Mother Reflects on Grief After Son’s Death

The mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli American, recently shared her enduring grief after her son’s body was found nearly 11 months after he was taken hostage. Speaking to NBC News, Rachel Goldberg-Polin stated, “Grief doesn’t get better. It might get different.” She added, “Time makes you more hungry or more thirsty for your person.”

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was taken during the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, was discovered in a tunnel beneath Gaza’s southern city of Rafah in September 2024. Rachel, his mother, expressed concern that her grief could worsen because “that yearning, that longing, that craving is forever.” Reflecting on her sorrow, she recalled an emotional moment with her daughter, stating, “I haven’t seen my son in three years.”

Security Warnings for Israelis Abroad

On the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, Israel’s National Security Council advised Israelis living abroad to remain vigilant. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office warned of heightened risks against Israelis and Jews internationally. The public is urged to avoid sharing travel plans on social media and minimize speaking Hebrew in public spaces. Travelers are cautioned against visiting Jordan, Qatar, Somaliland, and Egypt.

A Mother’s Tribute to Her ‘Ordinary’ Son

Rachel Goldberg-Polin, in her interview, emphasized that the extraordinary aspect of her son was his ordinariness. There is a tendency to elevate victims to mythical status, particularly in tragic situations, she noted. However, she described Hersh as her “perfect match,” highlighting his ordinary nature, filled with both beauty and flaws.

Commemorating the October 7 Attacks

Israel marked the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks with a moment of silence at the precise time the assault began in 2023. Israeli President Isaac Herzog and first lady Michal Herzog initiated the commemorations by lighting a memorial candle at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.