The family of missing Jackson resident Mortimer Wortman returned to the township to thank the volunteers who turned out to search for him, singling out Chaveirim for showing up ready to help and offering to come back whenever needed.

In remarks at a township meeting, a family representative described the response as the community coming together as one.

“They came on time. They came ready. They came ready to go,” she said of Chaveirim’s volunteers.

She said the group did more than join the search: after finishing, the volunteers offered to return as many times as the family needed them.

“That is big for a group of people that don’t know who we are to take their time and say, anytime call us, we’re there,” she said.

The family representative said 109 volunteers had signed waivers, a count that did not include Chaveirim or the state troopers who participated. She also thanked residents and state troopers who searched on horseback.

The thanks followed Sunday’s large search in the Jackson woods, which brought together Chaveirim, the New Jersey State Police Mounted Unit, Conservation Police and other volunteers. Searchers were briefed at a command post at the Regional Day School, with Rockland Chaverim assisting with logistics.

Wortman was reported missing in November 2025. Jackson Police said he was last seen on November 21 of that year in the wooded area near High Bridge Road. His family had appealed for help at an earlier council meeting.