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Neta Meltzer
Executive Director
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American Jewish Committee (AJC) mourns the devastating loss of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, cherished members of the AJC community, who were murdered outside of the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., last night following AJC’s annual Young Diplomats Reception.
“Sarah and Yaron were stolen from us,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch. “Moments before they were murdered, they were smiling, laughing, and enjoying an event with colleagues and friends. We are in shock and heartbroken as we attempt to process this immense tragedy.”
Sarah, an American Jew from Overland Park, Kansas, was warm and compassionate, committed to peacebuilding and passionate about sustainability and people-to-people relations. She was engaged with AJC as a lay leader of AJC ACCESS, AJC’s Young Professional Division, and was a beloved member of the AJC-Mimouna Michael Sachs Fellowship for Emerging Leaders community, where she joined other American, Israeli, French, and Moroccan leaders focused on advancing relations in the Middle East and North Africa.
Yaron always had a smile on his face and a welcoming presence. As a staff member of the Political Department at the Embassy of Israel focused on Middle East issues, he attended numerous AJC events throughout his time in Washington. At last night’s event, he shared how excited he was to be going back home to spend the Jewish holiday of Shavuot with his family in Israel.
Words cannot adequately express our sorrow. We mourn with Sarah and Yaron’s families, their friends, and all who loved them. May their memories be a blessing.
The event was organized by AJC ACCESS, AJC’s young professional division, which empowers Jewish leaders to advocate on behalf of critical domestic and global issues facing the Jewish community. This annual reception brings together Jewish young professionals (ages 22–45) and diplomats from around the world. At this year’s event, attendees heard from members of the Multifaith Alliance and IsraAID on humanitarian diplomacy and how a coalition of organizations - from the region and for the region - are working together in response to humanitarian crises throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
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