My Friend Sam is Missing in the Himalayas. He Was On a Healing Mission

My friend Samuel Vengrinovich is missing in the Himalayas.

He was last seen on Friday morning near Indrahar Pass, in the mountains above Dharamsala, India. He had gone hiking with a Dutch friend and several Indian tourists, who returned without him later that day. His passport and phone were left behind at his campsite—indicating his plan to return soon. Now, a major search and rescue operation is underway, with professional and local teams combing the rugged terrain.

Sam wasn’t just another backpacker. He was on a mission—to heal. After the October 7 attacks and the war in Gaza, we spoke often about how deeply Israelis were suffering, how trauma was traveling with them across continents. “Everyone has been affected and has been dealing with their own unique pain and trauma from the war,” he wrote to me. “Everyone… look at us. Look at all the Israelis in Koh Phangan.”

Over the past year, Sam had been deepening his healing practice. He became a certified breathwork instructor in Goa, and we discussed how these simple tools could help people begin to process trauma. He had big plans to raise funds for a new clinic to support thousands of Israelis suffering from PTSD and other war-related wounds.

After several weeks of trekking in the Himalayas of Nepal, Sam made a stop in Dharamsala, where I last heard from him. He told me he was planning to wake up at 5:30 a.m. to attend a public teaching by the Dalai Lama.

There’s a GoFundMe to support the rescue effort. His family is doing everything they can. Please help if you can. Please pray.

We need him back.