Latest news with #JewishCommunityRelationsCouncilofGreaterWashington
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Hundreds attend memorial for Israeli Embassy workers killed outside Capital Jewish Museum
WASHINGTON - The D.C. community came together Wednesday night in unity, honoring the lives of two Israeli Embassy employees murdered last week at the Capital Jewish Museum. Hundreds gathered in solidarity with the Jewish community to remember the lives of the young couple. READ MORE:2 Israeli Embassy staff members killed in shooting outside DC's Capital Jewish Museum identified Security was incredibly tight—guests had to walk through metal detectors and canines were inspecting our equipment. It speaks to the level of heightened anxiety and the safety concerns from the Jewish community. It was a heartbreaking night of mourning this senseless killing but also an opportunity for the Jewish community to unite. The backstory One week ago, a night of hope turned into a night of violence and bloodshed in the streets of D.C. Two staffers at the Israeli Embassy, a young couple who were soon to be engaged were gunned down as they left a peace event at the Capital Jewish Museum. "How devastating to lose two young beautiful souls who dedicated their lives to building bridges. That's the irony of it all," said D.C. resident Vicki Meyouhls. The victims—30-year-old Yaron Lischinsky, a dual Israeli-German national, and 26-year-old American Sarah Milgrim—were remembered by name and legacy, bringing together a grieving yet resolute community. READ MORE: Two Israeli Embassy staffers fatally shot outside Capital Jewish Museum "We're at an inflection point. Anti-Semitism has been with us for a long time but can not be tolerated," said Ron Halber, CEO Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington. Speaker after speaker gave their sentiments, highlighting the resilience of the Jewish community and the need to do more to fight against hate. Big picture view MPD was out in full force and even D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith was there speaking about the increased patrols. "This is such a tragic incident. We're all healing. Anyone visiting our churches, mosques, and synagogues has the support of MPD," Smith said. The most emotional part of the evening, Sarah's father phoned in with a message of hope and peace. READ MORE: 'Did it for Gaza:' Capital Jewish Museum shooting suspect could face terrorism charges "Our hearts are broken. But Sara would not want our hearts to remain broken," he said. "She would want our hearts to mend so we can do what she set out to do—fight hate, fight antisemitism, create love, bridge gaps with all marginalized communities in the world." Dig deeper However, not all voices in attendance were focused solely on healing. Some speakers voiced frustration over the absence of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who was expected by many but did not attend. "I thought she would come here tonight and try to heal some wounds that were created only a few yards away by their indifference, and she didn't do it," said Rabbi Levi Shemtov. "So maybe Chief, with all due respect to you and to your force, I hope you'll tell the Mayor we're very disappointed she didn't come tonight." READ MORE:Israeli Embassy staffers killed: The final hours of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim FOX 5 reached out to the Mayor's office, which confirmed she was never officially scheduled for the vigil. However, officials stated she plans to attend the reopening of the Capital Jewish Museum set for Thursday. MPD has confirmed that officers will be present to ensure the safety of all attendees.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Just stunned': Montgomery County leaders react to deadly shooting of Israeli Embassy staffers in DC
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. () – Leaders in the Montgomery County Jewish community are devastated after a outside of the Capital Jewish Museum in D.C. on Wednesday night. 'I think everybody who I've spoken to and myself, is just stunned,' Ron Halber, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, said. 'The lives of a beautiful couple that was getting ready to get engaged was cut down short simply because they were Jewish and they decided that was a good enough reason to kill them.' 'Death penalty eligible case': Suspect charged in shooting that killed two Israeli Embassy staff members, officials say Halber said he didn't know the couple, but he knows their supervisor. 'They were both interested in peace work and making the world a better place and had such a wonderful, promising future,' he said. Halber said there has been a significant rise in acts of hate and antisemitism across the country for several years. 'I think people are more concerned than they were yesterday, and how can you blame them?' he said. The Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) hopes to alleviate some fears by increasing patrols around Jewish institutions. 'We will continue our operations in that until such time that we can feel confident that our community feels a little bit better,' MCPD Assistant Chief Darren Francke said. 'Act of terrorism': DMV, world leaders react to fatal shooting of couple working at Israeli embassy in DC Halber said he's thankful for MCPD's support but knows a more concrete security plan will be needed. 'One of the things that we're doing is trying to hire private armed security and that requires spending millions of dollars a year collectively,' he said. MCPD's increased patrols are expected to last at least through the end of the week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pope Francis remembered as champion of interfaith dialogue
WASHINGTON () — Jewish and Islamic organizations are paying their respects to the late Pope Francis, saying he was a champion for interfaith dialogue. Francis, 88, is being remembered by local Jewish and Islamic organizations in the DMV as a religious figure who was dedicated to bringing people of different faiths together. Vatican announces Pope Francis' funeral will be held Saturday During his final Easter address, the day before he passed, Francis called for a release of hostages and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, urging for a path to peace. 'Something that Pope Francis has been saying for a while,' said Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington. 'He was a tremendous advocate of interfaith dialogue, interreligious dialogue.' The passing of the Holy Father has sent shockwaves throughout the Catholic, Jewish and Islamic communities. 'I was deeply saddened to hear the news about the passing of Pope Francis, especially as we were reflecting on Easter Sunday and what it means not only to Christians and Catholics but all of us including Muslims because we believe in the prophecy of Jesus,' said Nahid Awad with the Council on American-Islamic Relations. 'Peace be upon him.' The Council on American-Islamic Relations praised the Pope for his condemnation of war crimes around the world, including in Gaza. 'He embodied the universal values of compassion and leadership, and he was not afraid to stand up and say what should be said by opposing war crimes and war,' Awad said. 'I'm emotional thinking about it': Sen. Tim Kaine recounts meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington also praised the Holy Father for expanding Catholic-Jewish relations and for condemning rising antisemitism. 'I have personally been in someways a benefactor of that in being able and being blessed to work with so many young Catholic leaders, emerging Catholic leaders in my generation who truly believe the Pope's messages of working together across divides, across religious divides and to be able to hear how and to be able to hear how they are mourning and be there for them has also been a blessing,' said Sharofsky. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception said it is planning a special mass this weekend in his honor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
