Can 9 Minutes Make A Difference?
Can 9 Minutes Make A Difference?
How Hersh Goldberg-Polin's parents' message hit home.
It’s just possible that the incredibly poignant plea Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin made at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night in Chicago on behalf of their son, Hersh – and all of the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza – touched the hearts of millions of Americans more than any other effort to describe their plight since October 7.
Watching on TV, one could see the emotional responses on the faces of the tens of thousands in the arena, feel the stillness of the crowd as they listened intently, and hear the enthusiastic applause that surprised and overwhelmed Jon and Rachel.
Hersh’s parents have traveled the globe these last 10 months, met with world leaders, including the pope and the president, addressed the United Nations, and given countless interviews in seeking support for the return of the hostages. They have been eloquent, articulate, passionate – and somehow composed – in explaining what it feels like to live each day with fear, dread, hope and faith.
Many of us have followed their journey through the media and feel like we know the family. For those who didn’t see Jon and Rachel’s presentation, or wish to see it again, the link is below.
As the long-dragged out negotiations over the fate of the hostages continue, the sense of urgency is at its most heightened state. May this Shabbat be the last that these innocent men, women and children remain in captivity. May the words of the prayer, Acheinu, recited by so many of us with fervor since October 7, be heard and answered:
“As for our brothers and sisters of the whole house of Israel who are in distress or captivity, on sea or land, may the All-Present have compassion on them and lead them from distress to relief, from darkness to light, and from oppression to freedom, now, swiftly and soon – and let us say, Amen.”
Shabbat shalom.
Here is the link to Jon and Rachel’s talk:. DOUBLE CLICK TO BEGIN.
Yes, so agree. By chance, we sat behind Jon and Rachel at a rally in Jerusalem on Day 300. It was so stirring as we all davened Mincha and sang Acheinu. I so felt their pain watching them. I am so glad they had a chance to present their story to the large audience at the DNC and watching on TV. May we soon hear of the release of the hostages.
i would hope so and certainly echo your prayers however the rest of the convention with its nod to the left wing antisemitic anti zionist wing of the party - whose representatives were given generous airtime aand thereby implicit recognition for their views - was enough to bring me to despair ; the total moral equivalence espoused by everyone from Biden down with their understanding of how the protesters outside can be totally understood for their views was disgusting. - oh sorry - sorry. there was no moral equivalence because no one had the backbone to say that Israel had a right to defend itself and get its hostages back so the only morality seen was in the side of pro Hamas maniacs. guess i cannot focus on nine minutes when four days were so saddening.