LAKEWOOD — Community members gathered outside the Lakewood municipal building at a press conference on Aug. 26 as concern grows over the whereabouts of a Lakewood resident who has been reported missing in Israel.
Authorities said Aharon Sofer, 23, an exchange student studying in Israel, has been missing since approximately noon local time on Aug. 22 after going on a hike in the Jerusalem forest with a friend.
Congressman Chris Smith, who is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, learned about Sofer’s disappearance over the weekend and wrote to Secretary of State John Kerry urging him to get everyone possible involved in the search for the missing student.
“I hold out hope that Aharon will be located and returned to his family safely and until that day comes he and his family are in our prayers, and I will work with the State Department to use all resources available to find him and bring him to safety,” Smith said.
The search for Sofer began at 6 p.m. Aug. 22. Israeli police were joined by search and rescue volunteer teams in the effort, according to Smith.
Sofer’s father and uncle are in Israel to assist and advance the search for the young man. Sofer’s father wants Israeli defense forces to get involved in the search for his son, according to Smith.
Sofer has been an exchange student for the past year and was continuing his second year of study in Jerusalem, according to authorities.
Smith said hiking is a common activity among students.
Sofer was reported missing as hostilities continued between Israel and Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and Israel. Hamas governs the Gaza Strip, which shares a border with Israel. Hamas has taken responsibility for kidnapping and killing three Israeli teens in the West Bank in June.
New York Assemblyman Dov Hikind attended the press conference in Lakewood on behalf of his constituents Borough Park, a large Jewish community in Brooklyn. He said time is very crucial in this matter.
“Time is of the essence and every hour that goes by that we do not find Aharon is a growing concern so we hope with God’s help that we find him and he can go back to studying in Israel which is something he always wanted to do,” Hikind said.
Sofer’s brother, Yaakov Sofer, spoke briefly and thanked everyone who is involved in the search for his brother.
“I appreciate everyone who is looking for my brother and I want people to continue searching for him. I just have one last message to say on behalf of the whole family out here and that is to please bring back my brother,” he said.
Sofer’s brother-in-law Yehuda Wicentowsky said Aharon is a kind and nice person.
“We all care about him and are praying for his safe return every day, and we appreciate all the efforts being done to find him,” Wicentowsky said.
A website is accepting donations on behalf of Sofer’s family so they may travel to Israel and assist in the search, according to Lakewood Mayor Menashe Miller. The website is www.searchforsofer.com.