In a remarkable story spanning continents, a ger tzedek (righteous convery to Judaism) has finally been laid to rest in a Jewish grave following weeks of diplomatic and forensic efforts.
In July when residents of a south Tel Aviv apartment building alerted emergency services to a strong smell coming from one of the units. Upon entry, authorities discovered a body in an advanced state of decomposition, rendering it unidentifiable.
With no immediate family contacts available, the deceased was at risk of being buried as an unidentified person. However, friends of the man reached out to ZAKA, setting in motion an international investigation to ensure a proper Jewish burial.
ZAKA's efforts led them first to a stepsister in the United States, but DNA testing was not possible due to the lack of biological relation. Further investigation uncovered a biological brother living in Cali, Colombia.
The process of obtaining a DNA sample from the brother in Colombia faced numerous hurdles, including diplomatic challenges and coordination issues between international agencies. ZAKA officials worked closely with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Colombian authorities to arrange for the brother to provide a DNA sample at the Israeli embassy in Bogotá.
Meanwhile, researchers discovered that the deceased had converted to Judaism in 1996, a year after immigrating to Israel, confirming his right to a Jewish burial.
After nearly two months of complex international cooperation, DNA results confirmed the man's identity. He was identified as David ben Avraham, a righteous convert who had expressed his wish to be buried as a Jew.
David ben Avraham was finally laid to rest in a Jewish cemetery. His biological brother and stepsister, instrumental in the identification process, participated in the funeral via video call.
The burial was attended by a minyan ensuring that the Kaddish prayer could be recited, fulfilling David's final wish for a proper Jewish burial.
Channel 14 contributed to this article.