Emily Damari Turns 30 and Reveals Her Biggest Wish

Photo: Emily Damari’s Instagram account

Emily Damari celebrated her 30th birthday alongside her friends, fellow former hostages Liri Albag, Naama Levy, Agam Berger, Doron Steinbrecher and Romi Gonen. Damari shared that the moment was deeply meaningful to her: "When I was in captivity, they were separated from me, and I didn’t celebrate my birthday with them. That was my biggest wish, that in the darkest place they would be the light."

According to her, the new decade of her life could not have begun without them. In a video she posted online, she gave thanks: "Thank God for everything."

This morning, Emily shared that amid the celebrations, the most important thing for her was to travel south and visit her father, who has Alzheimer’s: "To give him a hug, listen to music with him and hold his hand. If he could, he would be the first to come and congratulate me."

The former hostage thanked God for every moment with her father, "on his good days and on the less good ones. This is our life." She said that when she used to think about her father during the difficult days, she would sing Rami Kleinstein’s song "On the Old Bridge," which he especially loves.

"In one moment he looked at me in the eyes, and we both just burst into tears," she said. Later, she took the opportunity to thank him: "You are my heart, Dad. Thank you for who you are for me, for all the lessons you taught me and for those I am still learning thanks to you."