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Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Sarah Milgrim's family says she was "striving for peace" before D.C. shooting
Sarah Milgrim's family says her life was full of love before she was fatally shot last month alongside her boyfriend Yaron Lischinsky outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The young couple, who both worked for the Israeli Embassy, were leaving a diplomatic event discussing how to get more aid into Gaza when they were killed. "She wasn't against the Palestinians. She wasn't against the people in Gaza. She was in all her heart working towards finding a way for everyone to live together peacefully," her mother, Nancy Milgrim, told CBS News as the family sat down for their first network TV interview since the fatal shooting. "Sarah molded us" Family members described Sarah as the "perfect child," a lover of the environment and people — especially her family and community. But something her father admired even more was her incredible strength. "You know, usually a parent tries to mold her child. Sarah molded us. She was a stronger person than I ever was," her father, Robert Milgrim, said of the 26-year-old, who grew up in Johnson County, Kansas. "I'm a different person now than before this happened… from learning so much about what Sarah did and her courage… and her striving for peace." Sarah Milgrim made several trips to Israel, first for her bat mitzvah in Jerusalem and again in college. Then she joined Tech2Peace, a work-study program for Israelis and Palestinians. She started working for the Israeli Embassy in November 2023 after graduating with a master's degree in International Affairs from American University, where she fell in love with Yaron. "We saw their love blossom for each other. And we knew how strong it was," her father said. It wasn't until after their deaths that the Milgrims learned the couple had even bigger life plans. Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., revealed that Lischinsky, 30, was planning to propose to Milgrim on their upcoming trip to Israel. In the days after the shooting, Sarah's mom also learned from a friend that Sarah went ring shopping to give Yaron some tips. "We didn't know that he was going to propose then," Mr. Milgrim previously told CBS News. "And the ambassador told us that he knew that he'd bought the ring and was going to present it to her in Jerusalem." "What does it accomplish?" Antisemitism and safety fears among Jewish-Americans rose in the U.S. following Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, taking 250 hostage and igniting a deadly war in the Gaza Strip. Protests over the Israel-Hamas war emerged in cities and college campuses across the country — with some ending in violence. On Sunday, at least 12 people were injured in an attack on a march in support of Israeli hostages at the outdoor Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado. Witnesses said the suspect hurled Molotov cocktails and was allegedly heard shouting "Free Palestine." Sarah Milgrim's alleged killer also shouted "Free, free Palestine" before he was taken into custody, according to law enforcement officials, who called it a targeted attack. Her older brother, Jacob, called the violence senseless. "There is nothing more important in Judaism than life and the sanctity of life — and to what end is this fighting and sacrifice? What does it accomplish?" he said. "Taking my sister ... it's not going to accomplish anything." Now Sarah Milgrim's family is left with a hole in their hearts. "Right now, I'm hurt. I'm too hurt to say it's anger or frustration. I don't know what I'm going to feel later on, to be honest with you," Mr. Milgrim said. The Milgrims are planning a trip to Israel in the fall to meet with Lischinsky's family and visit his grave. Watch more of CBS News' interview with the Milgrim family on the "CBS Evening News." January 6 defendant refuses Trump's pardon Sneak peek: Where is Jermain Charlo? Baldwin grills McMahon on unallocated funds for students, schools, approved by Congress
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Sarah Milgrim's family says she was "striving for peace" and urges end to violence: "What does it accomplish?"
Sarah Milgrim's family says her life was full of love before she was fatally shot last month alongside her boyfriend Yaron Lischinsky outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The young couple, who both worked for the Israeli Embassy, were leaving a diplomatic event discussing how to get more aid into Gaza when they were killed. "She wasn't against the Palestinians. She wasn't against the people in Gaza. She was in all her heart working towards finding a way for everyone to live together peacefully," her mother, Nancy Milgrim, told CBS News as the family sat down for their first network TV interview since the fatal shooting. "Sarah molded us" Family members described Sarah as the "perfect child," a lover of the environment and people — especially her family and community. But something her father admired even more was her incredible strength. "You know, usually a parent tries to mold her child. Sarah molded us. She was a stronger person than I ever was," her father, Robert Milgrim, said of the 26-year-old, who grew up in Johnson County, Kansas. "I'm a different person now than before this happened… from learning so much about what Sarah did and her courage… and her striving for peace." Sarah Milgrim made several trips to Israel, first for her bat mitzvah in Jerusalem and again in college. Then she joined Tech2Peace, a work-study program for Israelis and Palestinians. She started working for the Israeli Embassy in November 2023 after graduating with a master's degree in International Affairs from American University, where she fell in love with Yaron. "We saw their love blossom for each other. And we knew how strong it was," her father said. It wasn't until after their deaths that the Milgrims learned the couple had even bigger life plans. Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., revealed that Lischinsky, 30, was planning to propose to Milgrim on their upcoming trip to Israel. In the days after the shooting, Sarah's mom also learned from a friend that Sarah went ring shopping to give Yaron some tips. "We didn't know that he was going to propose then," Mr. Milgrim previously told CBS News. "And the ambassador told us that he knew that he'd bought the ring and was going to present it to her in Jerusalem." "What does it accomplish?" Antisemitism and safety fears among Jewish-Americans rose in the U.S. following Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, taking 250 hostage and igniting a deadly war in the Gaza Strip. Protests over the Israel-Hamas war emerged in cities and college campuses across the country — with some ending in violence. On Sunday, at least 12 people were injured in an attack on a march in support of Israeli hostages at the outdoor Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado. Witnesses said the suspect hurled Molotov cocktails and was allegedly heard shouting "Free Palestine." Sarah Milgrim's alleged killer also shouted "Free, free Palestine" before he was taken into custody, according to law enforcement officials, who called it a targeted attack. Her older brother, Jacob, called the violence senseless. "There is nothing more important in Judaism than life and the sanctity of life — and to what end is this fighting and sacrifice? What does it accomplish?" he said. "Taking my sister ... it's not going to accomplish anything." Now Sarah Milgrim's family is left with a hole in their hearts. "Right now, I'm hurt. I'm too hurt to say it's anger or frustration. I don't know what I'm going to feel later on, to be honest with you," Mr. Milgrim said. The Milgrims are planning a trip to Israel in the fall to meet with Lischinsky's family and visit his grave. Watch more of CBS News' interview with the Milgrim family on the "CBS Evening News."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘May your memory be a blessing for peace': Former colleague of Sarah Milgrim, victim of Jewish museum shooting victim, reflects on her life
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Former colleagues of Sarah Milgrim, one of the Israeli embassy staffers shot and killed in D.C. Wednesday, shared their memories of her. They tell DC News Now she wanted to build a better future for Israelis and Palestinians. 'Obviously shock and disbelief,' said Jake Shapiro, a former colleague of Sarah Milgrim. Those were Shapiro's first thoughts once he heard Milgrim, someone he knew, was one of the embassy staffers killed near the Jewish Museum on Wednesday night in DC. 'Act of terrorism': DMV, world leaders react to fatal shooting of couple working at Israeli embassy in DC 'I started looking at pictures with Sarah, just remembering the good times and the hard times and all the work that she did to try to avoid this exact reality,' Shapiro said. A reality Shapiro said cannot be avoided. 'This conflict is everywhere. There's no running from it. We can't ignore it. We can't hide from it. Israeli and Palestinian lives are being taken all over the world,' Shapiro said. He said he worked directly with Sarah at Tech2Peace, an Israeli Palestinian peace building organization. He shared with DC News Now what he remembered about Milgrim's character. 'Sarah was bright, shining, so eager to help with anything. She came full of energy. and goodwill and purpose. and she really wanted to make a better future for both sides in this conflict,' he said. 'Death penalty eligible case': Suspect charged in shooting that killed two Israeli Embassy staff members, officials say The Israeli ambassador said Sarah Milgrim was about to be engaged to Yaron Lischinsky before the tragedy happened. 'Even more of a tragedy in advance of this celebration of the rest of her life that was supposed to happen,' said Shapiro. 'One tiny bright spot in all of this is seeing both Israeli and Palestinian people sending their condolences, sending messages and remembering her together. Just shows we can grieve for each other, and we can care for each other,' he added. Milgrim and Lischinsky were killed while leaving an event at a Jewish museum. The suspect was heard yelling 'Free Palestine' as he was arrested. DC News Now's Tosin Fakile asked Shapiro what his message to world leaders would be 'End this madness. End the violence. It's not serving anyone. It's not in anyone's interest. Violence begets violence. There must be another way,' said Shapiro. Shapiro said he hadn't spoken to Milgrim in a couple of years, but his message to her would be; 'Thank you, Sarah, for being a champion of peace and a good person in this world. You're missed and remembered, and may your memory be a blessing for peace,' said Shapiro. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israeli museum victim 'was planning to propose'
Yaron Lischinsky was preparing to propose to his girlfriend Sarah Milgrim. He had just bought an engagement ring, and planned to ask on a trip to Jerusalem next week. But on Wednesday night in Washington, they were shot dead by a man who shouted "free Palestine" outside the Capital Jewish Museum as they left an event billed by organisers as a discussion of the Gaza crisis that aimed to "turn pain into purpose". Their deaths have shocked colleagues at the Israeli embassy, sparked international outrage and prompted Israeli leaders to blame "rising hostility" and antisemitism after Hamas attacked the country on 7 October, 2023. The ambassador in Washington Yechiel Leiter, paid tribute to the pair as a "beautiful couple". They were "to be engaged", he said. "The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem." Sarah Milgrim's father Robert said his family loved Mr Lischinsky, and that the couple were due to go to Israel on Sunday to meet his family, he told the BBC's US partner CBS News. Mr Lischinsky, 28, worked in the embassy's political department while Ms Milgrim, 26, had been a part of the public diplomacy department for a year and a half. He was a German-born Israeli citizen, served three years in the Israel Defence Forces and held a master's degree in government diplomacy and strategy from Reichman University. He described himself on LinkedIn as "proud to call both Jerusalem and Nuremberg home" and as a wanting to "expand the circle of peace with our Arab neighbour". Friends told the BBC that Mr Lischinsky was a Christian with great belief in Israel. Jenny Havemann, from Ra'anana, Israel, and said he was a "nice, modest calm and friendly" man, "a part of a Christian Zionist group, and he was very into bringing Germans and Israelis together". Ronen Shoval, another friend described him as "a very devout Christian" who had moved to Israel from Germany. Many people wanted to understand his background. He was a serious Christian believer." Sarah Milgrim "loves Israel and she loved everybody that lived in the Middle East", her father Robert said. She spent several summers in Israel working "with Palestinian and Israeli groups to bring them together", including with Tech2Peace, an advocacy group training young Palestinians and Israelis and promoting dialogue between them. "She had a lot of close Palestinian friends, as well as many Israeli friends," he said. Tech2Peace said Ms Milgrim was an active volunteer who "brought people together with empathy and purpose". "Her dedication to building a better future was evident in everything she did," it said. "Her voice and spirit will be profoundly missed." According to her LinkedIn profile, Ms Milgrim had master's degrees in international studies from the American University and another in natural resources and sustainable development from the UN University for Peace, as well as a bachelor's in environmental studies from the University of Kansas. The Israeli embassy said that its "entire staff is heartbroken and devastated" by the couple's deaths. "No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this terrible loss." The shooting has led to heightened security at Israeli diplomatic missions around the world. The deaths come as the war in Gaza enters is nineteenth month, following the Hamas-led assault of 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. Since then, Israel's military response has killed more than 53,000 people in Gaza, many of them women and children, according to the territory's health ministry. Aid agencies and foreign governments, including Britain, have warned of an escalating humanitarian catastrophe, with famine looming. Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, is in custody and being questioned over Mr Lischinsky and Ms Milgrim's deaths. Two Israeli embassy staff killed and suspect in custody after Washington DC shooting What we know about Israeli embassy staff shooting
