Highlights from the 2024 March of the Living

The 2024 March of the Living took place against the backdrop of the 80th anniversary of the destruction of Hungarian Jews during the Shoah, the October 7th attack on Israel, and the dramatic rise in antisemitism across the globe.On the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, a March was held in Budapest followed the next day by the March of the Living from Auschwitz to Birkenau, 36 years since the first March took place in 1988.

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International March of the Living salutes Holocaust survivors around the world on Holocaust Survivor Day 2024

55 Holocaust Survivors gather underneath the Arbeit Macht Frei sign at Auschwitz-Birkenau to begin the 2024 International March of the Living on Yom HaShoahIn honor of 2024 Holocaust Survivor Day, International March of the Living salutes our beloved Holocaust survivors around the world for the courage, resilience and faith they exhibited throughout their lifetimes.After the Shoah, despite their difficult pasts, they rebuilt their lives, planted new seeds, started new families and made countless contributions in communities throughout the world.We especially want to express gratitude to our over 300 March of the living Holocaust survivor educators, who have joined us on the March of the Living since the inception of the program in 1988. These remarkable individuals have shared their stories of loss and love in the very places their tragic histories unfolded, ensuring that the history and lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten.Please see moving clips from this year’s March of the Living ceremony featuring the words of Holocaust survivors shared with students on the 2024 March of the Living ceremony on Yom Hashoah in Auschwitz-Birkenau.  Daniel Louz, Israeli Holocaust Survivor who survived the October 7th attack, speaking at the 2024 March of the Living ceremony Nate Leipciger, Canadian Holocaust Survivor, sharing his message at the 2024 March of the Living ceremony Through their extraordinary efforts, these dedicated and eloquent Holocaust survivor educators have created a new generation of young witnesses committed to bearing the torch of memory and transmitting the memory of the Shoah to the generations to come.Am Yisrael Chai! HONOR A HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR

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International March of the Living Responds to University Student Groups Condemnation of Israel

“Jewish rights are also human rights!”, 96 year old Holocaust Survivor Nate Leipiciger speaking at 2024 March of…

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Remembering Sigmund Rolat, Z”L

International March of the Living mourns the passing of Sigmund Rolat, Holocaust Survivor, internationally known philanthropist and one of the founders of Polin: The Museum of the History of Polish Jews. Sigmund Rolat joined us on the 2015 March of the Living where he delivered his eloquent remarks at the conclusion of the March of the Living in Auschwitz-Birkenau on Holocaust Remembrance Day. His deeply moving speech, delivered to 10,000 young people and survivors, appeared in both Polish and English media around the world, and in more than 50 newspapers. Sigmund Rolat gave the young Marchers four reasons to remember the Shoah: Solidarity with the victims, ensuring the victims’ memories live on, and prevention of future genocides. His final reason was gratitude toward the Righteous Among the Nations who risked their lives to save Jews during the Shoah. Gratitude “to those Poles who – like my Elka – risked their lives to save Jews from the chimneys of Auschwitz. From the ghetto walls of Czestochowa. From the abyss. And our gratitude toward them is the fourth reason to remember.” Read Speech During a speech to March of the Living students at the University of Warsaw attending the 2015 March, Rolat said. “You have no idea how proud I am of you. I speak in the name of all my friends who cannot be here, who lost their lives…and I can tell you, they are also proud of you. After all, it’s we who say ‘Lador Vador’ (From generation to generation). And our generation, and those after us, will always remember.” One of the key initiators of Polin: The Museum of the History of Polish Jews, Sigmund Rolat supported the renaissance of Jewish life in Poland and encouraged the fostering of harmonious relations between Poles and Jews. March of the Living groups include the award winning Warsaw museum on all of their visits to Poland, and were among the first organized delegations to visit the museum when it first opened in 2013. Watch Video Sigmund Rolat will forever be remembered for his generosity, optimism and desire to build bridges between Jews and Poles and all people – despite losing his entire immediate family in the Holocaust. May his life and noble deeds be an example to us all. May his memory always be a blessing. View musical composition “Six”, inspired by the bravery of Sigmund Rolat, composed by Tali Katz grandchild of Holocaust survivors. Tali participated in the 2018 March of the Living together with her mother Eynat Katz, a participant in the very first March of the Living in 1988.

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2024 International March of the Living Photos

The March of the Living, now entering its 36th year, took place in Poland on Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, May 6th, 2024. The March renewed the call of…

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“It Could Happen Again, Even Here”, Holocaust Survivor, Dr. Martha Greenblatt

New York Yankees and International March of the Living team up to fight antisemitism and racism on Holocaust Remembrance Day On May 5, 2024,…

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Bring Him Home by Shai Abramson at MOTL 2024 Erev Yom HaShoah

The song “Bring Him Home” from the musical “Les Misérables,” is a moving prayer expressing a deep yearning for the return of our loved ones.As we gather, our hearts are united with those held captive in Gaza and we pray for their release and safe return home.Watch the moving performance of Lt Col Shai Abramson, IDF Chief Cantor, at the March of the Living Erev Yom HaShoah ceremony in Krakow.

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Shmuel Rosenman, 2024 Erev Yom Hashoah Ceremony

I want to begin this evening, this Erev Yom Hashoah program, by making a very short statement:For many years, it has been a common position to state that one should never compare any event, any other tragedy, to the Holocaust.And that statement is still valid today – the Holocaust remains the most unique and unprecedented tragedy in Jewish and human history.But the events of October 7th, 2023, remind of this grim fact: Those same motivations, those same evil intentions and false accusations that led to the Shoah – they are still with us today, in full force, and in full display.Indeed, the attack on Oct. 7th was carried out by terrorists who clearly stated their genocidal aims against the Jewish people.And this attack – an attack that caused the greatest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust – occurred in the very place that was meant to be a refuge for the Jews from the Holocaust, and from acts of antisemitism.In fact, many Holocaust survivors have told us, that the events of October 7 and the resulting wave of antisemitism that has swept through world – made them feel like they were once again living through the 1930s.And this alone should cause each one of us to tremble!But, especially at this time, we must not – we dare not – yield to the forces of fear and despair.We must all believe and proclaim loudly and clearly, with one voice: The Jewish people and the state of Israel will rise again from this tragedy and build a stronger Israel, a brighter Israel, and a more unified Israel.Let me close with the words of courage and defiance, that so many survivors of the Holocaust recited here:Mir Zaynen Do! We Are Here! Anachnu Kaan!And we always will be!

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2024 March of the Living Hungary followed by Train of the Living to Auschwitz

Marking 80 years since the destruction of Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust, a March of the Living was held in Budapest…

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2024 March of the Living: Together We Remember

2024 International March of the Living The 2024 March of the Living took place against the backdrop of the 80th anniversary of the destruction of Hungarian Jews during the Shoah, the October 7th attack on Israel, and the dramatic rise in antisemitism across the globe.On the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, a March was held in Budapest followed the next day by the March of the Living from Auschwitz to Birkenau, 36 years since the first March took place in 1988.Israeli Singer Noa Kirel performed “Eli, Eli” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. Some 60 members of her family perished in the Shoah. WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS WATCH THE LIVESTREAM AGAIN VIEW PHOTOS Dr. Shmuel Rosenman, Chairman, and Phyllis Greenberg Heideman, President of the International March of the Living, jointly stated, “This year’s March of the Living holds profound significance, as the horrors of the past intertwine with the present ongoing nightmare faced by the State of Israel. The recent incomprehensible massacre on October 7 serves as a constant reminder of the persistent threat posed by antisemitic hatred. This year, more than ever, we understand why preserving the memory of the Holocaust is still essential. Fighting against the continuous and overwhelming wave of antisemitism, makes the March of the Living’s mission to remember more important and more relevant than ever. We will strenuously continue to teach about the history of the Holocaust, and we will continue to stand together against antisemitism.” The 36th International March of the Living on Yom HaShoah was led by 55 Holocaust survivors from countries around the world.Among them 21 Holocaust survivors from Hungary and seven Holocaust survivors who were personally impacted by the October 7th attack in Israel: Bellha Haim, grandmother of the murdered Yotam Haim, who was abducted during the attack; Danit Gabay, who was with her children in Kibbutz Re’im during the attack; Daniel Louz from Kibbutz Be’eri;  Smil Bercu Sacagiu whose home was bombed in Ashkelon; Judith Tzamir from Kibbutz Mefalsim; Jacqueline Gliksman from Kibbutz Ein HaShlosha, and Zili Wenkert, grandmother of Omer Wenkert, who was abducted from the Nova music festival. Marching alongside the Holocaust survivors will be several former hostages released from Hamas captivity, along with families of Israeli hostages, bereaved families, wounded survivors, Ashkelon mayor Tomer Glam, and the head of the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council Tamir Idan. The delegation of Holocaust Survivors and surviving victims from the deadly attack of October 7th was organized by the Menomadin Foundation under the leadership of Haim Taib, a third-generation Holocaust survivor from Tunisia. Following the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel War, the Foundation has collaborated with many local authorities in Israel to bolster communal resilience. Haim Taib, Founder and President of the Menomadin Foundation and leader of the October 7th delegation to the March said: “The link between the Holocaust, experienced by Jews 80 years ago and the horrors of the onslaught of October 7 underscores our collective obligation as a nation and society to remain resilient, to defend ourselves and to continue shaping the remarkable narrative of our people. I take pride in marching alongside the courageous individuals of the October 7th delegation. Together, we will rise from the ashes of this horrific attack and foster prosperity and abundance in the years ahead.“ Thousands of Jewish and non-Jewish students and adults from around the globe, University Presidents from campuses in the United States and Canada, a global delegation of top TikTok creators, Pastor Larry Huch representing the New Beginnings Church and Pastor Larry Huch Ministries, and a Transnational Law Enforcement delegation were among those lending voice and commitment to the importance of remembrance and resilience.Furthermore, in light of these events, the March of the Living, KKL-JNF in Israel, the Jewish Agency and the Hungarian Jewish Heritage Foundation MAZSOK jointly held an international conference in Budapest focusing on the Holocaust of Hungarian Jewry. This conference featured participation from young Jewish leaders across Europe, initiated by the Jewish Agency and with involvement from the leadership of the JNF, led by Chair Yifat Ovadia, among others. Participants of the conference also took part in the March of the Living events in both Budapest and Poland.Ifat Ovadia-Luski, Chair of KKL-JNF, said: “At a time when war is raging in Israel, it is of the utmost importance to remember what the Jewish people experienced 80 years ago. KKL-JNF will continue its many years of activities to preserve the memory of the Holocaust and raise the flag of the revival of the Jewish people in their own country for the sake of those who perished and for the sake of future generations.”Doron Almog, Brigadier General (Ret.), Chairman of the Jewish Agency: “The Jewish Agency endeavors to empower young leaders to actively engage in Holocaust remembrance and tell the story of Hungarian Jewry. In the face of escalating anti-Semitism, we emphatically declare ‘Never Again!’ Our resolve is fortified by the legacy of Hannah Szenes, a fighter and paratrooper executed by the Nazis in her hometown of Budapest. She famously declared, ‘A voice calls, and I go.’ As that same call resonates with us, we are united in our determination to heed it, drawing strength from her courage. We recognize the weight of our generation’s duty to safeguard the continuity of the Jewish people.” This year, a diverse team of 25 leading TikTok content creators from Israel, the USA, Canada, Italy, Hungary, Poland, the UK, and Germany joined the March. The TikTok team traveled to Budapest and Poland, attended the main ceremony in Auschwitz, and commemorated the Holocaust through the usage of their cellphones, allowing millions of TikTok users from around the world to watch the program. WATCH THE LIVESTREAM AGAIN Erev Yom HaShoah Yom HaShoah VIEW PHOTO GALLERY (function(d, s, id){var js; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "https://embedsocial.com/embedscript/ei.js"; d.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(js);}(document, "script", "EmbedSocialScript")); Photos by Yossi Zeliger

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