LAKEWOOD — The hope had been to find AaronSofer alive somewhere, to see him walking thestreets of the township again.

Instead, his family plans to bury his body in Is-rael today.

Sofer, 23, had been missing since last Friday,when the Lakewood resident went for a hike inwoods outside of Jerusalem. While many wereconcerned he could have been abducted, his bodywas found in the woods by volunteers on Thurs-day.

“They’re overwhelmed,” said Township Com-mitteeman Meir Lichtenstein of the family. “Atthe same time, there is some relief that Aaron hasbeen found.”

Hundreds of people reportedly searched forSofer, who became separated from a friend afterthey trekked in the bush.

TRAGIC ENDTO SEARCH

NOAH K. MURRAY/CORRESPONDENT

Rabbi Meir Eiseman, uncle of Aaron Sofer, joins a prayer vigil for the yeshiva studentheld Wednesday in Lakewood. Sofer’s body was found Thursday in Israel.

Young Lakewood man, missing in Israel

since last Friday, has been found dead

JODY SOMERS/CORRESPONDENT

Aaron Sofer was reportedmissing last week.

By Kevin Pentón @kevinpentonAPP

See SOFER, Page A7

TEARS, PRAYERSGo to APP.com for a video and more photoswith this story.

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FRIDAY 08.29.14

VOLUME 135

NUMBER 207

SINCE 1879

ADVICE JERSEY ALIVE!CLASSIFIED D1COMICS JERSEY ALIVE!LOCAL A3LOTTERIES A2

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