ZAKA North America, together with Misaskim of Central Jersey and Misaskim of Baltimore, responded after a tragic plane crash in Maryland claimed the lives of three young men.

The victims were identified as Yoav Bomrind of Zichron Yaakov, David Rabinovitz of Haifa, and Elad Neidik of Toronto. They were aboard a single-engine Piper PA-28 aircraft that crashed in a wooded area near Bowie, Maryland, after departing from Ocean City, New Jersey, en route to Montgomery County Airpark.

Following notification of the crash, ZAKA Search and Rescue headquarters in Eretz Yisroel dispatched ZAKA North America Commander Yanky Landau and mobilized resources in coordination with Misaskim volunteers. The teams worked for many hours alongside local authorities and emergency agencies, assisting with recovery efforts, collecting remains and personal effects, and ensuring proper Kavod Hameis.

Local Chabad shluchim were also involved in assisting at the scene and supporting the families. Rabbi Eli Baron, shliach at Chabad of Bowie, responded after being notified of the tragedy by Rabbi Shlomo Beitch, director of the Chabad Israeli Center of Rockville, and worked with officials and communal askanim as the response unfolded.

At the crash site, Rabbi Baron was able to recite tefillos and help ensure that the niftarim were treated with dignity according to halacha. He was assisted by Rabbi Nechemia Mond, a chaplain with the Maryland State Police, while volunteers from ZAKA and Misaskim later continued the difficult work of Kavod Hameis at the scene.

The response required coordination with local law enforcement, medical examiners, aviation authorities, international representatives, and the families of the niftarim. ZAKA representatives are continuing to assist with arrangements to bring the niftarim to kevurah, working with the Israeli Foreign Ministry and the Israeli Consulate in Washington to repatriate Bomrind and Rabinovitz to Eretz Yisroel, and with communal organizations to bring Neidik to kevurah in Toronto.

Communal liaison Rabbi Mattis Melnicke helped coordinate communications, logistics, and cooperation between the various organizations and authorities involved.

“From the moment we received notification of this tragedy, our volunteers mobilized to provide assistance and support,” said ZAKA North America Commander Yanky Landau. “Together with our partners at Misaskim, our volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure that the victims were treated with the utmost dignity and that their families received the support they needed during an unimaginable moment of loss.”

ZAKA North America Executive Director Moshe Rozenberg said the response showed the importance of strong relationships between emergency organizations, community partners, and government agencies, allowing volunteers to respond quickly and provide culturally sensitive support.

The crash remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Photos: ZAKA