A devastating chapter has come to a close following the tragic bein hazmanim incident at the Netanya beach, as the body of 17-year-old Yeshiva Bochur Avraham Yeshaya Spiegel z”l has been positively identified after ten days of exhaustive searches.

Avraham Yeshaya drowned on Erev Shabbos Parshas Shemini together with his brother, Yissachar Dov Spiegel z”l, when the two entered the water.

His brother, Yissachar Dov z”l, was pulled from the water in critical condition and was niftar several days later, on Monday night. Since then, massive search efforts and tefillos continued for Avraham Yeshaya, until his body was discovered today—painfully, in the middle of the shiva being observed for his brother.

The family, who were scheduled to get up from shiva Tuesday morning, must now continue sitting shivah following this double tragedy.

The identification was completed at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute.

Avraham Yeshaya z”l, known affectionately as “Avi,” was born in Yerushalayim to his father, HaRav Shlomo Spiegel, a prominent marbitz Torah in the Beis Yisroel neighborhood, and grandson of noted writer R’ Yisrael Spiegel z”l. His mother, Mrs. Shoshana Spiegel, is a respected mechaneches.

He learned in Talmud Torah Chavos Daas and later at Yeshiva Ketanah Imrei Moshe, where he developed a close relationship with HaRav Yisrael Ganz. He continued to Yeshivas Tifrach, where he became beloved by his rabbeim, including Hagaon HaRav Aviezer Piltz.

Friends describe him as a cheerful, vibrant bochur who was deeply immersed in his learning and known for his sincerity in tefillah. Despite his young age, he connected easily with older bochurim and brought energy and warmth into the beis medrash.

“He brought life to every seder with his understanding and enthusiasm,” one friend shared.

He leaves behind his broken parents, siblings, and many who are struggling to comprehend the magnitude of this loss.

The levaya is scheduled to take place tonight at 11:00 PM from the family home on Rechov Rav Kahneman in Ramat Shlomo, Yerushalayim. He will be laid to rest next to his brother in Har HaMenuchos.

Yehi zichro baruch.

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