IN CONVERSATION WITH RACHEL GOLDBERG-POLIN AND JOHN POLIN AT MDYHS
Magen David Yeshivah High School had the profound privilege of welcoming Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin for a powerful and deeply moving conversation about grief, resilience, faith, and the enduring legacy of their son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin z”l.
Thoughtfully moderated by juniors Sandra Sassoon and Jason Waknin, the discussion explored themes from Rachel’s book, When We See You Again, including navigating “the before” and “the after,” finding purpose through pain, and the ways our Jewish heritage sustains us through life’s greatest challenges. Jon reflected on his experiences meeting Jewish communities around the world over the past many months, while Rachel shared how Shabbat continues to anchor her and how the tape she wore each day, marked with the number of days the hostages were held captive, became a simple yet powerful symbol that allowed Jews around the world to carry the hostages with them wherever they went.
Introduced by Rabbi Eli Mansour and Mrs. Stefanie Cohen, who spoke movingly about how Rachel’s book helped guide her own grief journey following the loss of her brother, Sammy Harari, HY”D, the program resonated deeply with everyone in attendance.
Rachel explained that she chooses to speak to students because she believes they are the generation that will carry these lessons forward. She encouraged our students to place these messages “in their pocket” and draw upon them as they navigate the challenges, complexities, and realities of the current climate facing the Jewish people. Her message was both timeless and urgent: everything we need can be found within our beautiful heritage, and it is our responsibility to carry those values with us wherever we go.
In one of the most powerful moments of the afternoon, Rachel thanked the audience for carrying “a molecule” of their family’s pain and for standing with them throughout this unimaginable journey. Her words reminded us that even the smallest acts of empathy, solidarity, and remembrance matter.
It was a special honor to host Rachel and Jon at MDYHS, and we extend our sincere gratitude to Ricky Novick for helping make this meaningful visit possible. May Hersh’s legacy continue to inspire us to live with purpose, resilience, and faith, and to always live for our why.
