SUNDAY UPDATE FROM VIRGINIA: Search Continues For Rabbi Reuven Bauman

The following are the latest YWN updates on Sunday morning (10:00AM) from the ongoing search in Virginia for Rabbi Reuven Bauman.

Unfortunately, over Shabbos, the body of Rabbi Reuven Bauman was not located. Search coordinators from Achiezer and Chaveirim of Rockland told YWN that the actions of the Virginia Beach Police and Virginia Beach Fire Department must be commended for their tireless efforts in searching the entire Shabbos. Additionally, non-Jewish boat captains patrolled and scanned the shorelines the entire Shabbos.

On Sunday morning, many new volunteers traveled to Virginia, as search efforts have once again restarted by Jewish organizations.

The U.S. Coast Guard is in touch with search coordinators from Achiezer and Rockland Chaveirim, and have been guiding them as to what areas should be searched, and what areas the body may be located in (based on time, water temperatures, wind, water levels etc). The plan on Sunday is to search the entire shoreline from North Carolina all the way to Virginia.

[Letter From HaRav Sender Haber, Rov In Norfolk Virginia, Regarding Difficult Week]

A total of 5 private boats have been secured for the day, and are being staffed with volunteers. At least one helicopter will be searching on Sunday as well. There are also three jet-skis.

A group of 11 volunteers from Baltimore arrived with a boat, many of them volunteers of Misaskim of Maryland and Baltimore Shomrim.

A group of Lakewood Chaveirim Volunteers arrived with a jet-ski and are being placed in boats as well.

Misaskim of Greater-Washington are searching, and a team of around 10 volunteers arrived from Savana, GA.

There is also a large group of community members from Norfolk who are searching.

Sources tell YWN that there is the possibility of bringing highly-trained retired Navy personnel to join the search, and a decision is being made on Sunday regarding this.

Klal Yisroel is asked to please continue Davening for Reuven Tzvi ben Esther Baila

It should be noted that among the volunteers and organizations assisting Achiezer in a major way has been Yossi Margareten, coordinator of Rockland Chaveirim.

PLEASE NOTE: Throughout the day, YWN is updating this developing tragedy on our WhatsApp status. Click this link – or send a message to 1-888-4-YW-NEWS (888-499-6397) – to see our status posts.

As YWN has been reporting, Rabbi Bauman, 35-years-old, was at the beach at False Cape State Park last Tuesday with around 20 campers from a local day camp when a 13-year-old student was caught in a sudden rip current. Rabbi Bauman immediately entered the water to save the boy who was able to make it out of the water. Unfortunately, Rabbi Bauman was swept out to sea and has not been seen since.

Rabbi Reuven Bauman is a Rebbi at Yeshiva Toras Chaim in Norfolk Virginia.

YWN will continuing to bring our readers the latest and most accurate information as we have been since we broke the tragic news three days ago.