The Jewish Museum in the capital recently announced a significant grant aimed at enhancing its security measures after a troubling incident involving two Israeli Embassy employees.
Sarah Milgrim, who is set to get engaged next week to Yaron Lisinski, was shot on the street just after 9 p.m. on Wednesday. This occurred as she was leaving a reception hosted by the American Jewish Committee at the Washington, D.C. museum.
This week, the museum shared that it had received over $30,000 from the city to help address security costs, especially in light of safety concerns related to its new LGBT-focused exhibition.
Beatrice Gerwitz, the museum’s executive director, discussed the funding, emphasizing the need for security guards to ensure safety during emergencies. She noted the rising worries stemming from recent violent incidents and anti-Semitic sentiments facing various Jewish organizations.
Gerwitz mentioned that the museum heavily invests in security measures to welcome a broad audience. It’s just so important, especially now.
According to the D.C. police, the couple had been walking towards 575 Third Street NW, which is near the FBI Field Office, when the shooting occurred. The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, allegedly ran through the museum after discarding his gun, where he admitted to the crime while shouting “Free, free Palestine” during his arrest.
Wednesday’s event was notably the largest annual gathering of the AJC, attracting young Jewish professionals and members of the diplomatic community. The evening’s theme was “turning pain into purpose,” which centered on humanitarian diplomacy and responses to crises in the Middle East and North Africa.
