Skokie community holds vigil for Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin: 'Sweet human being'

SKOKIE, Ill. (WLS) -- Loved ones and the community mourned Hersh Goldberg-Polin in the north suburbs on Sunday.

The Israeli-American's parents are originally from the Chicago area. His family said Sunday's vigil in Skokie was to honor the 23-year-old's memory.

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Goldberg-Polin, 23, was seized by militants at a music festival in southern Israel nearly one year ago on Oct. 7, 2023.

"He was the nicest, sweet human being - person, who was really a peaceful person," a relative, Kenneth Polin, said. "The family has been in Chicago for many, many years and have established a lot of connections as you can see with all different parts of the Jewish community."

Goldberg-Polin was an American among six hostages that Israeli officials say were murdered by Hamas, shot in the head at close range. Their bodies were discovered in tunnels beneath the city of Rafah in Gaza.

A strong sense of community was seen at Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue on East Prairie Road in Skokie. Hersh's grandmothers, aunts, uncles and cousins honored the lover of sports and music.

"As sad as the mourning is, I wouldn't give up one second of Hersh's 23 years that we were blessed with," Hersh Goldberg-Polin's grandmother, Marcy Goldberg, said.

State and local leaders and the Consul General of Israel to the Midwest were among the crowd of mourners.

"We will forever carry the pain of Hersh's absence and the sorrow of not being able to celebrate the future he should have had," said Yinam Cohen, the Consul General of Israel to the Midwest.

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"Jon and Rachel and their family, and our family, and all their friends will continue to work until the rest of the hostages are free," Hersh Goldberg-Polin's Grandmother, Leah Polin, said.

Hersh's parents, in Israel, sent a video message Sunday, thanking their hometown supporters.

"Hersh, we failed you. We all failed you," said Jon Polin at his son's funeral earlier this month. "Maybe, just maybe, your death is the stone, the fuel to bring home the remaining 101 hostages."

Hersh's mother broke down in tears at her son's funeral overseas as she said goodbye to her son, who spent more than 300 days in captivity.

"Finally, my sweet boy, finally, finally, finally, finally! You're free!" she said. "I will love you, and I will miss you every single day for the rest of my life. But you're right here. I know you're right here. I just have to teach myself to feel you in a different way."

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Hersh's family hopes the legacy of his short life will help bring the remaining hostages home.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.