Missing American's parents meet with Jerusalem police chief

Aaron Sofer, 23, was last seen hiking in the Jerusalem Forest with a friend last week; parents have offered 100,000 reward.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
Missing yeshiva student Aaron Sofer. (photo credit: Courtesy)
Missing yeshiva student Aaron Sofer.
(photo credit: Courtesy)
As the search continues for their American son, Aaron Sofer – last seen hiking in the Jerusalem Forest with a friend on Friday – the missing yeshiva student’s parents, who flew to Israel from Lakewood, New Jersey, met with the head of the Jerusalem District Police on Wednesday.
During the meeting at police headquarters in the capital, Moshe and Chulda Sofer were updated by Asst.-Ch. Yossi Parienti on the manhunt as it entered its fifth day, making international headlines.
“The police are doing their best and investing all of our resources to find Aaron,” the commander told the family.
According to a statement released by police, Parienti told the missing 23-year-old’s parents that a special investigation team is continuing its intensive search in coordination with the FBI and US Consulate.
The Sofers thanked the commander, adding that they “embrace the police and hundreds of volunteers” who have spent night and day attempting to locate their son.
Meanwhile, the head of the special investigation team, Ch.-Supt. Gilad Bahat, assured the Sofers that hundreds of officers are scouring the Jerusalem Forest and surrounding neighborhoods around the clock.
Additionally, canine units, helicopters, volunteers and emergency rescue organizations ZAKA and United Hatzalah have been deployed in the search.
On Tuesday, Sofer’s parents offered a NIS 100,000 reward for the return of Aaron, who is described as approximately 1.8 meters 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) 539-1520, or the Israel Police emergency line at 100.