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Poland Heritage Journey- March of the Living PR
Reflections of a Life Changing Journey
This journey has bonded us forever.
We were there. We saw it.
We are witnesses that this insanity happened.
6 million Jews were killed, but they left us their legacy... Judaism survived!
We are living proof.
We stand united! We will always remember!
What participants have to say...
The trip to Poland was not a week long mourning. Despite being in the same place where some of our
people's history's worst tragedies took place, the trip was not centered around death. The trip was about
understanding, experience, and life. I say it was about life because we were out to prove that Judaism
survived and continued to grow. It made me proud to see at least a little mark of Judaism in nearly every
aspect of Polish life and see everything so well preserved. The trip to Poland was well worth the cold, and
anyone who has the opportunity to visit the landmarks of the Holocaust should take it without hesitation.
- Nissim Roffe
Poland to me was not only an unforgettable trip, but a journey that has still not ended. This life-changing
experience taught me so much about my religion, my ancestors, and of course, about the Holocaust. The
opportunity to see and touch what our ancestors went through, along with my peers, is powerful in every
sense of the word. Although it is an emotionally tough and shocking trip, it is one I believe that every Jew
should embark in order to truly learn about the Holocaust and its atrocities. Thankfully, today, us Jews are
still alive and prospering and that is something we should be proud of. March of the Living taught me to
never forget the past in order for it to not be repeated.
- Sofia Aizenman
My trip to Poland was definitely life changing. This experience gave me a new perspective on Jewish life
in Poland before and after the Holocaust. One of the most incredible moments was seeing that there is
still Jewish life - and it is growing! It was truly special to attend Shabbat services in a synagogue in
Warsaw and, although led in Polish, to still be able to follow the prayers. It is like I have a home anywhere
in the world. Our march on the rail lines of Auschwitz-Birkenau made me feel proud to be a Jew. I was
walking freely, thinking of the hundreds of thousands of people who were trapped in the cattle cars and
sent to their deaths. We survived. We are here. We have a home, Israel. Never forget.
- Hannah Greenfader
I grew up hearing talk about The March of the Living, but I had never expected it to be so life-changing. I
went into this journey nervous that I would not be able to withstand the emotional toll of what I was
immersing myself into. I thought I would be too devastated for words after walking through Auschwitz and
sitting in a cattle cart; this turned out to be half-true. I was speechless, but not at the devastation. I walked
out with a strange sense of pride, one that is hard to put down in words. The Nazis did everything in their
power to obliterate the Jewish people, yet we still stand today. Yes, millions of Jews suffered and
perished, but it was not in vain. If anything, Hitler made us stronger. I walked into Auschwitz, and I freely
walked out. The March is not just a trip, it is a journey, and I came out stronger than I had been before.
- Katia Carrady

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When I was asked to write this paragraph about my life changing trip, there was no doubt in my mind that
I had to do this. Putting my ideas down really gives me a reality check that it's actually over, but it
isn't. The reality is, it isn't over, it doesn't end here. We survived and we have grown stronger. I believe
everyone should see this in their life. No matter what religion, race or ethnicity you are, you should see
this with your own eyes. When I got to see everything I was taught about in Hebrew school, all the
lectures, exhibitions and pictures with which I learned about the Holocaust for so many years, I went
through a huge change in perspective. During a week where you are supposed to be eating turkey and
being thankful, I got to really appreciate and feel thankful for who I am. I am a Jew who can witness the
success the Jews have had no matter what kind of adversity they have been put through. I would not
have traded this experience for anything else during Thanksgiving break. Learning the information is not
the same as seeing it with your own eyes. I could not only see it, I could hear it too. I listened to stories
and saw places that brought goosebumps to my skin. I dare you to go see it with your own eyes.
- Elizabeth Roffe