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 27 – May 10, 2011.
Applications are available by request to Marcia Tatz Wollner at (858) 268-9200 ext 123 or e-mail marcia@ajesd.org.
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?
Needs based scholarships are available through the Israel Center,
LLC. The deadline for the Israel programs needs-based scholarship from
the Israel Center LLC is November 6, 2010.
How do I get excused from my public school classes to participate?
Contact the Agency for Jewish Education 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 AJE, phone (858) 268-9200 ext 123.
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 seminar offered though the
teen engagement department of the Agency for Jewish Education 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.
