By james art 
By Kira Casperrs
San Diego’s times
San Diego, a former holiday in San Diego, was among the first three hostages, freed from Hamas after being held for more than a year.
British-Israeli citizen Emily Damari, 28, was released on January 19th and returned home on Tuesday after being captured 471 days after Hamas’ attacks on October 7, 2023.
On the day of the attack, Damari was taken from her home in Kibbutza Kfar Aza, Israel, and shot dead by Hamas fighters. She lost two of her fingers.
More than a decade ago, however, the former hostage was a member of the Camp Mountain Chai Summer Camp Program in the San Bernardino Mountains for Jewish Youth in San Diego.
According to a press release from the Damari camp, it has participated as an ATID -ATID camper means a “future” of Hebrew – through the partnership of the camp with the twin Diego Shaar Hanegev.
“As our former camp, Emily takes a special place in our hearts and we pray that this day will come,” said camp director Rachel Shiloski. “Our thoughts remain with Emily and her family as they begin the healing process.”
Camp staff said they were celebrating Damari’s return with Roma Gonen and Doron Steinbreher, who were also released.
After meeting her family, Damari’s mother said, “Hug her yesterday as I dreamed of doing as long, it was a moment I would never forget.”
Camp Mountain Chai hosts about 500 children every summer and camp directors said they would continue to accept teenagers from Sha’ar Hanegev.
The southern Israeli city is home to about 9,000 people and borders North Gaza.
“As long as we are glad, we remain deeply attentive to those who still expect the return of their loved ones and keep them in our thoughts and prayers,” said the camp staff in a press release.
As of Saturday, seven Israeli hostages and 290 Palestinian prisoners were released under the fire termination agreement between Israel and Hamas. The agreement envisages the release of a total of 33 hostages in Gaza and more than 1900 Palestinian prisoners.
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Kira Casperrs is an intern at San Diego’s times with which The Jewish world in San Diego There is an agreement to share news under the auspices of the San Diego Online News Association.