11-Year-Old Jewish Camper With ‘Bright Smile’ Mourned After Mystery Death
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
“Daniel’s bright smile brought joy to many,” read the obituary for Daniel “Ae Roo” Beer, an 11-year-old who died Monday at Jewish summer camp and was mourned at a New Jersey funeral Wednesday.
“Tennis, swimming, piano, basketball, soccer and of course video games were some of the favorite things Daniel enjoyed,” the obituary continued, touching on the grief of brother Ethan Beer and parents Jill and Sam Beer.
Daniel died in still-unknown circumstances Monday, after complaining of intense stomach pain and being transported to a hospital near Camp Nah-Jee-Wah, which is affiliated with the Jewish organization NJY Camps.
“There are no words to describe the sudden loss of a young life, and everyone in the New Jersey Y Camps community is grieving,” camp officials told NorthNewJersey.com. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Daniel and his family.”
Services were held at Robert Schoem’s Menorah Chapel in the town of Paramus, and Daniel will soon be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery, in Saddle Brook.
The results of an autopsy are still to be released. Other children in Daniel’s cabin at the camp were sent to the emergency room pre-emptively and the cabin was disinfected.
Contact Daniel J. Solomon at [email protected] or on Twitter, @DanielJSolomon
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
