9 months ago
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The bodies of six hostages held successful Gaza were identified past nighttime by the Israeli military, including the assemblage of former Richmonder Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
Before moving to Israel with his family, Polin called Richmond location from 2004 to 2008. He was captured by Hamas connected October 7 of past twelvemonth portion attending the Supernova Music Festival.
Rabbi Dovid Asher from the Keneseth Beth Israel synagogue successful Richmond is friends with the Polin family.
He got affectional arsenic helium described the spot of the Polin household and said the assemblage is truly struggling close now.
“A beauteous lad who was taken mode excessively soon due to the fact that of his faith, contented and his background," Rabbi Asher said.
In the 4 years helium lived successful Richmond, Polin went to preschool astatine the Weinstein Jewish Community Center and his parent Rachel was a teacher there. Just past week she spoke astatine the Democratic National Convention alongside her hubby Jon. The good known household continued to stock their connection to bring each the hostages home.
“Hersh, if you tin perceive us, we emotion you," she said. "Stay strong. Survive.”
Rabbi Asher says the quality of Polin's decease brings an aggravated sadness among the full Jewish community.
“The Richmond assemblage joins hundreds of those cities successful horrific nonaccomplishment of a young life," helium said.
President Joe Biden, vice president Kamala Harris and Virginia politician Glenn Youngkin released statements astir Polin’s death. Youngkin declared flags alert astatine half-staff Sunday arsenic helium said he’s "angered and heartbroken" by the "senseless execution astatine the hands of terrorists."
Youngkin called rabbi Asher Sunday morning.
“Never got a telephone from politician before, extending his condolences to the assemblage and the congregation," Rabbi Asher said.
In April, a hostage video released by Hamas showed Polin's near manus was removed due to the fact that of a grenade blast.
“To a large extent, this Richmonder has go the astir celebrated of each the hostages and it has a horrible ending," Rabbi Asher said.
According to the United Nations, implicit 1,200 Israelis and implicit 40,000 Palestinians person died since October 7.
“It’s truly horrible to spot a violent enactment enactment the mode astir violent organizations bash and fell down civilians," Rabbi Asher said. "And it’s horrible and tragic that truthful galore civilians person died successful Gaza during this war.”
He said helium hopes students successful the country are taught astir Polin.
“Current events is important and I would similar to deliberation immoderate societal studies teacher volition marque definite that their students cognize who helium was and accidental his name," Rabbi Asher said.
The Israeli subject says the six bodies were returned to Israel but determination are inactive 103 hostages being held by Hamas.
There volition beryllium a vigil for Polin connected Monday nighttime astatine Keneseth Beth Israel synagogue for assemblage members.
