Press Release | May 22, 2025
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — Dr. Susan Michael, President of the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem – USA and Director of the American Christian Leaders for Israel, and Troy A. Miller, President and CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters, have tirelessly worked together to stand in support and solidarity with Israel and the Jewish people and are devastated by the news of the violence in our nation’s capital on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 outside the Capital Jewish Museum that ended with the murder of two young, about to be engaged Israeli Embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim.
“I met Yaron when he attended the ICEJ Gala to celebrate the State of Israel’s 75th anniversary. He and his parents are friends of our ICEJ President, Dr. Juergen Buehler. We are all in mourning today with the tragic and senseless news of Yaron and Sarah’s murder,” said Dr. Michael. “That this happened in our nation’s capital, where I lived and worked for 30 years, is unthinkable. The rampant and rising antisemitism in America and the entire world is inexcusable. The hateful rhetoric and acts of violence against the Jewish people have only escalated. While we gather in prayer for Yaron and Sarah’s families and the Israeli Embassy staff, I encourage you to also pray for all the Jewish people who are living in an increasingly dangerous world.”
Yaron and Sarah were fatally shot in a targeted act of violence as they left the American Jewish Committee’s ACCESS Young Diplomats Reception at the Capital Jewish Museum just after 9 p.m. in Washington, DC, on Wednesday night. The couple had plans to become engaged on a trip to Jerusalem next week. Yaron was an Israeli citizen, a research assistant in the Israeli Embassy’s Political Department since 2022, and previously served in the Israel Defense Forces for three years. Sarah was a Jewish-American with degrees from the University of Kansas and American University and worked in the Israeli Embassy’s Department of Public Diplomacy since 2023, where she organized missions and visits to Israel. The suspected gunman, Elias Rodriquez, is a 31-year-old Chicago resident who shouted “Free, free Palestine” during his arrest.
“We are heartbroken and outraged by the brutal murder of the young couple, Yaron and Sarah, who were preparing to begin their lives together. Their senseless deaths are a devastating loss to their families, the Israeli diplomatic community, and all who stand for peace and justice,” said Mr. Miller. “This heinous act is a stark reminder of the dangerous rise of antisemitic violence and rhetoric in our own nation, reflecting a broader climate of hatred that must be confronted with moral clarity. As Christian communicators, we have a responsibility to speak out against antisemitism in all its forms and to stand in solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters. Our prayers are with the families of Yaron and Sarah, the Israeli Embassy staff, and all who are grieving this profound loss.”
For the last 45 years, the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem – USA (ICEJ) has stood as a tangible expression of Christian solidarity with the people of Israel, offering comfort, support, and practical aid in times of need. The National Religious Broadcasters is a nonpartisan, international association of Christian communicators whose member organizations represent millions of listeners, viewers, and readers and are committed to helping Christian communicators tell Israel’s story with truth, boldness, and biblical conviction. The American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI) is a project of ICEJ and is dedicated to educating American Christians on Israel and the Jewish people.
About Dr. Susan Michael
For more than 35 years, Susan has pioneered the development of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem in the United States and around the world. She currently serves as the ministry’s USA President and is a member of the ICEJ’s International Board of Directors.
Susan’s involvement with the ICEJ began as a graduate student at Jerusalem University College in 1980, the same year the Christian Embassy was first established. Upon completing her master’s degree in Judeo-Christian Studies, she returned from Israel with a heart to further the Embassy’s mission among fellow Americans. After a season assisting the ministry’s international leadership to host a series of high-profile pro-Israel conferences across the USA, she was asked to head up the ICEJ’s U.S. Branch.
In addition to a master’s degree in Judeo-Christian Studies, she holds a bachelor’s degree in theology from Oral Roberts University and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by Piedmont International University in 2018. Susan is an author, gifted teacher, and international speaker. She is often called upon to address complex and sensitive issues such as anti-Semitism, Islam, Jewish-Christian relations, and current events in the Middle East to a diverse range of audiences. Her experience working with Arabs, Jews, and Christians from many national and denominational backgrounds has equipped her to handle delicate topics central to an understanding of Israel with extraordinary clarity and grace.
In recent years, she has produced several educational tools to enable other Christians to do the same, including the IsraelAnswers.com website, a series of highly accessible educational seminars, online courses at ICEJ U, course curricula for Christian colleges, and Embassy Publishers. Susan has built the U.S. Branch of the ICEJ into an esteemed and lead ministry, evidenced in its leadership of one of the strongest networks of Evangelical leaders in America — the American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI).
About Troy A. Miller
A senior executive with more than 30 years of management and business experience, Troy A. Miller was elected as President & CEO of NRB in July 2022. He had served as the interim CEO of NRB since March 2019. Under Miller’s leadership, the association has recaptured a strong financial position, grown its membership, and significantly enhanced programming, networking, sponsorship, and exhibition aspects of the annual NRB International Christian Media Convention. Miller is also currently President & CEO of NRBTV, where he has served since June 2005.
Miller served with distinction in the US Navy from 1983-1988, including time assigned to the Naval Engineering Command at Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, MS. Miller was part of the commissioning crew of USS Bunker Hill. He worked for personal computer company Gateway, Inc. for ten years and was involved in leading several business startups, including Gateway’s expansion into Europe and Asia, new manufacturing facilities, and global information technology application strategy. He served as the executive vice president and chief operating officer for D. James Kennedy Ministries. Miller has spoken at seminars on strategic business planning, information technology integration, organizational development, and Christian apologetics, as well as training pastors in the Far East.
Under Miller’s leadership, NRB has expanded its membership base, enhanced financial stability, and elevated the annual NRB Convention, which now attracts nearly 6,000 Christian media professionals worldwide.
Miller has made media appearances on outlets including The Washington Times, TBN, Salem News Channel, Real America’s Voice, Fox & Friends, and The Christian Post. He also regularly contributes op-eds to outlets such as Newsmax, Fox News, and The Daily Caller.
About the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem
The International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem, founded in 1980, recognizes Jerusalem’s biblical significance and its connection to the Jewish people. Representing millions of Christians globally, it supports Israel and promotes reconciliation between Jews, Christians, and Arabs. The ICEJ aims to stand with Israel, educate the Church on God’s purposes for Israel and the Middle East, and support local congregations. Headquartered in Jerusalem, it operates in over 170 countries with branch offices in more than 90 nations.
About NRB
NRB is a nonpartisan, international association of Christian communicators whose member organizations represent millions of listeners, viewers, and readers. NRB’s mission is two-fold: To protect the free speech rights of our members to speak Biblical truth by advocating those rights in governmental, corporate, and media sectors; and to foster excellence, integrity, and accountability in our membership by providing networking, educational, ministry, and relational opportunities. Learn more at NRB.org.
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