The tragic death of a young Jewish teenager on a trip to Israel has prompted a senior figure at the World Mizrachi Movement to attempt to reach out to his former students “who feel that there is no-one to talk to about their sexuality.”

Jonny Lipczer, the director of communications at World Mizrachi, which is affiliated with the Bnei Akiva youth movement, made his comments after a South African teenager, whom the JC has decided not to name, took his own life while on an Israel trip.

In a message shared widely on social media, the boy's parents described their “devastation and heartbreak”, saying that before his death, their son had written a letter on his phone sharing his reasons for taking his life.

“He explained that he was struggling with his place in the world, his transition into adulthood, his identity and with his sexuality. He felt his pain was too deep to live with,” they said.

“If only…[he] had shared his internal struggles, we would have accepted him for who he was. In his mind he felt that society would never accept him."

Although it is unclear whether the young man was on an organised Israel trip or a holiday to the country, he had previously been part of the Bnei Akiva movement in South Africa.

Writing on Facebook, Mr Lipczer addressed “chanichim/students whom we have had the privilege to educate.

“Many people in the Orthodox world feel that there is no-one to talk to about their sexuality”, he wrote.  

“It is not simple to be LGBT+ and Orthodox. We may not have all the answers, but we are happy to talk about it or direct you to others who could help you.

“Consider this an invitation to talk. However long it’s been, we are saying to you, loudly and clearly, don’t hesitate or feel uncomfortable to send a message or pick up the phone.

“We believe that each and every one of us is valued and has a place within the Jewish world. We are here for you, for anything you’d like to talk about.”

The family of the teenager ended their own message by saying: “If there is any lesson to be learned from this devastating tragedy, it is that we must work harder on creating a world whereby each child should be able to be who they are without feeling judged and be surrounded by love.”