Rachel Goldberg-Polin’s son, Hersh, along with over 130 other hostages, was captured by Hamas in the Gaza Strip six months ago. Since then, Rachel has been tirelessly advocating for her son’s return, reassuring him with words of love and encouragement while struggling to cope with the uncertainty surrounding his fate. The families of the hostages, including Rachel’s, have been left in limbo with little information and the agonizing wait for their loved ones to come home. Despite the release of some hostages as part of a ceasefire deal, Rachel has not received any news about Hersh’s well-being or proof of life.
Rachel has taken her advocacy to an international level, meeting with world leaders and speaking out about the hostage crisis. She believes that Israel should compromise in order to bring the hostages home and prevent further suffering on both sides. As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, with thousands killed and widespread destruction, Rachel worries about the innocent lives caught in the conflict.
She hopes for peace and reconciliation, expressing empathy for the pain experienced by both sides. Rachel’s unwavering determination to bring her son and the other hostages home highlights the human cost of the ongoing conflict. She believes that until all the hostages are returned, the trauma of Oct. 7 will continue to weigh heavily on the country, impacting not only the families of the hostages but the nation as a whole.
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