60 Minutes Rachel Goldberg-Polin’s extended interview
12 snips
Apr 20, 2026 
Rachel Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli mother and author who advocates for hostage families after losing her son Hersh, speaks about her immediate response and global advocacy. She recounts the Nova Festival terror, proof-of-life videos, learning of Hersh’s death, and sustaining hope through mantras. She explains carrying grief, continuing the fight for other hostages, and how storytelling became her purpose.
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Captivity Was The 'Good Part' Realization
- Rachel realized the 330 days of captivity were the "good part" because Hersh was alive, and learning of his execution created a new, more enduring grief.
- That shift reframed her mourning from urgent rescue to lifelong absence and searching for meaning.
Make Hope A Daily Mandate
- Hope is mandatory became Rachel's daily directive to keep functioning through relentless media and advocacy demands.
- She used the mantra each morning to force herself out of bed and continue lobbying for the hostages.
Wearing The Countdown To Force Urgency
- Rachel taped the number of days since the hostages were taken to her arm and changed it daily during interviews to make the urgency visible.
- The tape provoked recognition from officials and held people accountable to the passage of time.
