Rabbi Howard Morrison

Remembering Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim

On Shavuot, we celebrate a number of themes: We call this holiday Chag Ha'Bikurim, the Festival of the first fruits. In addition, we associate the book of Ruth with Shavuot, the story of a Moabite young woman who followed her mother in law to Israel after both had lost their husbands.

On this day of Shavuot, we will recite Yizkor. As we think of the losses in our own families and the losses endured by the Jewish people over the last year and a half; today, we take note of two bikurim, two first fruits, young people, who lost their lives because of their love for Israel. In fact, like Ruth, who for most of her story was not Jewish but showed love for Israel and the Jewish people, Yaron Lischinsky was a Christian Zionist born in Germany and who loved Israel. For the terrorist shooter, Yaron's religious identity did not matter. The murderer shot a young man coming out of the Capital Jewish museum in Washington D.C. after an event sponsored by the American Jewish Committee. All that mattered to the terrorist was that he believed that this young man supported the State of Israel. What he did not know was that Yaron was trying to build bridges between diverse groups including Israel and Gaza. Yaron was a humanitarian and a peace activist. He lived a proud Israeli identity rooted in service and vision. He believed in peace, in the sacred work of dialogue and mutual respect. He died as a righteous gentile, reminding us of the many non-Jews who live in Israel and/or who simply love Israel. Yaron is remembered in our Yizkor service today.

Sarah Milgrim was also a builder of bridges. A passionate advocate for LGBTQ rights, for Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking, she was a public servant. Sarah group up in Kansas, where she and her family were active in a local Reform synagogue. Both, she and Yaron, were just beginning to establish careers working as staffers and future leaders for the Israeli embassy.

Notice that an evil person yelling "Free Free Palestine," harkening to the awful expression, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," ended up murdering a couple of real peaceniks - A young Christian man who loved Israel; a young Jewish woman who loved Israel. In fact, they were in love with each other. Evil does not distinguish between a secular or a religious Jew. Evil does not distinguish between a Jew or a non-Jew if either believes in the State of Israel. We as Jews mourn the deaths of both, Yaron and Sarah, who made the ultimate sacrifice because of Ahavat Yisrael, their genuine love for Israel. I continue to wonder, with minor exception, where is the Christian world? Why is it not standing in solidarity with large numbers next to the Jewish people? If Jews are the first target, Christians will be next, even if the killer did not know Yaron's religious identity.

As we soon recite Kaddish today for all who were near and dear to us, say your Kaddish also for Yaron and Sarah, who both believed and affirmed "Am Yisrael Chai."

May their memories and all the memories we cherish today be for a blessing - Yhi Zichram Baruch!

Rabbi Howard Morrison