The body of four-year-old Shalom Saginer, who drowned in a hotel swimming pool during a family vacation in Mexico, arrived in Israel Tuesday morning ahead of his funeral. The child was the grandson of Rabbi Shalom Arush, head of the Chut Shel Chesed institutions and a senior figure among Breslov rabbis, and was named after him. The funeral procession is scheduled to depart at 11:30 a.m. from the Chut Shel Chesed institutions at 13 Shmuel HaNavi Street in Jerusalem, proceeding to the Mount of Olives cemetery.
Tragedy in Mexico
Body of Drowned Child Returns to Israel
Shalom Saginer, grandson of prominent Breslov rabbi Shalom Arush, drowned during family vacation in Mexico; funeral procession to begin in Jerusalem
The drowning occurred in San José del Cabo, Mexico, where the family was staying. Following notification of the tragedy, ZAKA's international unit became involved, working closely with Israeli Foreign Ministry representatives to support the family and expedite the return of the child's body to Israel for burial. After intensive efforts by ZAKA volunteers with Mexican authorities and the legal system, an autopsy was avoided and the body was released for burial. Once all required bureaucratic and legal procedures were completed, the coffin was placed on a flight to Israel.
Yosef Chaim Haouzi, deputy commander of ZAKA Beit Shemesh, and Roi Salomon, a ZAKA volunteer, transported the coffin by ZAKA ambulance from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem and are organizing the funeral procession to the Mount of Olives. The two volunteers reported: "This morning, when the coffin landed in Israel, we received Shalom at Ben Gurion Airport, together with the child's grandfather, Rabbi Shalom Arush, head of the Chut Shel Chesed institutions, who came to accompany his grandson on his final journey. We are accompanying the family during these difficult hours and assisting with everything needed until the burial."
