March of the Living

2013 March of the Living Participants

 

Click here to see more photos from this year's trip.

Ode to Poland, a group-produced poem

We are the one, we are the children, and we are the ones who make a brighter day.
To live with honor and to die with honor.
Israel ensures that the 6 Million will never be forgotten. 
Every life deserves to be remembered, we are not just a number, no one is a number.  
Understanding leads to respecting.
"Live with honor, die with honor".
Live your life with no regrets.
The generation we live in will be one of the last generations to meet a Holocaust survivor.
"Lower your head to remember those who died but raise your head for the State of Israel".
How are humans capable of such non-human acts?
"Never again; I was very happy to be one of those people that were able to march in remembrance of those who couldn't.” It's an amazing thing that from being a death march, it became the march of the living.
"Every Jew has a calling."
I marched for the nameless, the forgotten, the five million non-Jews.
Olam Hesed Yibaneh - build a world of compassion. 
We are still here.
Instead of holding swords they could have been holding babies.
What a tragedy our people endured!
Six Million Souls that the world never got to know. Never again shall we march like sheep to the slaughter. 
Our life is forever changed because of the March of the Living!
Never Forget.
Being tired doesn't matter to a degree, especially being on a once in a lifetime trip like Poland and Israel with a group of people who are so great and alive.
My sister Chaya has green eyes...
When I was thirteen... He was thirteen...
"Where books are burned, men will be burned too."
Marching silently with new friends to remember the Six Million. 
I still miss my Dad everyday. 
Dibarti-shamati. 
Move on but never forget. 
I don't want to die.
"Earth, do not cover up my tears, let there be no burial for my outcry."
Never Forget!
Always in my heart. 
Never again, we shall always remember.
I am allowed to weep. 
Carry their souls in the bond of life (Bitror Hachayim)
The transition from Poland to Israel illustrates how the Jews went from a period of sorrow to a period of prosperity.  
The Jews have the potential to be and may already be the strongest and most unified group of people the world has ever seen. 
Never again, never forget. 
Am Yisrael Chai. 
Remember. 

2012 March of the Living Participants

"March of the Living was the most impacting and inspirational trip of my life. On the way to Poland I did not know what to expect. I’d heard about Poland before, that it was gloomy and depressing, and that's exactly what it was. As we got off the plane it was raining and freezing. We had a whole day of touring in the pouring rain. I remember huddling up in a circle with a few of my friends. As the week went on we visited the death camps the Nazi's used against the Jews and other groups. I thought of the word disgusting when we toured Majdanek and Auschwitz. The death buildings were still standing. It was just deserted. Seeing all of this I thought of how this even happened; How could a someone kill so many innocent people? There was simply no point to it. A very memorable event was the actual March from Auschwitz to Birkenau. The whole March of the Living, 11,000 teenagers Marched in solemnness. Our delegation was chosen to be at the very front of the group holding flags and banners. We marched to show that we are alive. The Jewish people are alive and we will continue to live.

The transition from Poland to Israel was extremely noticeable. We were all so excited to get out of Poland and when we arrived to Israel. Everyone was clapping. Spending Yom HaShoah in Poland and flying to Israel for Yom Ha'atzmautwas amazing. Israel being the Jewish people's home gave everyone in my group a feeling of security and happiness. Touring Israel was very different from Poland. We saw how we are connected to the land and how we are supposed to be in Israel. If only we were to have Israel before World War II... Yom Ha'atzmautin Israel was inspirational. Seeing all the Israeli citizens outside in the streets singing and dancing, I understood that this is what we, the Jewish people needed... a place to be." 

- Benji D, 2012 March of the Living Participant

What is the March of the Living?

The March of the Living is an international, educational program that brings Jewish teens from all over the world to Poland on Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, to march from Auschwitz to Birkenau, the largest concentration camp complex built during World War II, and then to Israel to observe Yom HaZikaron, Israel Memorial Day, and Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Israel Independence Day. The goal of the March of the Living is for these young people to learn the lessons of the Holocaust and to lead the Jewish people into the future vowing Never Again.

 

What are the Dates, Deadlines and Application Process?

The Dates for the March of the Living are April 3 – April 18, 2013.

Applications are available by request to Marcia Tatz Wollner at (858) 362-1174 or e-mail marciatw@lfjcc.com. There are five components of the application process: general application, medical form, essay detailing why you want to go on the March of the Living, letters of recommendation written by a teacher, principal, Rabbi, high school counselor or youth advisor, and a personal interview. 

Applications and a $1000 deposit are due by December 3. actual cost of the program is still to be determined. The cost per teen is $3575 (this includes $2000 community gift to off-set the $5575 total package)

For more information about the 2013 trip, click here

Will I still be eligible for Birthright Israel if I participate in March of the Living?

Yes, you can still participate in the Birthright Israel Program. Since March of the Living spends only 7 days in Israel, attendees can participate in both programs.

What kind of financial aid and grants are available?

An across the board subsidy will be available to all San Diego participants through the March of the Living Philanthropic Fund. Additionally, needs based scholarships are available through the Israel Center, LLC and the March of the Living Philanthropic Fund.

For information about the Lili Bialar z"l Memorial March of the Living Scholarship, click here

How do I get excused from my public school classes to participate?

Contact the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center for a letter that can be given to your school counselor which details the March of the Living experience. If the school has further questions, they can contact Marcia Tatz Wollner at the JCC, phone (858) 362-1174.

For what grades is the March of the Living appropriate?

March of the Living is open to students currently in grades 11 and 12. Be advised that this program requires emotional maturity due to the subject matter.

What kind of security measures will be in place for the safety of the participants?

Security is of the highest level in both Poland and Israel. Security in Poland is coordinated jointly by the Polish and Israeli governments. Security in Israel is coordinated by the Israeli government which supports the March of the Living.

What religious practices or expectations are there; and are there dietary restrictions? What kind of dietary accommodations are there?

The program is set up to accommodate the religious needs of all the students. All food in both Poland and Israel is certified kosher. Special dietary needs may be difficult to accommodate, especially in Poland.

What are the requirements for acceptance to this program?

Completed application (to be provided upon request), medical forms, an essay, a personal interview, and letters of recommendation are required. Participation in the March of the Living educational seminar is required.

What kind of staffing is provided?

The staff accompanying the students is comprised of a doctor, a mental health professional, educators, Rabbi, and a Holocaust survivor.

Isn't this a really depressing trip?

We have found that visiting sites in Poland, while filled with emotion, is also quite uplifting. There are thousands of Jewish teens from all over the world experiencing it together. Additionally, there is a mental health professional with the group at all times. The Israel portion of the trip is powerful and inspiring, and students come away from the March of the Living knowing they have experienced a life-changing event.

To learn more, visit http://motl.org/

March of the Living - 2012 Recap Video