The body of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, one of the Chabad shluchim serving in the United Arab Emirates, was discovered on Sunday following a four-day search, according to local authorities. Rabbi Kogan was 28 years old.
Born on the 26th of Menachem Av 5756 (1996) to Rabbi Alexander and Etel Kogan, he grew up in a Litvish chareidi family in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood of Yerushalayim.
As a youth, Rabbi Kogan studied at Yeshivas Maoz Chayil in Yerushalayim, Rabeinu Chaim Ozer in Bnei Brak, and the Mir Yeshiva in Yerushalayim. Following his yeshiva studies, he served in the Israel Defense Forces as part of the Givati Brigade, an operational combat unit.
Both Zvi and his brother Reuven later developed a strong connection to Chabad Chassidus and adopted its teachings. The brothers relocated to the UAE to assist Rabbi Levi Duchman, the Chief Rabbi of the United Arab Emirates, in strengthening Jewish life in the region.
Since the signing of the Abraham Accords, the Jewish community in the Emirates has experienced significant growth. This expansion has included the establishment of synagogues, the opening of the first Jewish educational center in the Gulf, and the availability of a variety of kosher food options.
In March 2022, Rabbi Kogan married Rivky Spielman, a Lubavitcher from Crown Heights and a niece of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, the Chabad emissary tragically killed during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
The couple soon began their own shlichus in Abu Dhabi, where Rivky worked as a teacher while Rabbi Kogan managed the Rimon Kosher supermarket in Dubai, a hub for Jewish tourists and residents.

A friend described him as “a cheerful person who never said ‘no’ to anyone, always helping and assisting everyone. Every person would leave him feeling sorted; he always knew how to guide and assist. He was a modest individual who honored his parents in a remarkable way, a truly G-d-fearing person who consistently remained humble. His trait of gratitude was well-known and admired.”
Last Thursday, Rabbi Kogan went missing in the middle of the day. His car was later found abandoned in Al Ain, approximately 93 miles from Abu Dhabi.
According to Israeli news sources, Israeli intelligence believes that Rabbi Kogan was being monitored by Iranian operatives.
A joint statement from Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office and the Foreign Affairs Ministry affirmed: “The Israeli mission in Abu Dhabi has been in contact with the family since the beginning of the incident and continues to support them during this difficult time. His family in Israel has also been informed.”
The statement also declared: “The murder of the late Zvi Kogan is a criminal antisemitic terrorist attack. The State of Israel will act by all means and bring the criminals responsible for his death to justice.”
In response to the tragedy, Israel’s National Security Council has urged citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the UAE. Although the country’s travel warning remains at Level 3 (medium threat), there is heightened concern that Israelis and Jews in the Emirates may face additional risks, according to N12.

Rabbi Kogan leaves behind his wife Rivky, his parents Rabbi Alexander and Etel Kogan of Yerushalayim, his siblings, and his in-laws, R’ Shmuel and Devorah Spielman of Crown Heights.
The levaya is expected to take place in Israel.
Hashem yikom damo.
{Matzav.com}