LAKEWOOD — The hope had been to find Aaron Sofer alive somewhere, to see him walking the streets 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 in woods outside of Jerusalem. While many were concerned he could have been abducted, his body was found in the woods by volunteers on Thurs- day. “They’re overwhelmed,” said Township Com- mitteeman Meir Lichtenstein of the family. “At the same time, there is some relief that Aaron has been found.” Hundreds of people reportedly searched for Sofer, who became separated from a friend after they trekked in the bush. TRAGIC END TO SEARCH NOAH K. MURRAY/CORRESPONDENT Rabbi Meir Eiseman, uncle of Aaron Sofer, joins a prayer vigil for the yeshiva student held 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 reported missing last week. By Kevin Pentón @kevinpentonAPP See SOFER, Page A7 TEARS, PRAYERS Go to APP.com for a video and more photos with this story. GOODBYE, SUMMER ’14 It’s unofficially the last weekend of the summer. Make it count. IN JERSEY ALIVE! Asbury Park Press APP.COM $1.00 FRIDAY 08.29.14 VOLUME 135 NUMBER 207 SINCE 1879 ADVICE JERSEY ALIVE! CLASSIFIED D1 COMICS JERSEY ALIVE! LOCAL A3 LOTTERIES A2 OBITUARIES A11 OPINION A14 SPORTS C1 YOUR MONEY A10 WEATHER C12 WILL YOUR GAS BILL SHRINK THIS YEAR? Your Money, A10 BOSS PENS PICTURE BOOK FOR ADULTS Inside, A4 HAWKS SET TO TAKE FLIGHT Monmouth has a new up-tempo offense for its first season in the Big South C1 SPORTS U.S.: RUSSIA ‘OUTRIGHT LIED’ ABOUT TROOPS IN UKRAINE PAGE 1B ARE WE PAST THE DANGER ZONE? In the words of one longtime lifeguard, this has been among the worst summers for rip currents in decades. Is it safe to brave the surf yet? A8 TODAY TOM SPADER/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER