RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The bodies of six hostages held in Gaza were identified last night by the Israeli military, including the body of former Richmonder Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
Before moving to Israel with his family, Polin called Richmond home from 2004 to 2008. He was captured by Hamas on October 7 of last year while attending the Supernova Music Festival.
Rabbi Dovid Asher from the Keneseth Beth Israel synagogue in Richmond is friends with the Polin family.
He got emotional as he described the strength of the Polin family and said the community is really struggling right now.
“A beautiful boy who was taken way too soon because of his faith, tradition and his background,” Rabbi Asher said.
In the four years he lived in Richmond, Polin went to preschool at the Weinstein Jewish Community Center and his mother Rachel was a teacher there. Just last week she spoke at the Democratic National Convention alongside her husband Jon. The well known family continued to share their message to bring all the hostages home.
“Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you,” she said. “Stay strong. Survive.”
Rabbi Asher says the news of Polin’s death brings an intense sadness among the entire Jewish community.
“The Richmond community joins hundreds of those cities in horrific loss of a young life,” he said.
President Joe Biden, vice president Kamala Harris and Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin released statements about Polin’s death. Youngkin declared flags fly at half-staff Sunday as he said he’s “angered and heartbroken” by the “senseless murder at the hands of terrorists.”
Youngkin called rabbi Asher Sunday morning.
“Never got a call from governor before, extending his condolences to the community and the congregation,” Rabbi Asher said.
In April, a hostage video released by Hamas showed Polin’s left hand was removed because of a grenade blast.
“To a great extent, this Richmonder has become the most famous of all the hostages and it has a horrible ending,” Rabbi Asher said.
According to the United Nations, over 1,200 Israelis and over 40,000 Palestinians have died since October 7.
“It’s really horrible to see a terrorist organization act the way most terrorist organizations do and hide behind civilians,” Rabbi Asher said. “And it’s horrible and tragic that so many civilians have died in Gaza during this war.”
He said he hopes students in the area are taught about Polin.
“Current events is important and I would like to think some social studies teacher will make sure that their students know who he was and say his name,” Rabbi Asher said.
The Israeli military says the six bodies were returned to Israel but there are still 103 hostages being held by Hamas.
There will be a vigil for Polin on Monday night at Keneseth Beth Israel synagogue for community members.
