How the Mother of an October 7 Hostage Found Unity in Grief
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The Bottom Line
Rachel Goldberg-Polin shared her experiences and advocacy at the 2026 TIME 100 Summit.
How This Affects You
Goldberg-Polin's son, Hersh, was kidnapped on October 7 and executed after 328 days in Gaza.
AI Summary
Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son Hersh was one of 251 people kidnapped on October 7, recounted her experiences and advocacy at the 2026 TIME 100 Summit in New York City with TIME Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs. Goldberg-Polin described a video call with President Joe Biden and American hostage families where Biden wept after a mother learned her second daughter had been killed by Hamas, calling it a "human moment of unity within suffering." Her new memoir, *When We See You Again*, discusses her mantra "Hope is mandatory" and how her faith provided solace after Hersh was executed after 328 days in Gaza. Goldberg-Polin stated that grief is a "badge of love" and that she would "pay this price again and again" for the 23 years and 340 days she had her son.
What's Being Done
Goldberg-Polin advocates for hostages and authored the memoir *When We See You Again*.
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