Apr 13, 2024

Statement on Antisemitic Shooting in Washington, DC

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation, its Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami (RAGM) are shocked and devastated by the antisemitic murders of two Israeli Embassy employees – Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim – at a Jewish community event in Washington, DC last night. We are grateful for the swift response of law enforcement, whose presence at the event prevented the attack from becoming an even greater tragedy.  

We are outraged that the shooter committed these atrocities in the name of Gaza and the Palestinian people. This targeted attack is just another piece in a mountain of conclusive evidence that the severe worldwide increase in overt, anti-Jewish violent acts and Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 terror attack against Israel are directly and strongly correlated. Evil people around the world are justifying violent acts of hate against Jews and Israelis as Palestinian solidarity. 

We stand in solidarity, in anger, and in mourning with Washington’s Jewish and Israeli communities. And we persist. Miami’s Jewish community is among the proudest, most resilient, most Zionistic in the country. We will not be intimidated by terrorists or terrorism. We will continue to live openly and proudly as Jews, to gather in community, and to unabashedly support Israel and her right to exist as a Jewish, democratic state. 

We are coordinating with local law enforcement, who have informed us that there are no known additional threats to the South Florida Jewish community at this time. We will continue to stay diligent, to communicate with law enforcement, and to keep you informed. 

May the memories of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, z”l forever be a blessing. 

Am Yisrael Chai.