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Mother Shares Grief and Advocacy in Son's Abduction

4/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Rachel Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli mother, describes her son Hersh being abducted by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attack.
She and her husband fought for his release for 330 days, wearing tape marked with days since the abduction.
They learned of Hersh's execution on the same day they publicly called for his return.
In her new book, When We See You Again, she describes grief as chronic and advocates peace.

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Story summary

Rachel Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli mother, describes her son Hersh being abducted by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attack.
She and her husband fought for his release for 330 days, wearing tape marked with days since the abduction.
They learned of Hersh's execution on the same day they publicly called for his return.
In her new book, When We See You Again, she describes grief as chronic and advocates peace.