By Kira Caspers
Times of San Diego
SAN DIEGO — A former San Diego summer camper was among the first three hostages released by Hamas after being held for more than a year.
British-Israeli citizen Emily Damari, 28, was released Jan. 19 and returned home Tuesday after being in captivity for 471 days following the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023.
On the day of the attack, Damari was taken from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, Israel, and shot by Hamas militants. She lost two of her fingers.
Over a decade ago, however, the ex-hostage was a member of Camp Mountain Chai’s summer camp program IN THE San Bernardino Mountains for Jewish youth in San Diego.
According to a camp press release, Damari participated as an Atid camper – atid means “future” in Hebrew – through the camp’s partnership with San Diego sister city Sha’ar HaNegev.
“As a former camper of ours, Emily holds a special place in our hearts, and we have prayed for this day to come,” said camp director Rachel Shyloski. “Our thoughts remain with Emily and her family as they begin the process of healing.”
Camp staff said they celebrated Damari’s return alongside Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher, who were also released.
Following the reunion with her family, Damari’s mother said, “Hugging her yesterday, as I had dreamed of doing for so long, was a moment I will never forget.”
Camp Mountain Chai hosts around 500 kids each summer, and camp directors said they will continue to host teens from Sha’ar HaNegev.
The southern Israeli city is home to around 9,000 people and borders northern Gaza.
“While we rejoice, we remain deeply mindful of those still awaiting the return of their loved ones and hold them in our thoughts and prayers,” said camp staff in a press release.
As of Saturday, seven Israeli hostages and 290 Palestinian prisoners have been released under the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement. The agreement outlines the release of 33 total hostages in Gaza and more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
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Kira Caspers is an intern with Times of San Diego with which San Diego Jewish World has a news sharing arrangement under auspices of the San Diego Online News Association.