Parents of Slain Hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin Share Bittersweet Relief

A Day of Mixed Emotions

• 🕊️ Today is a day of tremendous relief, joyousness, and gratitude for the release of living Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
• 💔 For families like Rachel Goldberg Poland and John Poland, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, it is also bittersweet as their son will not be returning home.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin's Story

• 🎗️ Hersh, an American citizen, was kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival and survived for 328 days in captivity before being executed with five others.
• 🎶 He was among 29 young people who fled to a bomb shelter, where 18 were killed, including Hersh's close friend.
• 🏠 Of the 11 who survived the shelter, four were taken into captivity, and the last of them, Alone Oel, was released today.

Finding Strength in Adversity

• 💬 Hersh's last words to fellow hostages were a quote from Victor Frankl: "When you have a why, you will find a how."
• 🧠 This mantra became a source of strength for the other hostages, helping them find a reason to make it through each day.
• 💪 Upon learning of this quote over 100 days after Hersh's death, his parents found tremendous strength, mission, and purpose.

Honoring Hersh's Memory

• 🕯️ Hersh's loss has galvanized his parents and others to focus on bringing a "deal" to save the lives of others, particularly by securing the return of deceased hostages.
• ✨ While devastated by Hersh's death, they find comfort in the return of other hostages and draw strength from their shared experience.