‘Flood the world with goodness,' parents of hostage killed by Hamas say at Montreal event
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The parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old Israeli-American who Hamas took hostage and later killed, urged Canadians to push back against misinformation and 'flood the world with goodness' during a public appearance in Montreal.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin spoke at the Montreal Holocaust Museum Monday at an event moderated by community member Lisa Singer and organized by Federation CJA.
The couple shared their son's story with the hundreds of people who turned out, highlighting the 58 hostages still believed to be held in Gaza.
During the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 2023, which killed around 1,200 people — mostly civilians — their son Hersh was taken from a bomb shelter. Part of his arm was severed from a rocket blast.
Held in Gaza for nearly 11 months, Hersh was confirmed dead in August 2024. When his body was recovered, it showed signs of close-range gunshot wounds to the hand, neck, shoulder and head. He was one of six hostages Hamas executed shortly before their remains were found.
On Monday, the couple spoke about their lives before and after the Oct. 7 attack, who their son was, and what gives them the strength to carry on. They described Hersh as a friend to everyone and full of life.
Born in Berkeley, Calif., and raised in Richmond, Va., Hersh moved to Israel with his family in 2008. He had recently returned from travelling in Europe and was planning to explore more of the world when he attended the Re'im Music Festival near the Gaza border.
'He was a normal person. Not perfect, but the perfect son for me,' Goldberg-Polin said. 'I feel like God was very wise, saying, 'Rachel's going to have one son — this is the one she's getting.''
Goldberg-Polin stressed the need to not shy away from what happened to Hersh and others. Even the forensic details, she said, such as gunpowder embedded in his hair from being shot at close range, should not be hidden.
'It's the truth, and it's testimony, and I think that's critical. … In a world where so much can be manipulated, where there's AI and disinformation, truthful testimony matters.'
They described a meeting with another released hostage who had seen Hersh weeks into captivity. Despite his injuries, they said he stayed mentally strong and often repeated the phrase: 'He who has a 'why' can bear almost any 'how.''
The couple has been travelling the globe to share Hersh's story and rally international support for the remaining hostages.
Asked when she misses him most, Goldberg-Polin replied: 'When I'm breathing.'
'I had a son, and I loved him, and he knew it, and he loved me, and I knew it. I was blessed — and I am blessed.'
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