May 22, 2025

We, the undersigned Vermont Jewish organizations, are united in grief and outrage over the tragic murder of two young Jewish Israelis, Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, in Washington, DC. This senseless act of violence has reverberated through our communities in Vermont and across the country, filling us with sorrow, fear, and righteous anger.

We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of Sarah and Yaron. Their lives were stolen in an act of brutality that has no justification, and we mourn with all who are grieving this profound loss.

As Jewish communities, we understand all too well the consequences of hate left unchecked. Violent rhetoric breeds violent action. We must honor the memory of Sarah and Yaron not only through mourning, but by redoubling our commitment to confront antisemitism in all its forms — boldly, clearly, and together.

We affirm the hope for a peaceful and secure future for both Israelis and Palestinians. But the individual who committed this heinous crime was not acting in pursuit of peace or justice. He was fueled by extremism, by an ideology of hate that must be named and opposed wherever it appears.

This ideology is not abstract. We have seen it take root here in Vermont — in rhetoric that dehumanizes Jews, in acts of intimidation, and in efforts to silence or isolate members of our community. The threat is real, and the impact is deeply personal.

Today, we mourn. Tomorrow, we act. We call on all people of conscience to join us in standing against antisemitism, in all political spaces and from all ideological corners. Antisemitism is not a partisan issue. It is a human issue. And confronting it is a moral imperative we must face together.

Let us choose unity over division, compassion over cruelty, and courage over silence. In the face of tragedy, let us build bridges of understanding and resilience.

May the memory of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky be a blessing — and may their loss strengthen our shared resolve to build a world rooted in peace, dignity and safety for all.

Rabbi Michael Cohen; Rabbi David Edleson, Temple Sinai; Rabbi David Fainsilber, Jewish Community of Greater Stowe; Rabbi Amita Jarmon, Brattleboro Area Jewish Community; Rabbi Aaron Philmus, Ohavi Zedek Synagogue; Rabbi Seth Daniel Riemer; Rabbi Ellie Shemtov, Rutland Jewish Center; Rabbi Tobie Weisman, Jewish Communities of Vermont; Debora Steinerman – Vermont Holocaust Memorial; Matt Vogel – UVM Hillel; Ilana Siegelman, President Shalom Alliance; Mike Kanarick, Co-founder Shalom Alliance; Yoram Samets, Co-founder Shalom Alliance