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“Marching with thousands of others, our arms around each other, cloaked in our Israeli flags…. Knowing that we were all there to say in the face of evil, ‘Am Yisrael Chai’, the Jewish Nation Lives, was inspiring and moving. March of the Living taught me that you can’t forget what happened, and you can’t let others forget. We must continue telling these stories, so when our survivors sadly pass away, we can bear witness and keep telling their stories.”

- Dylan Brown,
2019 March of the Living participant

“From the past, we learn about the present. From the present, we learn what to do with the future. I believe that the only way to guarantee the survival of the Jewish people is through education. The children must learn, so they can teach future generations.”

- Irving Eisner
Survivor

Trip Details

Join thousands of people from all over the world to experience March of the Living. Walk the three kilometres from Auschwitz to Birkenau on Yom HaShoah in honour of those who survived and in memory of those who perished. Mourn with Israel on Yom HaZikaron and celebrate with Israel on Yom Ha’Atzmaut. Participants will meet with Polish students to engage in a dialogue around Holocaust remembrance and commemoration, as well as hear stories of Righteous Among the Nations, who inspire tremendous courage.

PRE-TRIP

Students are required to attend several educational seminars and a Shabbaton specifically created for the March of the Living Canada. These sessions are designed to equip participants with basic knowledge and background on the Holocaust and Israel prior to their departure. Key themes include Jewish life before the war, the history of antisemitism and Nazism, the Final Solution, Zionism and the State of Israel, Israeli peoplehood, as well as life as a Jewish person living in the Diaspora.

TRIP: PART ONE (POLAND)

The first part of the trip takes place in Poland and includes visits to several Polish cities and villages that were once vibrant centres of Jewish life, including Warsaw, Krakow, and Lublin. Participants will visit the concentration camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Majdanek, and Treblinka, where much of European Jewry was annihilated. The experience in Poland will be marked by special observances, including the March of the Living itself on Yom HaShoah. While this part of the trip is incredibly emotional, there will also be moments of hope. Students will meet with a new generation of Polish Jews who are committed to keeping Judaism alive, as well as some Righteous Among the Nations, whose stories inspire tremendous courage.

TRIP: PART TWO (ISRAEL)

The second part of the trip takes place in Israel, where participants will celebrate the establishment and the survival of the Jewish State through the lens of Holocaust education. Participants will take part in many national and international events organized specifically for the March of the Living. On Yom HaZikaron—Israel’s Remembrance Day—students will attend ceremonies honouring Israel’s soldiers who gave their lives in defense of their country. The next evening, Yom Ha’aztmaut, will include an incredible party to mark the anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel.

If you would still like to register, please email Witnee at wkarp@ujafed.org

TRIP: PART ONE (POLAND)

The first part of the trip takes place in Poland and includes visits to several Polish cities and villages that were once vibrant centres of Jewish life, including Warsaw, Krakow, and Lublin. Participants will visit the concentration camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Majdanek, and Treblinka, where much of European Jewry was annihilated. The experience in Poland will be marked by special observances, including the March of the Living itself on Yom HaShoah. While this part of the trip is incredibly emotional, there will also be moments of hope. Students will meet with a new generation of Polish Jews who are committed to keeping Judaism alive, as well as some Righteous Among the Nations, whose stories inspire tremendous courage.

If you would still like to register, please email Witnee at wkarp@ujafed.org

There is an educator, chaperone(s), and security on each bus for the entire duration of the program.

Eligibility & Cost:

All student applicants for the March of the Living are chosen based upon emotional maturity and a desire for community engagement and education. The application process includes a mandatory video essay and interview if required.

The cost for the 2024 Toronto program is $9,300 USD.

If the cost is prohibitive, please apply for financial assistance.

Scholarships are available for Toronto participants.

This includes:

Airfare
Transportation on the ground in Poland and Israel
Hotel accommodation
Daily meals
All entrance fees

Applications for financial assistance are now closed

FAQ

IS THERE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE?

Applications for financial support are now closed. We understand March of the Living can be a cost prohibitive program and urge you to not let the cost of the program stop you from applying. Financial assistance is available to a wide range of family incomes. If you have any questions about eligibility, please contact Witnee, wkarp@ujafed.org.
March of the Living also has a partnership with Jewish Free Loan whereby families can take an interest free loan and create a custom repayment plan to pay for the program.

WHEN IS THE APPLICATION CLOSING?

Due to the current situation, registration will remain open. We will be in touch with anyone who has started an application when more details are available. You do not need to pay a deposit to secure your spot at this time.

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS AFTER I FINISH MY APPLICATION?

Once you have completed your application and paid the deposit you will have access to the medical form which you will need to download and get signed by your family physician. In the weeks following the application deadline participants will be contacted to schedule an interview. Following interviews, we will notify applicants of their acceptance status. If a student is not accepted to the program their deposit will be refunded.

DO I HAVE TO BE VACCINATED?

Yes, all participants are required to be fully vaccinated for all in person programming.

IS THE TRIP NUT FREE?

The March of the Living is not a nut-free trip, but it is nut-sensitive. We cannot guarantee that all meals served will be nut free, but MOL staff are always vigilant in ensuring the removal of nuts and food containing nuts. Students with severe allergies must always be cognizant of what they are eating.

HOW DO FRIEND REQUESTS WORK?

Students can make up to 5 friend requests and are guaranteed 1 friend request on their bus. Friend requests are not considered in any particular order, so please ensure that you are comfortable writing someone's name down with the chance of him/her being the sole friend on your bus.

HOW DOES ROOMING WORK?

Occupancy ranges from 2-4 participants in a room for the duration of the program. While we cannot guarantee friend requests for rooming, we do take them into account. Each participant will always have their own bed.

WHAT IF I NEVER ATTENDED A JEWISH DAY SCHOOL?

We review all applicants equally and encourage students from a variety of educational backgrounds to participate

ARE SURVIVORS TRAVELLING?

Our hope is that survivors will be able to travel with us.

DO I NEED INSURANCE?

It is mandatory for participants to have emergency hospital and medical insurance and that is valid in Poland and Israel for the duration of the trip.
Participants will be required to submit proof of their plan, their policy number, and details on how to make a claim.
We strongly recommend individuals also purchase cancelation insurance.

WHERE CAN PARTIPANTS PURCHASE INSURANCE?

We are not affiliated with any insurance company and cannot make any recommendations as to where participants should purchase insurance.

WHAT HAPPENS IF IT IS NOT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO ISRAEL?

If it is not safe to travel to Israel, March of the Living will travel to Poland only. If that scenario unfolds, we will provide you all details including cost, dates, etc.

CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE SECURITY ON THE TRIP?

The safety and security of your children are always our top priority. All travel decisions made by UJA Federation of Greater Toronto in cooperation with the Government of Israel, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the Security Desk of the Ministry of Education in Israel, security experts and authorities in Israel, as well as the Government of Poland. UJA Toronto strives to provide participants with the highest standards of security at all points in both Poland and Israel.

WHAT IS THE CANCELATION POLICY?

The cancellation policy is detailed in the terms and conditions which can be found in the application.

UJA Federation of Greater Toronto Israel Engagement

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