The first anniversary of October 7 passes. Amid a Jewish festival period.
Within a circle of prayer like this, the grief is palpable. What can be said?
Perhaps it helps to draw our focus to Rachel Goldberg, mother of 23-year-old hostage, Hersh Goldberg-Polin (2001-2024). Rachel has been one of the most well-known faces of the hostage crisis and an astonishing example of faith, courage, parental love and relentless hope in the face of unspeakable suffering over the past year,
Here, in her words of eulogy, Rachel parts with her son Hersh. Rising above the horror of her son’s abduction and murder, and refusing it the last word, she responds with words of gratitude for her son’s life, for the time that they had together, which was too short, yet pure gift. Gratitude for life, in the face of unspeakable events of hatred, suffering and death. Truly, this woman reveals to us something of the very heart of the Creator!
Emboldened by Rachel’s fortitude, let us resolutely tie another yellow ribbon and continue to pray for the remaining hostages, their families, and all who are impacted by their loss or absence.
Let our prayer be a choice for life.