Update: Family Pleads for Return of Missing Lakewood Student in Israel

The family of Aaron Sofer, a Lakewood man missing in Israel since Friday, pleaded with any potential kidnappers to send the 23-year-old student home at a news conference Tuesday, held by Lakewood Mayor Menashe Miller.

“Please bring back my brother,” Yaakov Sofer, the missing man’s brother-in-law said, according to the Asbury Park Press. “He’s a very nice boy. Please bring him back.”

Two congressman said Tuesday they’re using ”all resources” to ensure the safe homecoming of an Ocean County man who may have been kidnapped while hiking in Israel.

Congressman Chris Smith and Sen. Robert Menendez say they have been actively involved in ensuring that both the Israeli and U.S. governments locate Sofer, who was studying in Israel until he went missing Friday.

Congressional and law enforcement authorities say they’re pursuing the possibility that Aaron Sofer, 23, may have been victim to an attack by Palestinian militants.

The crisis between Israelis and Palestinians has heated up recently with the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, according to The Associated Press.

Sofer went with a friend on a hike in the Jerusalem forest this past Friday until his friend lost sight of him at 12 noon.

“I am deeply concerned over the disappearance of New Jersey student Aaron Sofer in Israel and I stand in solidarity with his family. My thoughts are with them and the Lakewood community during this trying time,” Senator Menendez said. “By all accounts, Aaron is a devout and dedicated student, who travelled to Israel to enhance his knowledge and deepen his understanding of sacred Jewish texts.”

Menendez says his office has worked very closely with the State Department, U.S. Embassy and Consular officials in Israel, and the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., and “investigators are pursuing every lead”.

There has been no trace of him so far, leading to fears that he may have been kidnapped.

Patch will be following this story and will report any updates as they are made available. To read our original article, go to: http://patch.com/new-jersey/toms-river/congressmen-missing-ocean-county-man-israel-may-have-been-kidnapped#.U_yp0vmwKfg