Mustng
VIP Member
- Aug 18, 2014
- 216
- 61
- 88
Parents of American teen missing in Jerusalem appeal for help, offer 100,000 NIS reward
By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
08/26/2014 16:36
FBI, US Consulate now involved in search for 23-year-old Aaron Sofer, who went missing while hiking Friday in Jerusalem Forest.
Parents of American teen missing in Jerusalem appeal for help offer 100 000 NIS reward JPost Israel News
In an emotional plea for any information as to the whereabouts of their son Aaron Sofer, missing since Friday while hiking in the Jerusalem Forest, his parents, who flew to Israel from New Jersey to aid in the search, beseeched the public on Tuesday for help.
“I want to thank everyone for all the help, but I ask you, please, please, please – I beg of you, beg you – please, if anyone sees any whereabouts of Aaron, please call the police immediately!” Sofer’s mother, Chulda said in tears.
As the search enters its fourth day, the Sofer’s said the FBI and American Consulate have joined the intensive manhunt for the 23-year-old American haredi yeshiva student, who has been studying in Jerusalem for approximately one year.
“The police are working tirelessly on all fronts, and all options are being strongly investigated,” Sofer's father Moshe said. “We would like to thank the American Consulate, the office of the Consul General, the FBI and the Israeli Police and ZAKA for all their efforts in trying to find our dear son Aaron.”
In a desperate measure to expedite the search, Moshe added that the family is offering a NIS 100,000 reward to anyone who can locate his son.
Meanwhile, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also issued a statement of concern for Sofer Tuesday afternoon.
“I am deeply concerned over the disappearance of New Jersey student Aaron Sofer in Israel and I stand in solidarity with his family,” Menendez said. “My thoughts are with them and the Lakewood community during this trying time.
“By all accounts, Aaron is a devout and dedicated student, who traveled to Israel to enhance his knowledge and deepen his understanding of sacred Jewish texts. For yeshiva students like Aaron, there is no greater pursuit than to live and study in Jerusalem, while worshiping at Judaism’s holiest sites.”
Menendez continued: “Ever since I was notified that Aaron went missing in Israel, my office has worked very closely with the State Department, US Embassy and Consular officials in Israel, and the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC. While investigators are pursuing every lead, we keep Aaron and his family in our thoughts and prayers.”
Despite hundreds of police officers, volunteers and the emergency response and rescue organizations ZAKA and United Hatzalah actively searching for Sofer since Saturday, no clues as to his whereabouts have surfaced.
Sofer was last seen in the Beit Zayit area of the woods Friday morning, before he and a friend became separated while navigating a steep incline. Concerned after not reuniting with him several hours later, the companion contacted police to file a missing person’s report, which led to the intensive manhunt.
While the search for their son initially generated numerous international headlines, Moshe and Chulda said the family is deeply concerned that the story has since lost traction.
“It is critical that the media does not lose sight of this,” Moshe said. “As any parent could understand, we are desperate to find our son and ask that he is not forgotten during this critical time.”
Police describe Sofer as approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, slender, with a close-cropped red beard, wearing glasses, a white shirt, yarmulke and black trousers at the time of his disappearance.
Anyone with information that may assist in locating Sofer has been asked to call 02-5391520, or the Israel Police hotline on 100.
By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
08/26/2014 16:36
FBI, US Consulate now involved in search for 23-year-old Aaron Sofer, who went missing while hiking Friday in Jerusalem Forest.
Parents of American teen missing in Jerusalem appeal for help offer 100 000 NIS reward JPost Israel News
In an emotional plea for any information as to the whereabouts of their son Aaron Sofer, missing since Friday while hiking in the Jerusalem Forest, his parents, who flew to Israel from New Jersey to aid in the search, beseeched the public on Tuesday for help.
“I want to thank everyone for all the help, but I ask you, please, please, please – I beg of you, beg you – please, if anyone sees any whereabouts of Aaron, please call the police immediately!” Sofer’s mother, Chulda said in tears.
As the search enters its fourth day, the Sofer’s said the FBI and American Consulate have joined the intensive manhunt for the 23-year-old American haredi yeshiva student, who has been studying in Jerusalem for approximately one year.
“The police are working tirelessly on all fronts, and all options are being strongly investigated,” Sofer's father Moshe said. “We would like to thank the American Consulate, the office of the Consul General, the FBI and the Israeli Police and ZAKA for all their efforts in trying to find our dear son Aaron.”
In a desperate measure to expedite the search, Moshe added that the family is offering a NIS 100,000 reward to anyone who can locate his son.
Meanwhile, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also issued a statement of concern for Sofer Tuesday afternoon.
“I am deeply concerned over the disappearance of New Jersey student Aaron Sofer in Israel and I stand in solidarity with his family,” Menendez said. “My thoughts are with them and the Lakewood community during this trying time.
“By all accounts, Aaron is a devout and dedicated student, who traveled to Israel to enhance his knowledge and deepen his understanding of sacred Jewish texts. For yeshiva students like Aaron, there is no greater pursuit than to live and study in Jerusalem, while worshiping at Judaism’s holiest sites.”
Menendez continued: “Ever since I was notified that Aaron went missing in Israel, my office has worked very closely with the State Department, US Embassy and Consular officials in Israel, and the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC. While investigators are pursuing every lead, we keep Aaron and his family in our thoughts and prayers.”
Despite hundreds of police officers, volunteers and the emergency response and rescue organizations ZAKA and United Hatzalah actively searching for Sofer since Saturday, no clues as to his whereabouts have surfaced.
Sofer was last seen in the Beit Zayit area of the woods Friday morning, before he and a friend became separated while navigating a steep incline. Concerned after not reuniting with him several hours later, the companion contacted police to file a missing person’s report, which led to the intensive manhunt.
While the search for their son initially generated numerous international headlines, Moshe and Chulda said the family is deeply concerned that the story has since lost traction.
“It is critical that the media does not lose sight of this,” Moshe said. “As any parent could understand, we are desperate to find our son and ask that he is not forgotten during this critical time.”
Police describe Sofer as approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, slender, with a close-cropped red beard, wearing glasses, a white shirt, yarmulke and black trousers at the time of his disappearance.
Anyone with information that may assist in locating Sofer has been asked to call 02-5391520, or the Israel Police hotline on 100.
