For the past two years, NYHS seniors have taken a formal Holocaust course, so it seems fitting to conclude this class with the March of the Living trip—a Holocaust educational journey to Poland and Israel—that will deepen their understanding of the history they’ve studied.
However, instead of experiencing this powerful educational journey, seniors will travel directly to Israel for a capstone volunteer-based trip. While volunteering in Israel is an incredible opportunity, the absence of the March of the Living trip leaves a significant gap in one’s Holocaust education.
Seniors need to go on March of the Living to fully understand the impact of the Holocaust, particularly after spending a year studying it. Without this in-depth experience, much of the emotional impact of marching almost two miles from Auschwitz to Birkenau as a tribute to the victims would be lost. Witnessing the gas chambers and other graphic sites of the Holocaust, along with the opportunity to speak with survivors and hear their stories, deepens the connection.
The March of the Living trip is thoroughly planned to ensure the most informative experience. Students begin by traveling to Poland, where they visit key Holocaust sites, confront the horrors of history, and participate in the symbolic march from Auschwitz to Birkenau. Students then fly to Israel, where they meet with leading scholars, explore museums, and mourn Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s remembrance day, alongside the entirety of Israel.
Rabbi Tzuri Hason, director of programming at NYHS, explained why the seniors are not attending this trip. On the most recent trip two years ago, Hason says that there were halachic issues, and the March of the Living trip and NYHS’s hashkafa [Jewish belief or philosophy] did not align. He also says that it would be better to do a relief mission in Israel because of the war and security issues with flights to Israel from Poland.
Although these concerns are understandable, they should not overshadow the value of a learning experience like the March of the Living, which provides students with a powerful, firsthand connection to Jewish history and the Holocaust. While halachic differences may exist, previous trips were able to adapt to address these concerns successfully, ensuring students could still experience the essential aspects of the journey. Alumnus Michael Rosenfeld, who participated in the trip two years ago, felt accommodated during the week specifically with kashrut and tefila. Rosenfeld explained there were some issues on Shabbat regarding the hotel but they dealt with it. “We did the best that we could,” he said. “I definitely still think the trip was worth it.” While Hason cited safety concerns in Poland as a reason for opting out of the March of the Living trip, the program itself has security protocols to ensure student safety. March of the Living works closely with security services to monitor and manage any risks. Thousands of students from around the world attend each year with no major incidents according to Marcia Wollner, Western Region March of the Living Director. Additionally, the concerns about security issues with flights are minimal, as thousands of Americans make the trip every year.
The impact of this tour is truly unparalleled. NYHS alumnus Al Benoliel participated in this trip in 2019, and his life was changed. “My experience on our March of the Living trip brought to life the history I’d always learned about,” he said. Benoliel recalls visiting Krakow on the first day and touring the old Jewish quarter, finding it impactful. “This community was thriving for centuries, and now it’s just history,” he said. Benoliel explains how grateful he was to participate in the trip, emphasizing how much of a different experience it is learning about the Holocaust versus experiencing what’s left of the Jewish world in Poland. This underscores the need to be at these historical sites physically. “It’s one thing to read about the Jewish communities that were destroyed and the camps where so many Jewish lives were taken, it’s another to be there,” Benoliel said.
Another key part of the March of the Living trip is the belief that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. This is specifically proven when students are taken to Israel at the end of the trip. Having Israel as the final destination serves as a powerful symbol of hope and resilience. It reminds us that although we went through this tragic event, the Jewish people have found a way to rebuild their communities and create a beautiful place where all Jews are welcomed. Additionally, this transition from remembrance and mourning to celebration highlights that while we honor our past, we also embrace a hopeful future and that the Jewish people will never be erased from history.
Ultimately, March of the Living is more than a history lesson; it is a journey that bridges generations and connects students directly to the painful legacy of the Holocaust. This trip is an experience that textbooks and lectures cannot replicate. While the decision to pass on this tour may have its reasons, the lack of March of the Living leaves a hole in the seniors’ Holocaust education. You can learn about the Holocaust all you want, but you will not fully grasp this bitter part of our history until you confront it personally.
