Nate Leipciger, Holocaust Survivor and March of the Living Educator, Appointed to the Order of Canada

International March of the Living congratulates Nate Leipciger on his recent appointment as a member of the Order of Canada, recognizing his exceptionalcontributions to Canada and humanity.

In honoring his achievements, the office of the Governor of General of Canada issued the following statement:

“Nate Leipciger has been a force for Holocaust education for decades. A dedicated educator with the March of the Living for more than 30 years, he has mentored thousands of students on the dangers of bigotry and intolerance, and has inspired thousands more with his personal story of resilience, love and forgiveness.” (www.gg.ca/en/order-canada-appointees-june-30-2025)

Nate Leipciger, currently 97 years of age, has travelled on the March of the Living to Poland and Israel, 21 times, more than any other Holocaust survivor from the Diaspora.  Most recently, he participated in the 2025 March of the Living, and then eloquently shared his experiences in June when he returned as part of International Holocaust Survivor Day commemorations.

Expressing gratitude to the students who took part in the 2025 March of the Living, he said:

“We must give thanks because these people are our future! Whatever comes in front of us, whatever the world will throw at our feet, we will overcome because….we have  our youth who are proud to be Jewish, who are proud to stand up and be counted, and who are proud to be an upstander rather than a bystander. And doing something with their feet. Walking with their feet and marching with their feet. To say: We are here and we will not be overcome!”

See full speech here: https://youtu.be/LLgY7bs1l6U

Figure 1 Nate Leipciger speaking at Holocaust Survivor Day March of the Living Program, June 4, 2025, in Toronto

Since 1996, Nate has shared his wisdom with thousands of young Jewish and multi faith students from Canada and around the world on the March of the Living and in many other educational settings.

In one memorable exchange, Nate reminded his students about the dangers of letting hate define them in response to the atrocities of the past:

“You cannot have hate in your heart without being hateful against yourself. And that’s the big problem – when you are hateful you become bitter you resent everything and that becomes part of your nature.”

“There is a difference between hating and holding them responsible. They are two different feelings. I don’t have to like them but I don’t hate them. Because hate will destroy the person doing the hating.”

We wish Nate many more years of vibrancy and good health, so that he may continue to share his story, wisdom, knowledge, and insight with the next generation long into the future.

Listen to moving clip of Nate Leipciger speaking in Auschwitz on the March of the Living here:

https://fb.watch/AyM7K3qsd5/?mibextid=qC1gEa

Read Nate Leipciger’s memoir here:

https://memoirs.azrielifoundation.org/titles/the-weight-of-freedom/