The Jewish community was plunged into mourning on Sunday evening following the tragic news that Habachur Yehoshua Ram, z”l, a 17-year-old resident of Bnei Brak, lost his life after drowning in the Ain Ekev spring.

The heartbreaking incident occurred during a Bein Hazmanim trip with his friends.

As reported earlier, a massive search and rescue operation was launched Sunday afternoon. Specialized teams from the Lehava rescue unit were called to the Ain Ekev spring following a report of a missing bochur who was believed to have fallen into the water. Upon arrival, search teams located his clothing near the spring.

Tragically, after several hours of intense searching, rescue divers recovered his body.
ZAKA volunteers were immediately dispatched to the scene to ensure kavod hameis.

Aharon Fischer, a ZAKA volunteer who responded, and Gili Tugandaft of the ZAKA Negev-Dimona team, stated: “We arrived at the scene after receiving a report of a boy missing in the spring. After hours of activity, the 17-year-old boy was located at the scene. This is a very difficult scene. Together with other ZAKA volunteers, we are handling the difficult scene with respect for the deceased, accompanying the family in these difficult moments.”

Yehoshua, z”l, was born to his parents, Harav Yisroel and Mrs. Sarah (nee Glick) Ram, ybl”c, who reside on Ben Zakkai Street in Bnei Brak.

In his childhood, he valiantly battled a severe illness. He had just recently begun his studies this past Elul in Shiur Aleph at the Grodna Yeshivah in Be’er Yaakov, before his life was tragically cut short.

The body of the niftar is being transferred for an external examination at the Abu Kabir Institute. Askanim are working to ensure a prompt release so the levayah can take place as soon as possible, which will most likely be held on Monday.

Yehi zichro baruch.