Rachel Goldberg-Polin, mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was abducted from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, and later confirmed killed in captivity, has released a memoir titled “When We See You Again.” The book chronicles her family’s harrowing experience, their public and private efforts to secure the release of hostages, and her journey through grief and remembrance.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the book, published by Random House, delves into the profound personal tragedy that reshaped Goldberg-Polin’s life into “The Before” and “The After.” The memoir details the eleven months following her son Hersh’s abduction, during which she and her husband, Jon Polin, tirelessly advocated for the hostages’ return. Goldberg-Polin became a prominent global voice for the hostage crisis, speaking with world leaders and at international forums.
The book explores the emotional and psychological torment experienced by the families of those abducted, while Goldberg-Polin sought to inject humanity into the dire situation. “When We See You Again” also addresses the ultimate cost of the conflict, following the confirmation of Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s death and that of five other captives after enduring 328 days of captivity. This event made Goldberg-Polin a face of the crisis’s tragic conclusion.
In her writing, Goldberg-Polin shares her pain, love, and longing, aiming to give voice to those suffering and to find light even in darkness. She describes the extreme nature of her experience but frames it as a universal story of living with grief, remembering, persevering, suffering, and loving. She candidly writes about days of overwhelming sorrow, stating, “There are days when I break completely… I have cried for an entire day straight. I didn’t think it was physically possible, but the weeping never let up.” She also speaks of moments of internal light and hope, even amidst profound despair.
The memoir is described as a searing portrait of a mother’s grief and strength. Goldberg-Polin, an educator originally from Chicago who now resides in Jerusalem, stated that the book recounts the initial steps of a journey that will consume the rest of her life. She has also narrated the audiobook edition of “When We See You Again.” The book was officially released on April 21, 2026.
The events described in the book began on October 7, 2023, when militants attacked southern Israel, abducting individuals, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, from a music festival. His mother’s advocacy efforts included meetings with figures such as U.S. President Joe Biden and Pope Francis, as well as addresses at the United Nations and protest rallies. She previously marked each day of her son’s captivity by wearing masking tape with the number of days written on it.
The book’s narrative extends to August 31, 2024, when Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s body was recovered. The advocacy continued until the final hostage was recovered on January 26, 2026. The memoir is positioned not just as a personal account but as a universal story about coping with loss and finding resilience.
Global Affairs Desk at The Chenab Times covers international developments, global diplomacy, and foreign policy issues through fact-based reporting, explainers, and analytical pieces. The desk focuses on major geopolitical events, diplomatic engagements, and international trends, with an emphasis on verified information, multiple perspectives, and contextual understanding of global affairs.