Call Me Back: Call me Back LIVE – with Rachel Goldberg-Polin
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Rachel Goldberg-Polin, mother of Hirsch Goldberg-Polin, a hostage taken during the October 7th attacks, shares her harrowing journey through grief, loss, and resilience in a deeply personal and powerful conversation. The episode unfolds as a live event at Temple Emanuel Stryker Center in New York City, marking Israel's Memorial Day (Yom Hazikaron). Rachel reflects on the profound beauty of her family’s life before October 7th—especially the sacred rhythm of Shabbat walks to synagogue—contrasted with the devastating rupture of that peace. She recounts the final moments with her son, the agonizing wait for news, and the revelation that he knew his parents were fighting for him, a truth that brought unexpected solace. Through raw honesty, Rachel dismantles the myth of 'getting better' after loss, advocating instead for the legitimacy of enduring pain. She introduces the concept of 'tragic optimism'—a belief in hope despite unbearable suffering—and positions her book as a raw, unfiltered 'package of pain' that refuses to perform healing. The episode also highlights the transformative power of warrior-to-warrior care through BuddyLine, a program pairing IDF veterans with Navy SEALs to combat PTSD, underscoring the broader need for connection in trauma recovery.
Grief is not a problem to be solved but a badge of love—its depth reflects the depth of your connection.
The belief that 'it will get better' can be emotionally harmful; enduring pain is not a failure but a testament to love.
True resilience isn't about moving on, but about carrying unbearable weight with grace and purpose.
The most sacred acts of faith are often done not because they feel meaningful, but because they honor someone you love.
Supporting programs like BuddyLine—warrior-to-warrior care—can be a lifeline for veterans struggling with PTSD.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Night Ami Was Alone: A Foundation of Warrior Care
The episode opens with the story of Ami, an IDF soldier left alone after a mortar attack in Lebanon. His survival and subsequent healing through BuddyLine, a program pairing Israeli Navy SEALs with combat veterans, sets the stage for the theme of warrior-to-warrior care and resilience.
The Before: Shabbat as the Foundation of Goodness
“In the before, my favorite time of the week was always right after lighting Shabbat candles when John, the kids and I would walk to shul... We were together. In this sacred interval, without phones, just talking to each other, sharing, joking and teasing.”
The Last Night: Hirsch’s Final Moments
“He turned around in the doorway and he just looked at me and said, I love you. I'll see you tomorrow.”
The Collapse: God Is Here
“I said, God is here. God is here. God is here. And I don't know where it came from, but it was this feeling of, I am no longer in this world.”
The Revelation: He Knew We Were Fighting
“He says this to me. He looks at me and he says, you need to know he heard you. And I said, what do you mean? He said, he heard on the radio when you were talking about meeting the secretary of state.”
“The price is that I will be in pain for the rest of my life, and it's worth it.”
“He turned around in the doorway and he just looked at me and said, I love you. I'll see you tomorrow.”
“I said, God is here. God is here. God is here. And I don't know where it came from, but it was this feeling of, I am no longer in this world.”
Host
Guest
Rachel Goldberg-Polin
person
Hirsch Goldberg-Polin
person
John Goldberg-Polin
person
Dan Sinor
person
October 7th attacks
other
Orr
person
Yom Hazikaron
other
BuddyLine
organization
Yuval
person
Oshrat
person
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