Antisemitic Attack Kills Messianic Jewish Bridge-builder

The Story: Two Israeli embassy staffers—including one who was a Christian—were killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, earlier this week in what authorities describe as an antisemitic attack by a pro-Palestinian gunman.

The Background: Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, were shot at close range while attending an American Jewish Committee event for young diplomats.

Lischinsky was a German-born Israeli citizen of Jewish heritage who served in the Israel Defense Forces and held a master’s degree in government, diplomacy, and strategy from Reichman University. He worked as a research assistant in the political department of the Israeli embassy in Washington, focusing on Middle East affairs and fostering diplomatic relations.

Lischinsky was a Messianic Jew—a believer in Jesus as the Messiah—who actively participated in interfaith dialogue and was dedicated to bridging cultural and religious divides. He was born to a Jewish father and Christian mother, and he moved to Israel at 16. There, he joined Melech Ha’Mlachim (“King of Kings” in English), a Messianic congregation in Jerusalem. According to a friend who attended the same congregation, Lischinsky translated sermons for English-speaking visitors.

Ronen Shoval, dean of the Argaman Institute in Jerusalem, where Lischinsky had been a student, described the young man as “a devout Christian” who “tied his fate to the people of Israel.” Israel’s ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, also referred to him as a Christian.

Sarah Milgrim, 26, an American Jew from Overland Park, Kansas, was equally passionate about peace and diplomacy. With master’s degrees in international studies and sustainable development, she worked in the public diplomacy department of the Israeli embassy, organizing missions and events to promote understanding and cooperation.

Milgrim had a history of involvement in initiatives aimed at fostering Israeli-Palestinian dialogue, including her work with Tech2Peace, which brings together young Israelis and Palestinians for joint projects.

In 2014, when Milgrim was a teenager, a white supremacist shot and killed three people at Jewish institutions in her city. She was reportedly active in responding after swastikas were painted at her high school in 2017. As she told a local news station at that time, “I worry about going to my synagogue and now I have to worry about safety at my school and that shouldn’t be a thing.”

According to the Israeli ambassador, Lischinsky had purchased an engagement ring and planned to propose to Milgrim during an upcoming trip to Jerusalem.

Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar directly linked the attack to “toxic anti-Semitic incitement” proliferating since Hamas’s massacre on October 7, 2023. The gunman reportedly chanted “Free, free Palestine” following the shooting.

Why It Matters: The murder of Lischinsky and Milgrim is not only a personal tragedy but also a stark reminder of rising antisemitism and politically motivated violence. The targeting of Jewish individuals, including Messianic believers like Lischinsky, highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and advocacy against such hatred.

We should remember not to see this couple as faceless political figures. They were young people made in God’s image who had their futures stolen by ideological hatred. Their deaths remind us that every act of antisemitism targets real people: beloved children, hopeful partners, individuals created and cherished by their Creator.

Lischinsky’s identity as a Messianic Jew should also remind us of the bridge between the Jewish and Christian communities. His life and work exemplify the potential for unity and mutual understanding. His death calls Christians to stand in solidarity with the Jewish people, recognizing our shared heritage and the imperative to oppose all forms of bigotry.

Ultimately, our response to antisemitism flows from the gospel itself. Christ died for both Jew and Gentile, breaking down the “dividing wall of hostility” and creating “one new man” in his body (Eph. 2:14–15). The same gospel that reconciles us to God also reconciles us to one another across ethnic and cultural lines.

The man who killed Lischinsky and Milgrim also desperately needs this gospel. The good news of Jesus is the only message that has the power to free someone from such chains of hatred.

We should honor the memories of Lischinsky and Milgrim by continuing their work: advocating for peace, standing against antisemitism, and fostering relationships despite the differences that divide us.