Father Recounts Son's Deep Connection to Hapoel Jerusalem
Translated & summarized from Sport5 by baba
John Polin, father of Hirsh Goldberg-Polin who was kidnapped and murdered by Hamas, spoke about his son's deep connection to the Hapoel Jerusalem sports club. Hirsh, 23, was taken from the Nova festival on October 7, 2023, and held in Gaza for 11 months before being killed. Polin discussed his family's ongoing grief and efforts to commemorate Hirsh through sports initiatives, including a new mural and a basketball team. He also highlighted Hirsh's unique ability to engage with those who held different opinions.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Hirsh Goldberg-Polin, 23, was kidnapped on October 7, 2023, and murdered in Gaza in August 2024.
- His father, John Polin, discussed Hirsh's deep connection to the Hapoel Jerusalem sports club.
- Commemorative projects include a new mural and a basketball team named "Hapoel HaShisha Jerusalem."
- Hirsh was known for his ability to engage in understanding conversations with people of different views.
- The family continues to receive support from Hapoel Jerusalem and fans from Germany.
Three years after Hirsh Goldberg-Polin, 23, was kidnapped from the Nova festival on October 7, 2023, his father, John Polin, spoke about his son's profound connection to the Hapoel Jerusalem sports club. Hirsh was abducted to Gaza, held for nearly 11 months under harsh conditions, and murdered in August 2024 along with five other hostages. Polin described how Hirsh's passion for Hapoel Jerusalem was a significant part of his childhood, adolescence, and sense of Israeli identity, leading him to participate in social initiatives like joint football games between Jewish and Arab children and fostering ties with German football fans.
In an interview, John Polin shared the ongoing struggle his family faces since Hirsh's murder, emphasizing the balance between personal grief and national remembrance. He spoke of the constant multitasking required to cope, thinking of Hirsh every moment while managing daily life. Polin expressed longing for the simple, everyday moments, like talking on the couch after dinner, which are now deeply missed.
Polin also detailed ongoing projects to commemorate Hirsh, including a new mural outside the Arena and near Teddy Stadium depicting Hirsh and Uri Danino, and the establishment of a new basketball team, "Hapoel HaShisha Jerusalem," in memory of six hostages. The team's inaugural game is scheduled for October 20 in Jerusalem. He highlighted the continued support from Hapoel Jerusalem's owners, players, and fans, as well as a visiting group from Bremen, Germany, as a source of strength.
Reflecting on Hirsh's character, Polin noted his son's unusual ability and willingness to engage in deep conversations with people holding different views on politics and sports, aiming to understand their perspectives rather than just disagree. Polin stated he is trying to learn from this trait and encourage similar dialogue. He concluded by expressing hope for a better future for Israel, emphasizing the potential for the country to be the best in the world through mutual understanding and effort.
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