Elma has been living in kibbutz Nahal Oz for the past 50 years. On Saturday 7 October, 84-year-old Elma was kidnapped from her home on the kibbutz.
Elma’s children Tal, Uri and Roy say that their mother is a happy, optimistic woman, who still holds some of the innocence of the founders’ generation. She is a woman loved by everyone, accepting every person as he is. She has golden hands, and her house is full of her own ceations: sculptures, paintings and ceramics. She is a warm-hearted, open person, a talkative woman with wonderful flexibility of thought. Although she suffered from chronic diseases, she was medically balanced and took good care of herself.
However, in captivity in Gaza Elma was severely neglected. She did not receive life-saving drugs and her health deteriorated.
In November Elma was released from Hamas captivity as part of a temporary cease-fire deal. Upon her return, she was rushed by helicopter to Soroka Hospital. Since her return from captivity her condition is slowly improving and the doctors speak of her as a medical miracle.
While she was held hostage in Gaza, her great-grandson was born.