Hear Our Voice

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I am not a, “I told you so!” kind of guy. I like to find balance and agreement, compromise and the maintenance and strengthening of dialogue. I believe that the best of the Jewish spirit and the human spirit is borne out by the words of Rabbi Hillel, “Eilu v’eilu divrei Elohim Chayim,” “These and these are the words of the living God.” However, in order for this to work, both sides engaged in the conversation, have to at minimum commit themselves to the physical safety of the other – by word and by deed.

If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you may remember my recounting of a conversation with a former friend. I concluded my October 31, 2024 blog entitled, “But what if?” with these words:

All this is to say that yes, I am offended by your sign that states, “Stop the Zionist Genocide!” The main reason why I’m offended by the sign is because whether you intend for it to do so or not, it threatens my life and the life of my family and community, and frankly, yours. Due mostly to the outrageous and vitriolic rhetoric against Israel, and therefore Jews, any distinction between Zionism and Judaism has vanished. The violent language that has arisen, especially over this past year, has created a situation in which those prone to violence have been given the excuse. How do you act to make a difference against the “Zionist Pigs?” Hurt
a Jew. No matter how you slice it, that is what your sign is affirming and for which it has given permission.

As we awaken to the details of the tragic murders of two young employees of the Israeli Embassy in DC, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, I say to all those who try to claim that anti-Zionism isn’t anti-Semitism, “I told you so!”

As has been the case for 2000 years, the constant priming of the pump of Jew hatred can only “logically” lead to violence against Jews. Otherwise, upon whom does one pour out their violent rage?

Some might think that I’m being hyperbolic or overly sentimental to claim a connection to a perfect stranger. Like I’m overstating my point when I claim that violent words against Israel, put MY family at risk. We the Jewish people do see ourselves as part of
one big, often contentious but beautiful family. But it just so happens that I only need 3° of separation to be directly connected to one of the murdered young people at the AJC Event at the Capitol Jewish Museum in Washington DC last night. Sarah Lynn Milgrim was a college student at the University of Kansas and was very active at KU Hillel. Her Hillel Rabbi was Rabbi Neal Schuster, whom I have known since 1984 when we were CITs at Camp Swig. We haven’t stayed very close, but a very good friend of mine, Rabbi Mark Cohn (also a Swig alum) is closely connected to Neal through Mark’s wife, Rabbi Amy Wallk, who worked for many years in Kansas City, herself. Rabbi Neal led the Birthright Israel trip attended by Sarah Lynn Milgrim, z.l., and this is Neal’s reminiscence:

Thank you so much for texting. Just seeing your name pop up on my screen feels like a boost of nechemta. I did know Sarah, very well. I think the best thing I can do to express it is to share what I just wrote:

My heart aches in a way that I don’t know what to do with – and I can’t figure out if this photo makes it ache more, or less, or if I even want it to ache less.

I have always loved this photo.

I have always loved this photo in part because it’s a great picture, but mostly because it captures one of those great moments of connection, I was fortunate enough to share with Sarah.

I remember the moment perfectly. It was January 4, 2018, during the KU Hillel Birthright trip, and we had just come out of a tour at the Amiad Winery in northern Israel. It had rained while we were inside. On the way to the bus Sarah and I were marveling at how beautiful the flowers were, glistening with raindrops, each of us snapping away with our cameras, when we realized that, with her hat, she kind of looked like the flowers. She got such a kick out of that, and we had to take a “twins” picture.

There was something about this moment that was powerful – like Sarah had tucked away her characteristic wry smile and sharp wit and just experienced the pure uplift of witnessing beauty – and then becoming a part of that beauty.

I have always loved this photo, but I wish it could be just another photo of a student. Now I will treasure it differently – along with memories of our two trips to Israel, her participation in Rock Chalk Shabbat, her involvement in Hillel programs and events, and all the other moments of connection when I was fortunate enough to see what a remarkable and wonderful person she was.

To my old friend, Neal, to Amy and Mark, to Sarah’s parents and Yaron’s parents, to all those who knew and loved and cherished them, to all those who would have celebrated at their wedding, the proposal for which was due to happen next week, with the engagement ring in Yaron’s pocket when he died, find peace in time within this morass. And may those who scream violence against the Jewish state, based on false and diabolical pretense that will necessarily lead to violence against Jews, silence
themselves, or learn to engage in speaking Divrei Elohim Chayim, words of the living God.