Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the mother of 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who is being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, shared a heartbreaking Mother’s Day message for her son. In a video posted online, Rachel is seen reading a letter she had written to Hersh on the eve of his third birthday.
Wearing a shirt with the number 219, symbolizing the number of days Hersh has been held captive, Rachel emotionally read from the letter, expressing her love and longing for her son. She recalled tender moments like watching him sleep in his blue onesie and holding a teddy bear, and the pain of knowing he was growing up without her.
Rachel’s message was filled with love and hope for Hersh’s safe return. She spoke of her ultimate goal as a parent to raise him to be confident and independent, yet her heart ached at the thought of him not needing her anymore. Despite the challenges, Rachel remains a vocal advocate for her son’s release, as well as for the other hostages held by Hamas.
The video ended with Rachel tearfully telling Hersh how much she loves him and urging him to stay strong and survive. The emotional message highlights the pain and longing felt by families of hostages, as they wait for their loved ones to come home.