Latest news with #RachelGoldberg-Polin
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Yeshiva University to Celebrate 94th Annual Commencement on May 22
Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Unifying Voice of Courage and Strength, to be Conferred Honorary Doctorate and Deliver Commencement Address with a Message of Hope and Resilience to YU's Class of 2025 Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to Receive Presidential Medallion for Global Leadership in Recognition of Her Dedication to Strengthening the United States, Supporting Israel and Defending the Jewish People NEW YORK, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Yeshiva University will proudly celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2025 at its 94th Annual Main Commencement Ceremonies on May 22 at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, NY. This momentous event will bring together more than 5,000 students, faculty, alumni and families to honor our graduating undergraduate class defined by academic excellence, driven by purpose and grounded in timeless values. The commencement address will be delivered by Rachel Goldberg-Polin, a universal symbol of courage, hope and fierce determination. The mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli American hostage murdered in Hamas captivity, has become a voice of conviction and spiritual resilience—embodying the aspirations, conscience, compassion and faith at the heart of the Jewish people. Her words will serve as both a personal testament and a guiding inspiration for this generation of YU graduates. Yeshiva University will also present its highest honor for global leadership—the Presidential Medallion—to Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, recognizing her strong leadership for the United States, bold resoluteness in the fight against rising antisemitism and her outspoken support for Israel and the Jewish people in the wake of the October 7 attacks. Past recipients include Senator John Fetterman, Dr. Danny Gold, inventor of the Iron Dome and Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt. "We are deeply honored that Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik will address our graduates—two extraordinary individuals whose leadership has inspired strength, unity and moral clarity at a defining moment in Jewish history," said Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University. "This year's Commencement is more than a celebration of academic achievement—it is a powerful affirmation of the values that define our community and our Class of 2025: courage, compassion and a lifelong commitment to truth, faith and service. It also reflects our unwavering belief that especially in moments of darkness, we have the power, and the obligation, to bring light." As the nation's flagship Jewish university, Yeshiva University empowers its students to live out their personal mission as leaders in the world of tomorrow. The graduates of its undergraduate colleges represent the leadership of the pro-Israel community of the future —a mission reflected throughout the day's events. Goldberg-Polin, who has inspired millions with her tireless advocacy, expressed deep appreciation for the YU community's ongoing support. "Throughout our personal quest to save our beloved Hersh and all the cherished hostages, the valiant Yeshiva University community was by our side holding us up," she said. "After suffering our crushing blow, YU has remained with us as we navigate through our valley of pain, while we all continue fighting for the remaining 59 treasured hostages' freedom. The YU student body's tenacity and steadfastness gives my family motivation, inspiration and hope. I am endlessly grateful, humbled and honored to participate at the commencement ceremony for the class of 2025." Both speakers will bring powerful perspectives to the ceremony—one shaped by personal loss and unshakable faith, the other by national leadership and an enduring commitment to combatting hate at all turns. "I am humbled and honored to receive the Presidential Medallion, Yeshiva University's highest honor for global leadership, and I look forward to joining this year's graduating class to celebrate their remarkable achievements," said House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik. "I have been proud to serve as the leading voice in Congress against the rise of antisemitism on university and college campuses across our nation, holding those at the very top accountable for their failure to protect our Jewish students and communities, but the work has only just begun. President Berman's leading voice and Yeshiva University's powerful example has been a bastion of light in the battle for the souls of American universities and I am grateful to Yeshiva University for this tremendous honor." About Yeshiva University As the flagship Jewish university, Yeshiva University is animated by its five core Torah values: Seek Truth (Torat Emet), Live Your Values (Torat Chaim), Discover Your Potential (Torat Adam), Act With Compassion (Torat Chesed) and Bring Redemption (Torat Tzion). Founded in 1886, Yeshiva University brings together the ancient traditions of Jewish law and life, and the heritage of Western civilization. More than 7,400 undergraduate and graduate students study at YU's four New York City campuses: the Wilf Campus, Israel Henry Beren Campus, Brookdale Center, and Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus. YU's three undergraduate schools – Yeshiva College, Stern College for Women, and Sy Syms School of Business – offer a unique dual program comprised of Jewish studies and liberal arts courses. Its graduate and affiliate schools include Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies, the Katz School of Science and Health and Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. YU is ranked among the nation's leading academic institutions. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Yeshiva University
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Parents of murdered American-Israeli hostage praise Trump, plead for urgency in bringing hostages home
The parents of a murdered American-Israeli hostage pleaded for President Donald Trump to secure the release of the remaining hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023, after Hamas released three frail-looking Israeli hostages over the weekend. Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin, whose son Hersh Goldberg-Polin was murdered by Hamas in August after nearly a year in captivity, said that they were grateful to President Trump and U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff. "President Trump and Mr. Witkoff are the most professional virtuoso dealmakers that could be handling this situation. All of the people that we talk to feel grateful that they are the ones involved," Rachel Goldberg-Polin said on Monday's "America's Newsroom." "That's why our plea on Instagram Saturday night, after we saw the release of these emaciated, Holocaust-looking hostages, we said, we have to expedite this deal. This deal is currently written to stretch over the coming months. It's clear that these hostages don't have time," she urged. Parents Of American Murdered By Hamas Make 'Plea' To Trump After Latest Hostage Release Over the weekend, Hamas released Israeli civilians Eli Sharabi, 52; Ohad Ben Ami, 56; and Or Levy, 34, in exchange for 183 freed Palestinian prisoners as part of the ceasefire deal reached with Israel. Read On The Fox News App It was the fifth swap of hostages for prisoners since the current Israel-Hamas ceasefire began on Jan. 19. The hostages' frail condition sparked outrage and calls for swift action to bring the remaining 76 hostages home as soon as possible. "If these are the hostages coming out, it means the ones that have not yet been released are in even worse condition," Goldberg-Polin continued as she pleaded with Trump and Witkoff to figure out how to bring the hostages home quicker. Click Here For The Latest Media And Culture News Jon Polin added that their son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, and five other hostages murdered by Hamas, were also found malnourished and "skeletal" when Israeli troops discovered their bodies last August. While he said their call to world leaders at the time of their son's death, "didn't work," he was confident that Trump and Witkoff were heading in the right direction, as he repeated his wife's plea for speedy action. Rachel Goldberg-Polin told the remaining survivors to not give up hope because their families were "working day and night" to bring them home. Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages were murdered by Hamas terrorists last August shortly before Israeli troops reached the tunnel where they were being held in southern Gaza. Israeli troops recovered the six bodies from the tunnel, and Israeli forensic experts said they had been shot at close range after surviving nearly a year in captivity. Fox News' Danielle Wallace contributed to this article source: Parents of murdered American-Israeli hostage praise Trump, plead for urgency in bringing hostages home
Fox News
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Parents of murdered American-Israeli hostage praise Trump, plead for urgency in bringing hostages home
The parents of a murdered American-Israeli hostage pleaded for President Donald Trump to secure the release of the remaining hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023, after Hamas released three frail-looking Israeli hostages over the weekend. Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin, whose son Hersh Goldberg-Polin was murdered by Hamas in August after nearly a year in captivity, said that they were grateful to President Trump and U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff. "President Trump and Mr. Witkoff are the most professional virtuoso dealmakers that could be handling this situation. All of the people that we talk to feel grateful that they are the ones involved," Rachel Goldberg-Polin said on Monday's "America's Newsroom." "That's why our plea on Instagram Saturday night, after we saw the release of these emaciated, Holocaust-looking hostages, we said, we have to expedite this deal. This deal is currently written to stretch over the coming months. It's clear that these hostages don't have time," she urged. Over the weekend, Hamas released Israeli civilians Eli Sharabi, 52; Ohad Ben Ami, 56; and Or Levy, 34, in exchange for 183 freed Palestinian prisoners as part of the ceasefire deal reached with Israel. It was the fifth swap of hostages for prisoners since the current Israel-Hamas ceasefire began on Jan. 19. The hostages' frail condition sparked outrage and calls for swift action to bring the remaining 76 hostages home as soon as possible. "If these are the hostages coming out, it means the ones that have not yet been released are in even worse condition," Goldberg-Polin continued as she pleaded with Trump and Witkoff to figure out how to bring the hostages home quicker. Jon Polin added that their son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, and five other hostages murdered by Hamas, were also found malnourished and "skeletal" when Israeli troops discovered their bodies last August. While he said their call to world leaders at the time of their son's death, "didn't work," he was confident that Trump and Witkoff were heading in the right direction, as he repeated his wife's plea for speedy action. Rachel Goldberg-Polin told the remaining survivors to not give up hope because their families were "working day and night" to bring them home. Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages were murdered by Hamas terrorists last August shortly before Israeli troops reached the tunnel where they were being held in southern Gaza. Israeli troops recovered the six bodies from the tunnel, and Israeli forensic experts said they had been shot at close range after surviving nearly a year in captivity.
