When We See You Again

Navigating life's journey with my husband Jon, our days unfolded in a simple, contented routine. Though seemingly ordinary, our lives felt deeply fulfilling. However, on October 7th, 2023, everything changed for Rachel Goldberg-Polin when her cherished son, Hersh, was kidnapped from a music festival—a moment meant to celebrate unity and love. This event sharply divided her life into 'Before' and 'After.' Over the following eleven months, she and Jon tirelessly campaigned both publicly and privately for the release of the hostages, facing intense emotional and psychological challenges. Rachel's heartfelt appeals brought attention to the crisis, making her a significant figure in the narrative. The ordeal culminated tragically when, after enduring 328 days of brutality, Hersh and five other hostages were executed, marking the profound cost of the situation. In her book, "When We See You Again," Rachel channels her pain, love, and yearning, speaking to those who feel broken. She reveals that even amidst overwhelming darkness, there's a unique form of light to be found. Her extreme experiences reflect a universal journey of grappling with grief. It is about remembering, enduring, and experiencing both suffering and love. Rachel poignantly shares, “There are days of complete breakdown, entire days consumed by tears—a physical impossibility, yet the tears never cease. And then some days, a whisper of sunlight appears—not in the sky, but within me, within us.”