Much has already been said about last week’s visit by Emily Damari and her family. (See here for Jewish news article). A dream come true!

It’s hard to put into words the collective emotion of our community in the moments when she entered the shul and sat on her own seat.

But, I’d like to focus on the words that she said, which moved me (and others I’m told) to tears. 

“In this holy place, I wish to say the words of Tehillim, that we recited together every single day in Gaza.” The Tehillim that she chose was Mizmor Letodah – which is a prayer of thanksgiving. 

To me, it makes sense to say that prayer here in Shul, when she is no longer in captivity but free to live and walk and travel. However, she didn’t wait till now. Every single day in the worst of the worst of places – she thanked Hashem for the gift of life. What kind of life was she living? Honestly.. in pain from her injuries, afraid for her life, starving and locked underground.

And as I cried, I thought of the times when I’m in a bad mood, when I don’t feel like thanking Hashem, when something trivial or not so trivial has ruined my day. Do I thank Hashem then? I felt truly humbled.

Thank you Emily for teaching us to smile, to look for the good, to give strength to others – even whilst you yourself are in pain.

Attached below is the text of the Tehillim that Emily said. If you could please print it and say it daily, it would be a great source of merit for Emily’s friends Ziv and Gali Berman, together with all of our dear hostages. 

If Emily could find something to thank Hashem for in the depths of Gaza, hopefully we can find something too. 

Shabbat Shalom

Shuli