The family of an Israeli-American teen abducted near Hebron last Thursday says it has received an outpouring of support from friends and family back in the U.S. Naftali Frenkel, 16, was with two other teens, Gil-ad Shaer, 16, and Eyal Yifrach, 19, as they were hitchhiking home from yeshivas in Judea. She said most of his cousins, aunts and uncles live in the U.S., mostly in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn, the New York suburb of Monsey and other parts of the state. She said her brother's synagogue and other synagogues in Brooklyn have been organizing prayer vigils for the teen. A prayer vigil was scheduled for later Monday outside the Israeli Consulate in New York. "We're getting a lot of support from family," she told The Associated Press. "My brother is feeling a lot of support and solidarity from his friends." Frenkel's family affirmed its faith in Israel's rescue efforts and expressed gratitude for the nationwide support. The story has generated round-the-clock news coverage, and more than 10,000 people gathered at the Western Wall in Jerusalem late Sunday to pray for the teens' safety. "He is a kid full of happiness and smiles," said Ittael Frenkel. "We are optimistic; we really hope to see him home soon." As the search continued, the ordeal continued to capture national attention with nearly nonstop updates by Israeli media. Naftali Frenkel and his six siblings are American citizens. His aunt confirmed the family has been in contact with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro. "We are of course very, very worried; we really, really want to see him home fast," said Ittael Frenkel. About 200 people gathered across the street from the Israeli Consulate in New York City on Monday to call for the safe release of the teens. During the prayer vigil and rally, people held signs reading "Bring Back Our Boys." The recent "Bring Back Our Girls" campaign successfully brought international attention to schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in Nigeria. "We support Israel. We want the whole world to know we want these boys home," said Naomi Brunnlehrman. "It's important that the world knows that for the crime of being Jewish in a Jewish homeland the boys do not deserve to be kidnapped. These are teenagers. They're kids," said Ellen Minaker. The vigil was led by New York Rabbi Avi Weiss who said, "Our hearts are broken."
Credit: Reuters
Frenkel's grandparents moved to Israel from the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn in 1956. Although Frenkel, 16, was born and raised in Israel, he paid brief visits to the U.S. while growing up, said his aunt, Ittael Frenkel.
Support pours in from US family of missing teen
Naftali Frenkel, 16, one of the three kidnapped Israeli teens, receives wave of support from American family and friends • Frenkel's grandparents moved to Israel from Brooklyn • 200 people hold prayer vigil and rally outside Israeli Consulate in New York.
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