May 21 marked one year since Sarah Milgrim z”l and Yaron Lischinsky z”l were gunned down outside the Capital Jewish Museum.

These two young peace builders were murdered after an evening dedicated to dialogue, cooperation, and shared humanity. Their loss continues to reverberate through our community, not only in grief, but in the determination their memory now demands of us. The response to hatred cannot be withdrawal. To honor Sarah and Yaron, we must continue building visible, vibrant Jewish life, not despite fear, but in defiance of it.

In fiscal year 2026, the Greater Washington Jewish community has spent $12.8 million on security.

And still, it is not enough.

Security is no longer a line item. It is a defining feature of Jewish communal life. From Boulder to Bondi Beach to West Bloomfield, Jews have been forced to consider safety every time they engage with Jewish life.  And yet, despite that reality, Jewish communities continue to gather, celebrate, educate, and contribute openly to civic life. We refuse to accept the idea that the only safe Jew is an invisible one.

Synagogues,........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)