Found Deceased LA - Michael Gelfand 33, left NJ for business, didn't return home, New Orleans, 6 Jan 2022 *Reward*

[Shamrock1]

Sounds like he's just out enjoying his freedom...

I agree, especially if the right photo on the poster is what he was wearing when he ceased communication with his family. Hopefully he hasn’t been harmed while enjoying that freedom. There are a number of ex-Frum/Hasidic/Orthodox organizations; wonder if the family has access to his search histories/texts/emails. JMO.

 

[dotr]

Michael Gelfand, of Jackson, NJ, missing in New Orelans (nj1015.com)

Michael Gelfand (New Orleans police)
''Gelfand is described as 6 feet 2 inches and 200 pounds. He was last wearing blue jeans, white sneakers, a white T-shirt, black hoodie and black baseball cap. He may also be wearing glasses and carrying a blue backpack.

Police asked anyone with information on Gelfand's whereabouts to call them at 504-658-6080.''

Jan 16, 2022
‘We will welcome him home.’ Friends search for New Jersey man who went missing in New Orleans | ArkLaTexHomepage
''The group’s spokesman, Nathan Ginsbury, says the search team has mapped out possible sightings of Gelfand, starting from the Magnolia Hotel at 525 Gravier Street where Gelfand checked out on January 6.
From there, the search has broadened. From the Highway 90 overpass to the west, and from Elysian Fields to the east. The team is searching for Gelfand in a grid pattern in cars, on bicycles, and on foot.''

''Ginsbury and the other searchers insist that Gelfand would want to be home with his wife and children, and with other members of the Orthodox Jewish community.

“As a nation, Orthodox Jews believe we are all one,” says Ginsbury. “[Michael] may, right now, have a struggle that he doesn’t understand (and) that we don’t understand. But he wants to be part of that community still.”

Respectfully wondering , complete speculation, imo.
Is there any chance at all that MG was inspired (got ideas ) from either of these shows?
UNORTHODOX Trailer (2020) Netflix - YouTube
My Unorthodox Life | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube

 

[Shamrock1]

Michael Gelfand, of Jackson, NJ, missing in New Orelans (nj1015.com)

Michael Gelfand (New Orleans police)
''Gelfand is described as 6 feet 2 inches and 200 pounds. He was last wearing blue jeans, white sneakers, a white T-shirt, black hoodie and black baseball cap. He may also be wearing glasses and carrying a blue backpack.

Police asked anyone with information on Gelfand's whereabouts to call them at 504-658-6080.''

Jan 16, 2022
‘We will welcome him home.’ Friends search for New Jersey man who went missing in New Orleans | ArkLaTexHomepage
''The group’s spokesman, Nathan Ginsbury, says the search team has mapped out possible sightings of Gelfand, starting from the Magnolia Hotel at 525 Gravier Street where Gelfand checked out on January 6.
From there, the search has broadened. From the Highway 90 overpass to the west, and from Elysian Fields to the east. The team is searching for Gelfand in a grid pattern in cars, on bicycles, and on foot.''

''Ginsbury and the other searchers insist that Gelfand would want to be home with his wife and children, and with other members of the Orthodox Jewish community.

“As a nation, Orthodox Jews believe we are all one,” says Ginsbury. “[Michael] may, right now, have a struggle that he doesn’t understand (and) that we don’t understand. But he wants to be part of that community still.”

I wonder what Michael wants.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

There’s at least one report out of New Orleans that Gelfand was possibly spotted over the last week enjoying shopping trips and hanging out in bars.

But that didn’t deter a large group from Lakewood, who flew to Louisiana and set up a search command center in a conference room at the Marriott hotel on Canal Street, according to PIX11 News’ New Orleans affiliate, WGNO.
Lakewood, NJ dad missing after business trip to New Orleans | PIX11

 

[Shamrock1]

“They’re also asking for surveillance video from places where people think they’ve spotted Gelfand, and from businesses where Gelfand’s credit card has been used in the last few days. Those businesses include drugstores, grocery stores, and bars, leading to the question of whether or not Gelfand is truly ‘missing.’”
Friends search for New Jersey man who went missing in New Orleans | WGNO.com

If he sought a break from Lakewood (the culture, not the town), this command post set-up isn’t helping IMO.

 

[LauraAnne]

Is he wearing a black cap of some kind in the pic they're using?

 

[dotr]

Jan 14 2022

 

[CptCari]

Jan 16, 2022
‘We will welcome him home.’ Friends search for New Jersey man who went missing in New Orleans | ArkLaTexHomepage
''The group’s spokesman, Nathan Ginsbury, says the search team has mapped out possible sightings of Gelfand, starting from the Magnolia Hotel at 525 Gravier Street where Gelfand checked out on January 6.
From there, the search has broadened. From the Highway 90 overpass to the west, and from Elysian Fields to the east. The team is searching for Gelfand in a grid pattern in cars, on bicycles, and on foot.''

''Ginsbury and the other searchers insist that Gelfand would want to be home with his wife and children, and with other members of the Orthodox Jewish community.

“As a nation, Orthodox Jews believe we are all one,” says Ginsbury. “[Michael] may, right now, have a struggle that he doesn’t understand (and) that we don’t understand. But he wants to be part of that community still.”

Interesting choice of words. Unless it was suspected that he would be a harm to himself or others... adults have the right to go missing, right? I wish they would just be open about what is happening.

 

[CptCari]

“They’re also asking for surveillance video from places where people think they’ve spotted Gelfand, and from businesses where Gelfand’s credit card has been used in the last few days. Those businesses include drugstores, grocery stores, and bars, leading to the question of whether or not Gelfand is truly ‘missing.’”
Friends search for New Jersey man who went missing in New Orleans | WGNO.com

If he sought a break from Lakewood (the culture, not the town), this command post set-up isn’t helping IMO.

If he sought a break and isn't a danger to anyone then they should let him be.

 

[Kimkimba]

I believe this is him.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mordy-gelfand-9b365b96

 

[CptCari]

I believe this is him.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mordy-gelfand-9b365b96

Interesting.

 

[StarRemy8]

I don’t like that guy saying “Michael wants to found, Michael needs to be found and Michael wants to be a part of this community”…umm you are not Michael sir so please don’t act like you know everything going on in his life and in his head.

They should surely be able to see at this point if/where his debit/credit cards have been used and check with those places as there is a group down there looking for him. I am all about finding missing people but disagree with that if someone doesn’t want to be found. While it’s pretty terrible to put your own freedom first while leaving your wife, children and community he has every right to do so. We are all human and humans make crappy decisions sometimes so while I don’t agree with his choice (if that is what he did) to leave everyone freaking out that thinking that something bad happened to him if he just wanted a break or another lifestyle but I also believe we don’t know what anyone is ever going through and their reasons for things so I just have to respect that if that is the case.

 

[annpats]

If he sought a break from Lakewood (the culture, not the town), this command post set-up isn’t helping IMO.

Exactly! It may even panic him and drive him further away! (It certainly would with me!)
The "community" sound like they don't want him out of their clutches.....so I don't blame him for needing a break.

Yes, it's nice to care, but care can come in many ways, and sometimes that's letting people be.

 

[Kristin Esq.]

I'm reading here that some thinks he just went off on his own. Why do you think that?

 

[meanmaryjean]

I'm reading here that some thinks he just went off on his own. Why do you think that?

Because of this:
“They’re also asking for surveillance video from places where people think they’ve spotted Gelfand, and from businesses where Gelfand’s credit card has been used in the last few days. Those businesses include drugstores, grocery stores, and bars, leading to the question of whether or not Gelfand is truly ‘missing.’”
Friends search for New Jersey man who went missing in New Orleans | WGNO.com

 

[dotr]

I'm reading here that some thinks he just went off on his own. Why do you think that?

It is certainly possible that MG is missing of his own choosing, but he also could genuinely be in trouble and the apparent sightings be of someone who looks like him, they have to check it out just in case, imo.

 

[Kristin Esq.]

Because of this:
“They’re also asking for surveillance video from places where people think they’ve spotted Gelfand, and from businesses where Gelfand’s credit card has been used in the last few days. Those businesses include drugstores, grocery stores, and bars, leading to the question of whether or not Gelfand is truly ‘missing.’”
Friends search for New Jersey man who went missing in New Orleans | WGNO.com

If he's been using his credit cards, he's not "hiding" - why is it so hard to find him? Haven't they looked at a pattern of usage? Like maybe he's frequenting the same bar.

MOO

ETA: unless something happened to him, and someone who looks like him is using his information

 

[StarRemy8]

Interesting.

I thought his "About Me" was interesting for sure. It may be nothing but seems like a its a little all over the place. I wonder how long ago he wrote that as well. And then I also found the comment he liked to be a little telling. It seems to me as if he was questioning things in life and general and felt somewhat lost possibly.

 

[bykerladi]

We all need to keep in mind the cultural facets of this as well. At least here in NJ, the orthodox community is very tight, and you just don't leave. You're not allowed. So if Michael was feeling overwhelmed, he couldn't just walk away here. He'd HAVE to leave the state to get some space between him and the elders. The fact that they're sending a search party out there is actually alarming.

 

[Spartygirl]

Because of this:
“They’re also asking for surveillance video from places where people think they’ve spotted Gelfand, and from businesses where Gelfand’s credit card has been used in the last few days. Those businesses include drugstores, grocery stores, and bars, leading to the question of whether or not Gelfand is truly ‘missing.’”
Friends search for New Jersey man who went missing in New Orleans | WGNO.com

But we don't know, do we, if it was HIM using the credit card(s) ???

I know it says he has been spotted by People who THINK they have seen him and I do pray it is him and he is alive and just taking a break.

But it may not have been him using the cards, especially if something nefarious happened to him, so I hope the stores give LE video tapes for each place and I really do hope it is him.