In a remarkable story of faith and compassion that emerged following Emily Damari's release from Hamas captivity, details have surfaced about a Hasidic student who prayed daily for her safe return after a chance encounter with her mother on a London-bound flight.
The encounter took place shortly after the Sukkot holiday, when the young religious student was returning to London from Israel. What began as a potentially awkward moment over seating arrangements turned into a touching interfaith connection that would span the entire period of Emily's captivity.
According to the student's father, who shared the story with our reporters, the incident began when his son realized he had been assigned a seat next to a female passenger. Following Orthodox Jewish religious guidelines about gender separation, he politely requested a seat change. While his initial request was met with rejection and criticism from one passenger, another woman - who turned out to be Emily Damari's mother - stepped forward with both understanding and a request of her own.
"His commitment to his religious principles moved me," she reportedly told the young man, offering to help arrange a seating swap. But she had one request in return: "I have a daughter who is being held hostage in Gaza. Please pray for her every day until she comes home safe."
The student honored that request, adding Emily's Hebrew name - Emily Tehila bat Amanda Francis - to his daily prayers, alongside his prayers for all the hostages. He continued this practice throughout her captivity, until news broke this Sunday of her release alongside fellow hostages Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher.
The story, which has been verified by family members, offers a glimpse into the countless ways the hostage crisis has united people across different religious and cultural backgrounds, as Israelis and the international community continue to pray and hope for the safe return of all remaining hostages.
Emily Damari is currently receiving care at Tel HaShomer Hospital with her family by her side.
Kikar HaShabbat contributed to this article.
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