Published: 5 July 2019
Last updated: 4 March 2024
THE TRAGIC DEATH OF a young Jewish teenager on a trip to Israel has prompted a senior figure at the World Mizrachi Movement to attempt to reach out to his former students “who feel that there is no-one to talk to about their sexuality.”
Jonny Lipczer, the director of communications at World Mizrachi, which is affiliated with the Bnei Akiva youth movement, made his comments after a South African teenager, whom the JC has decided not to name, took his own life while on an Israel trip.
In a message shared widely on social media, the boy's parents described their “devastation and heartbreak”, saying that before his death, their son had written a letter on his phone sharing his reasons for taking his life.
“He explained that he was struggling with his place in the world, his transition into adulthood, his identity and with his sexuality. He felt his pain was too deep to live,” they said.
FULL STORY Senior World Mizrachi figure reaches out to his former students after tragic death during Israel trip (Jewish Chronicle)
Photo: Tel Aviv gay pride parade, 2018 (Anna Ahronheim)
