Rachel Goldberg-Polin, 2024
American-Israeli activist, primarily focused on resolving the hostage crisis following the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023
48 x 60 inches
Oil on canvas
“We became absolutely certain that you were coming home alive. But it was not to be... How do we live the rest of our lives without you? I pray that your death will be a turning point in this horrible situation we are in… Ok, sweet boy, go now on your journey, I hope it’s as good as the trips you dreamed about, because finally, my sweet sweet boy, finally, finally, finally, finally you are FREE!”
—Rachel Goldberg Polin
Goldberg-Polin, began her activism after her son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, was abducted to the Gaza Strip by Hamas while attending the Re’im Music Festival on October 7, 2023. She quit her job to focus full-time on working towards freeing the hostages. Throughout the ordeal she attempted to draw attention to the hostage crisis by taping the number of days they were held captive to her shirt. To urge action on a hostage deal Goldberg Polin also attended rallies and spoke to prominent politicians including Vice President Kamala Harris and the national security advisor Jake Sullivan. She and her husband Jon Polin spoke at the Democratic National Convention and received a standing ovation with the audience chanting ‘bring him home.’ On August 30 she joined a rally on the Gaza border and broadcast her voice with messages to Hersh. On August 31 the death of her son Hersh Goldberg Polin was announced. His funeral was held on Day 332. Rachel Goldberg Polin has since criticized the Israeli government and leaders for ‘not doing enough’.