Hersh Goldberg-Polin

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, of Jerusalem, an American-Israeli, was abducted to the Gaza Strip from the Nova Music Festival on October 7. Wounded in the attack, his left arm was amputated while he was in captivity. He was held captive for over 300 days before being brutally murdered just a few days ago. On Saturday, August 31, 2024, a combined IDF-ISA force located his body and returned it to Israel. Hersh attended the Nova music fesitval with his good friend, Aner Shapiro, who was killed while heroically throwing back grenades which were sent into the shelter where they were hiding. Aner, Hersh and Ben Zussman, who fell in battle, all studied in the same class at the Himmelfarb High School in Jerusalem. Hersh's parents, Rachel and Jon, worked tireleslly for 11 months to spread their message of love and hope for the release of their dear son. Hersh's picture was seen all over Jerusalem and Israel, and during soccer games of his favorite team, HaPoel Yerushalim.