Antisemitic hate turns violent in the U.S.

Jewish Media Review - June 2025

I had been in Israel maybe 24 hours when I learned of the murder of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, two Israel embassy staffers gunned down in Washington D.C. It’s disorienting to learn that two people representing the country you are visiting were killed in your home country’s capital. Also, I had been in Washington D.C. the week before.

Later that morning a Jewish American-Israeli colleague said to me, “I know him. I know the family. They are believers.” The Lischinsky family is well known among the Messianic Jewish community in Israel. Rev. David Pileggi said Yaron’s father used to worship at Christ Church Jerusalem and work in the coffee shop. Yaron had come to David for advice.

It is astounding how many remembrances have been written about Yaron, a previously unknown Israeli diplomat. He seemed to leave an impression on everyone he met.

Then on the morning of Shavuot, I awoke to reports that a man in Boulder, Colo., had firebombed a peaceful walk in support of hostages held by Hamas. Witnesses reported the man threw Molotov cocktails and used a makeshift flamethrower. One of the victims who caught fire is a Holocaust survivor. How horrendous! Wrong. Sad. Heartbreaking.

This month’s media review will be mostly headlines about the two U.S. attacks.

The first story is an analysis via the Times of Israel on how the violent attacks in D.C. and Boulder show that words like “globalize the intifada” and “by any means necessary” are eventually turned to action by their speakers.

Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim knew that to represent Israel would have its risks. The peaceful walkers in Boulder, Colo., however, probably expected their demonstration remembering the hostages Hamas still holds to end peacefully like it did every week. Instead they were accosted by raging words and literal fire.

Words matter. As Jesus said, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” If the mouth keeps speaking evil, the hands will eventually do evil.

What are the action points for us as Christians?

• PRAY.
• Pray for our Jewish neighbors.
• Pray for those who have allowed their anger at Israel to turn into hate for Jews in America and beyond.
• Pray that the Israel-Hamas War would end.
• LISTEN.
• Call a Jewish friend and ask how these attacks have made them feel.
• Make a new Jewish friend. Find out of if there are any prayer events or lectures on antisemitism and ask if you would be welcome to attend.
• Ask the local synagogue if there are ways you can offer support.
• SPEAK OUT.
• Call out antisemitic speech. Discern the difference between acceptable political positions you may disagree with and antisemitic rhetoric that blurs the line between Jewish people and the modern State of Israel.
• Any language that calls for the “end” of a people group is out of line and must be challenged.

These headlines are presented as a snapshot of what our Jewish neighbors are thinking and feeling and to provide data as you pray about these issues. CMJ USA does not necessarily agree with the opinions expressed in these articles.

🥷🏻With attacks in Washington and Colorado, the global intifada lands in America (Times of Israel)

Unlike antisemitic killings in Pittsburgh, New Jersey and elsewhere, these assaults appear to be an outgrowth of a protest movement where violence against Jews and Israelis has been normalized

🔥The Boulder Attack Didn’t Come Out of Nowhere (The Atlantic)

When demonstrators wave the flags of terrorist organizations and publicly commemorate the martyrdom of terrorist leaders, they’re not throwing the bomb, but their message can light the fuse.

❓What Does “Globalize the Intifada” Mean and How Can it Lead to Targeting Jews with Violence? (AJC)

⚠️After attacks, US feds warn of ‘elevated threat’ to Israeli and Jewish communities (Times of Israel)

Following Washington shooting and Colorado firebombing, FBI and Department of Homeland Security warn of danger posed by violent extremists and foreign terror groups

Remembering Yaron Lischinsky

My initial thoughts on the murder of Yaron and Sarah and the Boulder firebombing (more on that below).

😖Holocaust survivor among the Boulder attack victims (ABC News)

😨'Suffering and scared': Boulder's Jewish community reels in aftermath of violent attack (Jerusalem Post)

"Violence against Jews is immoral and must end. Colorado must be a place where every Jew feels safe, supported, and free to live their authentic Jewish lives."

📆Colorado Attack That Injured 12 Was Planned for a Year, Officials Say (New York Times)

The F.B.I. said in a court filing that the suspect, an Egyptian citizen who had sought asylum in the U.S., brought more than a dozen incendiary devices to a march in support of hostages in Gaza.

🚶🏻‍♂️‍➡️Hundreds in Boulder walk in support of hostages week after fiery attack (Times of Israel)

Large crowd attends weekly event that normally draws a few dozen, as hostage relatives join annual festival to thank community for support following pro-Palestinian firebombing

Photo credit: Screen capture from YouTube of video by bhflyer5 via News9.