The traumatic truth: Former hostage Emily Hand reveals she struggles with nightmares and "can't think about the future"

Emily, visibly affected by her traumatic ordeal, began by expressing her difficulty in imagining a future. She said, “I don’t want to talk about the past... I miss my kibbutz, my friends, and so many people I have lost.” Her heartfelt words reflected the immense emotional toll she continues to face. "I haven’t returned to my home yet... not everyone has returned home safely... and there are those who will never return... and my dreams... are not always good," she continued, touching on the heartbreaking reality of the situation. She emphasized that it’s hard to think about the future when so many are still missing or not returning.

At the end of her speech, Emily's emotional plea resonated with the audience when she shouted, “You can't think about tomorrow without bringing everyone back!”

Ari Steinberg, CEO of "Ashmoret," also addressed the conference, highlighting the profound impact of the October 7th attack, which led to significant loss and hardship for the country. Steinberg spoke of the war, evacuations, and the ongoing struggle many Israelis face, particularly those who have been affected by the hostages still being held. He praised the resilience and resourcefulness of educators and families throughout the crisis, emphasizing the need for continued support as Israel moves forward.

Steinberg closed his address by acknowledging the importance of recalculating the path forward as the country heals and strives to bring every hostage home. The conference, which continues for the next two days, aims to focus on these critical next steps for Israel.