Jewish Federation names Student Upstander Award

in honor of Hersh Goldberg-Polin

We have all seen the hate directed at Israel and targeting the Jewish community since October 7th.

We are also acutely aware that there are 100 hostages still missing. This is a gaping hole in Israeli society and among many who are connected to the Jewish people.

Our Federation supported Bring Hersh Home, an effort to save Hersh Goldberg-Polin, as well as the Hostages and Families Forum in Israel. Sadly, Hersh was killed at the end of the summer (2024) along with 5 other hostages.

As President Herzog of Israel said at his funeral: “There is no door in the world that your beloved family hasn’t opened for you…no prayer, no cry for help. They walked to the end of the world to try to release him.”

“Now our broken heart is in smithereens,” he said.

Jon, Hersh’s father, spoke about how Hersh “was my rav, my teacher, my companion,” challenging him to think beyond himself in every way. He moved his family to activism for the right of African migrants and other issues. He was always confident and self-assured, curious, inquisitive. Jon said that Hersh always sought ways to make the world around you better. He talked about how Hersh always tried to understand every point of view on every issue, from eating animals, to Israeli settlement policies and more.

In his message at the funeral, Jon spoke about Hersh saying: “May his memory be a revolution.” He said that Hersh kept asking: “Will the decisions I made today lead to a better future for all of us?’ And you would tell any decision maker who cannot answer that question with an emphatic yes to step aside.”

At a vigil in New York for Hersh, Arik Einstein sang the song: “Ani Ve’ata Neshane Et Ha’olam,” which means “You and I Will Change the World.” That was a perfect song for Hersh.

Hersh’s mom, Rachel, said at the funeral: “You charmed everyone you ever talked to, old or young. You promoted justice and peace in a way a only a young pure, wide-eyed idealist, can. You never raised your voice to me in your life. You treated me respectfully always, even when you chose a different path,” she recalled.

Hersh’s parents embody the qualities of leadership that we so sorely need in our world today. They are role models for all of us.

As is Hersh, who embodies the kind of spirit and values we hope to see in upstanders and Heroes Against Hate.

That is why we are naming our Student/Young Leadership Upstander award in honor of Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Additionally, we are making an additional donation to the Bring Hersh Home fund, which is still doing important work. May his memory be for a revolution.