presence at Shabbat dinners and holiday gatherings at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life on campus. After graduating, Milgrim worked at a Tel Aviv-based organization centered on technology training and conflict dialogue for young Palestinians and Israelis, according to her LinkedIn profile. She had been trained in religious engagement and peacebuilding by the United States Institute of Peace, an organization that promotes conflict resolution and was created by Congress. After earning a master's degree in international affairs from American University in 2023, she went to work at the Israeli Embassy, where her job involved organizing events and missions to Israel. Advertisement Milgrim would have been teenager when her Kansas community was rocked by another deadly antisemitic attack in 2014. Frazier Glenn Miller Jr., an avowed anti-Semite and white supremacist, fatally shot three people at two Jewish sites in Overland Park in April of that year. At his trial, Miller openly stated that he targeted Jews for death — though none of his victims were Jewish. Miller was convicted in August 2015 and later sentenced to death. Sheila Katz, chief executive of the National Council of Jewish Women, last week lauded Milgrim for her work with women's groups, LGBTQ communities and multifaith groups and said Milgrim was studying whether friendships between Arabs and Israelis could promote peace. 'We knew something like this could happen,' she said. 'I just don't think we thought it would happen to her.'
Hamilton Spectator
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Kansas community holds private memorial for Israeli Embassy staffer killed in DC ambush
Family and friends of Sarah Milgrim, one of two Israeli Embassy staffers fatally shot last week in an apparently politically motivated ambush in Washington, D.C., gathered for her funeral Tuesday in the Kansas community where she grew up. Milgrim, a 26-year-old from the Kansas City suburb of Prairie Village, Kansas, was leaving a reception for young diplomats at the Capital Jewish Museum alongside 30-year-old Yaron Lischinsky on May 21 when they were shot to death. A suspect , 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez, was arrested and shouted 'Free Palestine' as he was led away. Charging documents said he later told police, 'I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.' Lischinsky had bought an engagement ring before the shooting and was planning to propose to Milgrim in the coming days, those who knew the couple have said. Instead of an upcoming wedding, those close to Milgrim prepared to eulogize her at a private service Tuesday at Congregation Beth Torah in Overland Park, Kansas, the temple she attended through high school with her family. Milgrim earned a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from the University of Kansas in 2021. She was remembered as a warm, uplifting presence at Shabbat dinners and holiday gatherings at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life on campus. 'She believed in connections, in building community and bringing people together,' Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel said in the days after her death. He also recalled that she 'was filled with so much love.' After graduating, Milgrim worked at at a Tel Aviv-based organization centered on technology training and conflict dialogue for young Palestinians and Israelis, according to her LinkedIn profile. She had been trained in religious engagement and peacebuilding by the United States Institute of Peace, an organization that promotes conflict resolution and was created by the U.S. Congress. After earning a master's degree in international affairs from American University in 2023, she went to work at the Israeli Embassy, where her job involved organizing events and missions to Israel. A vigil held in her hometown last week drew a standing-room only crowd, including her college roommate, Amanda Birger. Birger described Milgrim as an animal lover and a passionate advocate for the environment. 'She was very tactful about how she used her voice, which sometimes came off as cautious,' Birger said. 'But when it looked like she wasn't speaking up, it's because she was trying to keep the peace.' Milgrim would have been teenager when her Kansas community was rocked by another deadly antisemitic attack in 2014. Frazier Glenn Miller Jr., an avowed anti-Semite and white supremacist, fatally shot three people at two Jewish sites in Overland Park in April of that year. At his trial, Miller openly stated that he targeted Jews for death — though none of his victims were Jewish. Miller was convicted in August 2015 and later sentenced to death. Sheila Katz, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, lauded Milgrim as a point person for her organization with women's groups, LGBTQ communities and multi-faith groups. 'She accomplished so much in her short life, and she deserves to be remembered for all the things she brought to this world,' she said. Before her work at the embassy, Milgrim was studying whether friendships between Arabs and Israelis could promote peace, Katz said. 'We knew something like this could happen,' she said. 'I just don't think we thought it would happen to her.'
