Grief and Resilience: Remembering Hersh Goldberg-Polin and the Aftermath of the October 7 Attacks

Grief Doesn’t Get Better: A Mother’s Perspective

The mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American found dead in Gaza nearly 11 months after being abducted, talked about her experience of grief. Rachel Goldberg-Polin shared with NBC News that the pain ‘doesn’t get better.’ She expressed hope that ‘it might get different.’ She noted that, with time, there is a growing hunger or thirst for the loved one who is gone.

Hersh was among six hostages taken by Hamas, whose bodies were discovered in a tunnel beneath Rafah in southern Gaza in September 2024. Born in the United States, Hersh moved to Israel with his family when he was seven.

Rachel Goldberg-Polin feared that the grief might worsen as the yearning and longing remain constant. ‘A couple of weeks ago, I was crumpled on the floor crying. My daughter asked what happened, and I told her I hadn’t seen my son in three years.’

Warnings for Israelis Abroad

On the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, Israel’s National Security Council instructed Israelis living abroad to remain cautious. The Prime Minister’s office warned of an increased risk of attacks against Israelis and Jews overseas. Citizens were advised not to share travel plans or security service connections on social media. Travelers were urged to avoid Jordan, Qatar, Somaliland, and Egypt, and to limit speaking Hebrew in crowded areas.

Remembering Hersh: Extraordinary in His Simplicity

Rachel Goldberg-Polin stated that what was extraordinary about her son Hersh was his ordinariness. Despite the tragic circumstances, she resisted mythologizing him. She described him as ‘a perfect match,’ filled with both beauty and flaws. The family continues to honor his memory amid their loss.

Israel’s Nationwide Commemoration

To mark the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks, Israel observed a nationwide moment of silence at 6:29 a.m., the exact time the assaults began in 2023. At the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, President Isaac Herzog and first lady Michal Herzog began the tributes by lighting a memorial candle. This was part of a series of events to commemorate those lost in the attacks.