Tragic Death of Israeli Embassy Staff Member

Sarah Milgrim, a staff member at the Israeli Embassy, was a passionate advocate against hate, particularly anti-Semitism, before her life was tragically cut short. She was killed in a terrorist attack outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.

At just 17 years old, Milgrim voiced her concerns about anti-Semitic messages and symbols, like swastikas, found in a storage area at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village, Kansas, in February 2017. “It’s so ignorant to lift such a symbol that causes pain to so many,” she told KSHB 41 in a recently resurfaced interview.

The graffiti included disturbing phrases like “East Love Nazi” and “Hilary won the LOL,” along with several swastikas drawn in black paint. Milgrim mentioned that the presence of such hateful messages made her fear for her safety, saying, “I’m worried about going to synagogue. I shouldn’t have to worry about safety at school.”

Her father, Robert Milgrim, noted that Sarah took these hateful incidents and sought to transform them into an opportunity to create positive change. “She tried to understand and make it a good example,” he said in an interview with KSHB.

A former Shawnee Mission South High football player was later identified and charged with vandalism related to the unfortunate incident.

After graduating high school, Milgrim went on to the University of Kansas, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies. She further pursued her education with a Master’s in International Affairs from American University and another Master’s in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development from the University for Peace in Costa Rica.

She began her role at the Israeli Embassy in October 2023, driven by her passion for learning, the environment, and Israel, as her father commented. Milgrim and her boyfriend, Jaron Lisinski, 28, were shot while walking in D.C. after attending an event for a young diplomat from the American Jewish Commission.

The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, approached the couple and others, subsequently firing 21 shots from a handgun. He has since been charged with multiple serious offenses, including first-degree murder and firearm violations, and faces severe penalties if convicted.

Milgrim had met Lisinski shortly after he joined the Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Bureau, and plans for their future together were already in the works. “They made each other very happy,” Robert Milgrim remarked, conveying how well-suited they were for each other.

A memorial honoring both Milgrim and Lisinski was set up outside the White House, reflecting the love and support shared among their community and friends in this sad time.