We are all Hersh
by Bob Deutsch
We are all Hersh
Hersh Goldberg – Polin
Zichron Levracha.
Like Hersh, we all were born
Hopefully, into a world of love
The first child of Rachel and Jon,
Their first son,
Hersh was older brother and protector
To two loving sisters, Libi and Orly
He was a Polin and Goldberg grandson
He was a child who became
a student, friend, summer camper, guide, and geographer
A future world explorer.
Unlike Hersh, most of us did not become soldiers
Defending our country and family
Driving a tank into the Gaza hell
becoming a medic to heal wounds.
We are all Hersh
young adults age 23
Planning world tours
Following rave music festivals
Around the globe
Before returning to our homelands
Our own Eretz Yisrael
Going to university
Getting married
Starting families of our own.
We are all Hersh
We live our lives as best we can
Traversing childhood, teenage years, adulthood
opportunities and challenges
Trying to learn how to make sense
Of it all.
As we recite the U-netaneh Tokef prayer
At the end of this shocking and dreadful year
Who knows what fate awaits each of us
Hopefully, not to be seriously wounded
Not to be held as hostages
In suffocating tunnels
Without sunlight, food, or love
And finally, not to be brutally murdered
By enemies who seek our destruction.
Hope is mandatory
Unfortunately, hope’s fruition
Does not always come to pass.
We are all Hersh
And like Hersh
Will leave a legacy
That lives on after
Our spirits move on
To the next world.