The U.S.-Israel Opera Initiative has revealed that its upcoming performance of “Theodor” on June 15, 2025, will be held in memory of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, a young couple tragically killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum.

Attending the event will be Milgrim’s mother and Lischinsky’s siblings, honoring the couple’s memory.

This performance will serve as the inaugural event for the U.S.-Israel Opera Initiative. It is scheduled to take place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, featuring remarks from Yonatan Cnaan, the opera’s composer, alongside live performances by cast members and participants from the Washington National Opera’s Cafritz Young Artists program.

“Theodor” draws inspiration from the life and enduring impact of Theodor Herzl, vividly portraying the journey of a visionary whose ideas played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary history.

In May 2025, Lischinsky and Milgrim were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum by an individual shouting “free Palestine” as they exited an event described by organizers as a discussion on the Gaza crisis, intended to “transform pain into purpose.” Lischinsky was employed in the embassy’s political department, while Milgrim had been working in the public diplomacy department for one and a half years.

The dedication of the “Theodor” performance underscores the U.S.-Israel Opera Initiative’s commitment to fostering cultural dialogue and remembrance through art. Organizers have emphasized that the event will not only celebrate Herzl’s legacy but also serve as a poignant tribute to Lischinsky and Milgrim’s contributions to diplomacy and their shared vision of peace.

In addition to the performance, the evening will feature a moment of silence to commemorate the couple, followed by a brief address from a representative of the Capital Jewish Museum, reflecting on the impact of the tragedy and the importance of continued efforts to bridge divides through meaningful conversations. The program will conclude with a reception, allowing attendees to connect with the performers, the composer, and members of the initiative, further strengthening the sense of community and shared purpose.

This event is expected to draw a diverse audience, including diplomatic figures, cultural leaders, and supporters of the arts, all united in honoring the memory of Lischinsky and Milgrim while celebrating the power of opera to inspire and heal.