Latest news with #YaronLischinsky
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Coverage of pro-Palestinian protest was dangerously sanitized
May 30—I was deeply disappointed by your May 21 article, "Police arrest 20 pro-Palestinian protesters in Old Port." Public protest is a cornerstone of democracy and criticism of any government — including Israel's — is fair and necessary. But the coverage of this protest was not fair. It was selective, incomplete and dangerously sanitized. While the article quoted signs critical of Israel and cited multiple reports portraying Israeli actions harshly, it omitted that protestors were chanting "From the river to the sea," a slogan widely recognized as a call for the elimination of Israel as a Jewish state. Including some slogans while omitting that slogan amounts to whitewashing rhetoric that crosses the line from protest into hate. There is a staggering hypocrisy in accusing Israel of genocide while calling for the destruction of the world's only Jewish state. This wasn't just a call for humanitarian aid — it was defined by inflammatory, extremist language that contributes directly to rising antisemitic violence. We saw that reality hours later, when Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, two Israeli embassy staffers, were gunned down outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., reportedly by an assailant shouting "Free Palestine." That didn't happen in Gaza or Tel Aviv, it happened on American soil, and it was fueled by the very hate, on our streets, your paper chose to ignore. By omitting the most provocative chant and offering no Jewish perspective, the Press Herald didn't just report incompletely — it helped normalize hate. Justin Schair Freeport Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Capital Jewish Museum reopens with tribute to slain couple
WASHINGTON - The Capital Jewish Museum reopened its doors Thursday, just over a week after a deadly shooting outside its entrance. The Brief Museum reopens after deadly shooting outside its entrance. Leaders honor victims Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim in a tribute. Security remains tight, memorial book set up inside. City officials and faith leaders gathered for a tribute honoring the victims - Israeli Embassy staffers Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26. The couple, who were set to become engaged this week, were killed in the attack. READ MORE: Hundreds attend memorial for Israeli Embassy workers killed What they're saying "I believe strongly, and I have said often, it is not up to the Jewish Community to say, 'support us.' It is up to all of us to denounce antisemitism in all forms," said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. READ MORE: 'Did it for Gaza:' Capital Jewish Museum shooting suspect Imam Talib Shareef of Masjid Muhammad echoed the sentiment, saying, "Understand, that it doesn't matter who an attacker or attackers are — or what they claim — their actions are criminal, inhumane and not condoned." Security remains tight at the museum, and a book for visitors to leave messages in memory of Lischenski and Milgrim has been set up inside. READ MORE:Capital Jewish Museum reopens as community continues to mourn couple killed The Source Information in this article comes from The Associated Press, the Capital Jewish Museum, and previous FOX 5 reporting.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
The God Squad: Forgiving the DC shooter
How strange and chilling it is that my introduction last week of the issue of unconditional forgiveness this week has a tragic echo in the news of the brutal murder of two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington – Sarah Milgrim, 26, and Yaron Lischinsky, 30, who were attending an American Jewish Committee event on Middle East cooperation. I brought up the issue of unconditional forgiveness as a remembrance and tribute to Father Tom who believed deeply in it as a foundational belief of Christianity. I would push back at him with the contrary Jewish belief that only repentant sinners need to be forgiven. Now we have a bloody and agonizing test case for what had been just an abstract and theoretical topic. Now we have the issue before our souls. Do we have a spiritual obligation to forgive that clearly unrepentant murderer who was dragged away screaming his hateful antisemitic slogans? Not only can I not forgive him, I want his soul to rot in hell, and this has nothing to do with the fact that I am a rabbi and he killed Jews. I felt the same thing after the 2015 murder of nine Christians at a church Bible study group at the Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, S.C. and yet the families of those victims found it in their hearts to forgive that predator. Tommy admired them. I was bewildered by them. What does it mean, I must ask, to forgive someone who was happy to murder? Doesn't it mean on some level that you are forgiving not just the murderer but also the murder? How can one forgive the killer without also forgiving the killing? I just cannot fathom what it means to forgive someone who luxuriates in their sin. That is where I am at. That is what my faith teaches. However… Interfaith dialogue of the type that forged my friendship with Father Tom requires that you remain open to the possibility that you are wrong or at the very least open to the possibility that viewing things from another perspective might bring you a wisdom that has eluded you in your inherited teachings and could nourish you in your future spiritual growth. So I can say that I am open to at least considering what it would mean to transform vengeance into love? I am open to the argument that unconditional forgiveness deprives the sinner of exactly what he or she wants most and that is to crush your spirit and poison your soul? Seen in that way, forgiveness becomes the best revenge. The forgiveness allows you to swim in the waves of the world without also trying to hold onto a heavy rock of anger, hatred and vengeance that will surely pull you down under the waves unless and until you just let it go. Where do you stand, my dear readers, on this bloody dilemma? Like so many of you, a reader named J wrote to me with her eloquent beliefs about unconditional forgiveness: Dear Rabbi Marc, with regard to your piece On unconditional forgiveness, I shall quote a saying that's on my refrigerator door. 'Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could be any different.' I'm on the side of the repentant with a look toward the future where perhaps one would sin no more. As imperfect human beings, that probably won't happen but my prayers are always full of hope! Well said. God bless you, dear J. As for me and as for now, I am willing to consider the possibility that such unconditional forgiveness might be an aspirational value. That is, it might be a belief you could hope to embrace someday, even if you are unable to embrace it now. That is as close as I can get to Tommy's saintly love. However, now I am furious and frightened at the rise of antisemitism in our world, our universities and our culture. I am consumed by trying to figure out how our country can find a balance between free speech that must be protected and hate speech that must be contained and confronted. Wiser minds than mine must put an end to this. I want to be able to enter a classroom or a synagogue or a meeting hall without having to first encounter an armed guard. I want to be able to write back to the college kids from my synagogue who wrote to me during some campus demonstrations, 'Rabbi Gellman, should I wear my Jewish star necklace in public?' I want to write back to them, despite my fears for their safety, 'YES. Wear your Star of David and wear it with pride!' While we debate forgiveness let us find a way to live together in peace.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Capital Jewish Museum reopens after deadly shooting
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Just over a week after a deadly shooting outside its entrance, the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., reopened its doors Thursday in a somber ceremony honoring the two lives lost. The victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, both young Israeli embassy staffers, were fatally shot by a gunman near the museum's entrance last week. The attack sent shockwaves through the local community and reignited concerns about rising antisemitism across the country. A reflective crowd gathered for the museum's reopening, where mourners joined in song and shared memories of the fallen diplomats. 'We gather today under the shadow of immense grief,' said Chris Wolf of the museum's board of directors. 'Two individuals dedicated to the ideals this museum stands for.' Community members, city leaders, and diplomats paid tribute while grappling with the gravity of the violence. 'That an attack could happen like this in our nation's capital… it's truly a wake-up call,' said Sus Stoloff, a longtime Washington resident. 'We've been shouting it out for a while.' D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser emphasized the need for unity and vigilance. 'Keep showing up for the Jewish community and to keep showing up for the Capital Jewish Museum,' she said. The newly appointed Interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, Jeanine Pirro, pledged swift justice in the case. 'This will not go without just accounting. No more tolerance of hatred. No more mercy for criminals,' Pirro stated. As the museum reopens, its leaders say they will honor Lischinsky and Milgrim through a dedicated memorial and continued education efforts aimed at combating hate. The investigation into the attack is ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Capital Jewish Museum reopens week after Israeli Embassy staffers killed
WASHINGTON () — Leaders from several faiths helped reopen the Capital Jewish Museum in Downtown D.C. Thursday morning, one week after two Israeli Embassy staffers were gunned down outside. Since last week's antisemitic attack after an event for young diplomats held at the museum, calls for peace came from Jewish leaders, and continued Thursday as the museum reopened its doors. Israeli Embassy suspect charged with murder of a foreign official 'Reopening is more than a ceremony, it's a defiant act of hope,' Rev. Thomas Bowen of Shiloh Baptist Church of Washington said during his remarks, prior to the official reopening. Flowers remain outside the museum to honor Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, a young couple who were soon expected to be engaged. Seven days after the pair were killed, grief continues to grip the Jewish community — including for Dr. Beatrice Gurwitz, the museum's executive director. 'I'm devastated, and I think we are all devastated, Gurwitz said. 'When you face antisemitic violence that grows out of dehumanization of the Jewish people, and we are telling stories of Jewish and the richest diversity of the Jewish world and that seems essential and I hope people will join us in visiting the museum.' The shooting suspect, 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez, of Chicago, was chanting 'free Palestine' as he was being taken into custody by police. 'It doesn't matter who the attacker or attackers are, or what they claim, their actions are criminal, inhumane, and not condoned in neither Islam, Christianity, Judaism, or other beautiful faith communities,' Imam Talid Shareef of Masjid Muhammad, The Nation's Mosque said. Who were the victims of the shooting outside the DC Jewish Museum? Chris Wolf, president of the museum's board of directors, said future work being done at the museum will be dedicated to the memories of Lischinsky and Milgrim. 'Our celebration of Judaism and all it has contributed to society is perhaps the best antidote to antisemitism,' Wolf said. 'May we all do our part to rid our communities of hatred and violence,' said Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. 'Help us to see one another in your eyes, and to live in hope of that day where there will be peace in this and every land.' Rodriguez faces murder charges and is slated to appear in court on June 18. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
