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500 Days in Captivity: A Survivor’s Visit of Hope to the Western Wall
Emily Damari during her visit to the Western Wall:
“Amidst the darkness and isolation, I had one moment of light. On the night before Yom Kippur, I managed to listen to the radio. I was deeply moved to hear the Selichot prayers being broadcast from the Western Wall and the prayers being said there on our behalf. It gave me strength. It gave me hope.”
Today, we were honored to host captivity survivor Emily Damari at the Western Wall. Emily was released at the beginning of the current prisoner exchange deal after spending 471 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza.
The highlight of the visit was the moment when Emily stood beside the ancient stones of the Western Wall, a place that had been a source of hope for her even in the darkest of times. Overcome with emotion, she recited the Birkat HaGomel (Blessing of Thanksgiving) and Psalm 100 (Mizmor L’Todah) as a prayer of praise and gratitude for the miracle of her release. Together, we offered a special prayer for the swift return of twin brothers Ziv and Gali Berman and all the other hostages to their homes soon.
After the prayer, we presented Emily with a necklace featuring a pendant of the Western Wall, symbolizing the unbreakable bond between the Jewish people, the Wall, and faith. She then continued her visit to the new archaeological excavations and the recently opened “Sha’ar HaShamayim” (Gateway to Heaven) exhibit in the Western Wall Tunnels.
The Western Wall, which has witnessed countless tears of prayer and longing, was privileged today to see tears of joy and gratitude. Yet our hearts still ache, and we will not cease to pray and believe that the gates of heaven will open and that all the hostages will soon return home.
