Tragedy in Mexico: 4-year-old Israeli boy, grandson of a prominent rabbi, drowns

Shalom Saginiv, a 4-year-old from Jerusalem, drowned on Saturday, August 8, in a hotel pool in San José del Cabo, Mexico. The boy was the grandson of Rabbi Shalom Arush, head of the Breslov Hasidic movement. Medics were unable to revive him. Relatives refused an autopsy, and the body was handed over to the family. ZAKA and the Israeli embassy are helping to bring the body to Israel for burial.

On Saturday, August 8, 4-year-old Shalom Saginiv from Jerusalem drowned in a hotel pool in the Mexican city of San José del Cabo. Local paramedics attempted to resuscitate the child but were forced to pronounce his death. The boy was vacationing with his family and fell into the pool. Shalom Saginiv was the grandson of Rabbi Shalom Arush, one of the leading rabbis of the Breslov Hasidic movement in Israel, head of the 'Chut shel Chesed' institutions for returnees to religion. Mexican authorities demanded a post-mortem examination, but the family refused, and the body was released to them. ZAKA's international unit is assisting family members and coordinating with local authorities to bring the child's body to Israel for burial as soon as possible. The Israeli embassy in Mexico is also helping to arrange the transfer of the body.