85-year-old Yaffa Adar was a prisoner of Hamas for 45 days.
She was recently released as part of the prisoner exchange Israel agreed to as part of a temporary ceasefire.
Recently, Adar gave a lionizing but heartbreaking interview with Israeli Channel 12 News, in which she said she refused to let the terrorists break her. Even in the midst of all the horror of that day, the videos and pictures shows her never dropping her gaze or showing her captors anything but contempt.
The woman's grit was forged as a child in the Holocaust.
(I guess Hamas was nothing in comparison.)
Adar's life is forever changed. She lost friends and family members.
Some are still being held hostage by Hamas.
Through it all, she said that whenever things seemed bleak, she would sing music by the famous Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli in her head.
"Every morning, I'd sing Bocelli to myself and say, ‘God, maybe this will bring a good day. Maybe today will bring [my release],'" she shared.
Against all odds, while Bocelli and his team were lighting a menorah in support of Israel, someone shared Adar's story with him.
The opera singer wrote the following letter to her.
(The beauty of this letter is worth reading every word.)
"Dearest Madam Yaffa,
I wish I could give you a hug. I would like to thank you for the emotion that your story aroused in all the people who had the privilege to listen to it, and especially in me, as, quite incredibly, I am part of it!" he wrote.
"I truly would never have thought that my humble voice, this great gift I undeservedly received from the heavens could one day turn out to be so important. There is no award, no applause, no honor or recognition that is worth as much as your words, which I assure you, I shall never forget," Bocelli said.
"Thanks to you, from now on I shall sing with renewed enthusiasm, with renewed faith, with new energy. I hope to be able to meet you one day and sing, just for you, whatever you may wish, so as to erase, as far as possible, the painful memory of terrible days, which I cannot even imagine.
"I deeply admire your courage, which is an example for us all. From the other side of the ocean, I send you my warmest regards, full of gratitude, admiration and affection."
Her reaction to the letter was equally moving.
"Wow! Wow! It's the highlight of my life.
"It's an honor for me. Wow! I am honestly so moved. How incredible. How incredible!
"Andrea Bocelli! Who would believe?! I have, in my hand, a letter from Andrea Bocelli!"
If you're not familiar with Andrea Bocelli and aren't sure what all the hubbub's about, here's a taste of this year's Bocelli family Christmas special:
Enjoy your concert, Madam Yaffa!
I pray it's a blessing!
P.S. Now check out our latest video 👇
