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Funeral Held in Israel for Missing NJ Yeshiva Student Found in Jerusalem Forest

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Funeral of Aaron Sofer, the Lakewood, New Jersey yeshiva student who was missing in Israel for six days

The body of Aaron Sofer, 23, the New Jersey yeshiva student who was missing in Israel for six days was found by United Hatzalah volunteers on Thursday, August 28 in the Jerusalem forest. On Friday, August 22, he was taking a hike in the forest with a friend. The two apparently became separated and Sofer never emerged from the forest. An unconfirmed report cited dehydration as the cause of death.

According to a statement by Israeli Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld to WABC of Lakewood, New Jersey, Sofer’s body was found in a shallow ditch at the side of the road in the area of Ein Kerem, and a hat and pair of glasses were found nearby. Reports indicated that the body had already started to decompose.

According to a report in The Jerusalem Post, the discovery of Sofer’s body was announced at about 5 p.m., less than five hours before a planned press conference and prayer vigil at the Western Wall arranged by Sofer’s parents, Moshe and Chulda, who flew to Israel from Lakewood, New Jersey, to aid in the search.

Yisrael Erlich, a Hatzalah volunteer who took part in the search for Sofer said, “Soon after beginning our search, we came across a man’s body among the shrubbery that seemed to match the missing student’s description, we immediately notified the police via our phone app and a large group of police and first responders quickly appeared on the scene. I was not expecting the incident to end in such a horrific tragedy.”

United Hatzalah head Eli Beer thanked the hundreds of volunteers who searched night and day for nearly one week to find Sofer.

“We are very sorry about the tragic ending of the story,” he said. “We were hoping and praying for a positive end.”

Sofer’s funeral was held on Friday morning at the Ezrat Torah neighborhood in Jerusalem and concluded in Beit Shemesh, where he was laid to rest.

The Lakewood man’s funeral came after authorities determined he was not the victim of foul play or a terrorist attack.

Many feared Sofer had been kidnapped in the wake of fighting between Israelis and Palestinians. Israeli media speculated that he had fallen or died of dehydration, according to a CBS news report.

“The initial reports are that it was not any kind of violence, that it might have just been an accident,” said Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind. “But whatever it is, Aaron Sofer is no longer here.”

Sofer’s parents had flown to Israel to assist with the search in the days after their son disappeared. Former Lakewood mayor, Meir Lichtenstein said they’re overwhelmed, but relieved he had been found.

“The silver lining in the cloud is that Aaron’s disappearance and eventually death really united the community, brought a lot of good out in people. And there’s a lot of solace in that,” Lichtenstein said.

“With the heartbreaking news of the death of Aaron Sofer, our worst nightmare has come true. There are no adequate words to convey my personal condolences to the Sofer family and to the people of Lakewood for this terrible loss,” said US Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) in a statement to the media.

He added, “Ever since Aaron went missing, communities throughout the United States, Israel, and beyond gathered in worship on behalf of Aaron. During this period of mourning, I hope the Sofer family can be comforted with the knowledge that countless people, friends and strangers alike, prayed for Aaron’s well-being, and those acts of devotion will only continue. It has become clear to me that everyone who knew Aaron saw tremendous promise in this young man who was committed to his family, his Jewish faith and his community of Lakewood.

“I understand a full, complete, and thorough investigation is underway. Throughout this process, I stand ready to assist in every way possible and Aaron’s family will have no greater advocate working on their behalf.”

Along with his parents, Sofer left behind nine brothers and sisters.

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