Former hostage Emily Damari is reunited with her mother, on Jan. 19, 2025. Credit: Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson’s Unit.

We think of heroes as soldiers who risk their lives for their country, firefighters who run into burning buildings while others run out, and police officers who try to protect people and know their lives are on the line.

But in my book, you can also be a hero by inspiring people and overcoming great obstacles or traumatic events. I thought of that when I saw the picture of freed hostage Emily Damari, who gave a “rock on” sign with her hand, as she had lost two fingers after being shot in the Hamas terrorist attack of October 7, during which she was abducted.

Last week, I went to the Anne Frank Exhibition in Manhattan and I suggest everyone that can, goes there. I thought about what Anne must have thought, knowing that her family could be found by the Nazis at any time. And yet despite this, one has to try to continue to live.

I thought of what Damari must have gone through, and how easy it must have been to give up any hope of surviving or being freed. Channel 12 in Israel reported that Damari asked her captors to free an older male hostage before her, because he was in “worse shape.”

That is a person of unbelievable strength, more so, perhaps, than someone who can bench press 600 pounds. Imagine having the chance to be freed after 15 months, and saying someone else should be freed first. This deal could fall apart at any time, so if for whatever reason, this man was released before her, that would mean Damari was taking a risk on never being released.

There are many people in life who talk about being unselfish, but this is a level that we have not seen.

Her photo is one of defiance, and one that promotes life. I’ve spoken with relatives whose loved ones were murdered by Hamas and to see some go free is wonderful, regardless of whether one thinks the deal was the correct move by the Israeli government.

I doubt the women kidnapped by Hamas had an opportunity to write any diary like Anne Frank did. The world should have learned from her diary — that people should not be killed or taken hostage or have to hide because of their religion.

There are Hamas murderers going free, and while it is naïve to think they won’t do it again, I hope that they take a chance on a life without violence. There are also Palestinians who have suffered and opposed Hamas’ invasion of Israel on October 7, but speaking out against Hamas could get them killed.

I wondered if Anne Frank is in heaven to look down and see the rise of antisemitism, if she would say people need to realize that hate only destroys.

I wonder what words Anne Frank would have written if she lived, but luckily, Damari will be able to share her thoughts, though we should never expect the whole truth from freed hostages while there are others still in captivity.

As a teacher, I always tried to promote positivity, and there is a fine line between looking on the bright side of things and being naïve. The reason Anne Frank’s diary is read by many is that six million Jews is a statistic — but the story of one Jewish girl personalizes it. Damari is an example of this on a smaller scale; that she could raise her hand that was mutilated and bandaged shows a strength that few have.

After her release, Damari said that she came back to life. I hope so.

Perhaps a movie will be made about Damari’s experience. She is my hero.

The author is a writer based in New York.