Sarah Lynn Milgrim

Sarah Lynn Milgrim was born December 29, 1998, to Robert and Nancy Milgrim and big brother Jacob. The youngest of all her cousins, Sarah was determined to keep up with their shenanigans. Sarah was insistent on trying everything; she was involved in many sports and numerous school activities. Sarah loved music and theater. She took lessons in piano, violin and clarinet. At Shawnee Mission East High School, she played in the orchestra, sang in the choir and chamber choir. Sarah performed in the community show choir and the KC Lyric Opera children's choir. She loved going to the opera and musicals. Her sense of fashion made her stand out in a crowd.
Sarah's first true love was her dog, Andy. From day one, she referred to him as her son. Sarah nurtured him through years of behavior and health issues, never giving up on finding "the good boy inside of him."
Sarah cared deeply for her family and made regular visits to her grandparents' homes in Chicago, Joplin and Des Moines to spend time with them. She loved the outdoors, beautiful flowers, and National Parks, photographing them all. After going on her brother's Boy Scout canoe-camping trips, she decided she would rather be a Boy Scout than a Daisy (Girl Scout) because "the Boy Scouts did way cooler things." From an early age, Sarah felt compelled to take care of animals and the earth. She encouraged her family and friends to reduce, reuse, recycle and started a recycling program at her sorority house, Sigma Kappa. Sarah had an adventurous nature and loved to travel. Trips with family and friends included Canada, Mexico, Germany, Austria, Costa Rica, Colombia and numerous trips to Israel.
Sarah's quest for knowledge was unceasing. She graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from The University of Kansas. She earned Master's degrees in International Affairs from American University and Resource Development and Sustainability from the United Nations University for Peace (UPEACE) in Costa Rica. Most recently, Sarah participated in the Sachs Mimouna Fellowship through the American Jewish Committee, whereby she traveled to Morocco to forge alliances from the Abraham Accords between government ministers and Jewish and Muslim participants.
Sarah's faith was an integral part of her being. From an early age, she learned the challenge of being different. Instead of turning away from these challenges, she faced them head on. Sarah attended Sunday school at Congregation Kol Ami, became a Bat Mitzvah in Jerusalem, was confirmed at Congregation Beth Torah and was an active member of Hillel and Chabad at The University of Kansas. Sarah attended Shabbat services at Adas Israel Congregation in Washington, D.C.
Sarah began working as the Director of Civil Society Affairs at the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C. in the fall of 2023. She was responsible for outreach to progressive communities in the U.S. connecting with young adults, LGBTQ+, African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Indigenous communities to address gender equality, sexual violence against women, and climate degradation. Sarah was able to transform her deep concern for antisemitism and anti-Zionism into courageous action. She faced these adversities not with fear but with strength and grace.
At the Embassy, she met the love of her life, Yaron Lischinsky. Sarah and Yaron were planning to travel to Israel four days after their tragic deaths to meet his family and become engaged. Their love for each other was like no other – it radiated from their hearts and permeated the room whenever they were together, which was nearly all the time.
Sarah had an unforgettable giggle that was the embodiment of her joyful spirit. She made others laugh as frequently as she laughed herself. Sarah's flaming red hair signified the fire in her belly that led her to stand up for social causes, speak for those who don't have a voice, and develop relationships with people of different cultures. Sarah was not only steadfast in creating a brighter future, she believed it could be done. She loved fiercely and deeply. In her Master's research with Tech2Peace, an Israeli peacebuilding organization, Sarah concluded, "The most impactful peacebuilding happens outside political institutions. It happens in shared rooms, over common projects, in the eyes of strangers who become friends." Sarah lived by her favorite Jewish principle, Tikun Olam, repair the world.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 am Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at Congregation Beth Torah, 6100 W 127th St, Overland Park, KS 66209. Private family burial followed.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sarah's name may be directed to the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City.