PROGRAMS
The March of the Living Australia program is both extraordinary and unforgettable.
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This annual ‘pilgrimage’, where participants have the opportunity to ‘go where history books can’t’, comprises a jam-packed 7 to 12 day immersive, emotive and educational journey in Poland and Israel.
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Dates for 2025: 22nd April - 2nd May
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Our participants are accompanied by the March of the Living Australia team of highly-qualified educators and remarkable Survivors to learn about 1,000 Years of Jewish Life in Poland; the devastation and horrors of the Holocaust; incredible stories of selfless bravery by Righteous Among the Nations; the re-building of a thriving Jewish community in Poland; the attitudes of Polish citizens today, and so much more.
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The journey in Poland includes the International March of the Living commemorative event on Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day), where our Australian delegations join up to 15 thousand people from all around the world to share in a once-in-a-lifetime experience: marching the three kilometres from Auschwitz I to Birkenau, culminating in one of the most moving and meaningful ceremonies imaginable alongside the remains of the gas chambers and crematoria, paying tribute to all those who were murdered during the Holocaust and the Survivors, and pledging to make the world a better place.
Those choosing to continue the journey to Israel will have the opportunity of experiencing the country in a way and at a time of year that escapes most tourists: they will connect with the biblical and historical aspects of the Holy Land; explore the context of the struggles that Israel faces from a geo-political and existential perspective after October 7th; and explore and discuss some of Israel’s ongoing challenges and issues. Our participants experience all this whilst having the privilege of ‘celebrating / marking’ two of the most fundamental modern-day holidays in the Jewish calendar: Yom HaZikaron (Remembrance Day) - a day dedicated to memorialising those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the fight for the State of Israel, followed immediately by Yom Ha’Atzmaut – Israel’s Day of Independence. This juxtaposition of being in Poland over Holocaust Memorial Day and then in Israel over Remembrance / Independence Days, accompanied by a supportive and like-minded group and led by exemplary educators, is what makes March of the Living so special. Now is the time to experience this for yourself and ‘go where history books can’t’.
We strongly recommend completing both the Poland and Israel components of the program in order to experience and benefit from its full impact. However, we fully acknowledge and understand that this may not always be possible or desirable depending on the particular circumstances of the participant, and therefore offer a Poland-only option alongside the full program (Poland and Israel).
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While there is a strong focus on the ‘Jewish story’ pre / during / post the Holocaust, we fully acknowledge that many non-Jews faced a similar fate as Jews at the hands of the Nazis, and we explore and learn about the non-Jewish victims of the Holocaust in the most appropriate manner. Furthermore, great attention is paid to the role of the Righteous Among the Nations and, where possible, we try to engage with as broad a spectrum as possible of modern-day Poland and its people.
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Itinerary
Itineraries vary from year to year based on the specific dates of Holocaust Memorial Day, Yom Ha’Atzmaut,
the Sabbath etc. As a general rule, the program usually starts about 2 days after the end Passover and at least one day before Holocaust Memorial Day.
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The below is a general sample itinerary.
Poland - Day 1
(Sunday)
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Kazimierz Jewish District Walking Tour - Remu Synagogue / Galicia Museum / JCC
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Krakow Ghetto
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Schindler’s Factory
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Meet Righteous Among the Nation
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Overnight Krakow
Poland - Day 2
(Monday)
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Oswiecim (the town of Auschwitz) – Synagogue and Museum
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Auschwitz
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Birkenau
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Erev Yom HaShoah Ceremony
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Overnight Krakow
Poland - Day 3
(Tuesday)
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Mass Grave
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The International
March of the Living Commemoration -
Overnight Rzeszow
Poland - Day 4
(Wednesday)
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Lublin – Yeshiva / Museum
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Majdanek
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Overnight Warsaw
Poland - Day 5
(Thursday)
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Lodz Ghetto \
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Jan Karski Centre
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Genscia Cemetery –Warsaw
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Warsaw Zoo
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Overnight Warsaw
Poland - Day 6
(Friday)
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Polin Jewish Museum – 1,000 Years of Jewish Life in Poland
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J.H.I. Ringelblum Archive
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Erev Shabbat Services – Nozyk Shul
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Overnight Warsaw
Poland - Day 7
(Saturday)
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Walking tour Umshlagplatz
and Mila18 -
Warsaw Ghetto Wall
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Pawiak Prison
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Sikkum / Summary – Poland
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Overnight Warsaw
Israel - Day 1
(Tuesday)
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Drive to Sderot and visit Be'eri, Nova.
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Hostage Square
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Erev Yom HaZikaron Ceremony
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Overnight Tel Aviv
Israel - Day 2
(Wednesday)
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​Yad Vashem and Har Herzl
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Yom Hazikaron siren
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Yom Ha’Atzmaut Celebrations
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Overnight Tel Aviv
Israel - Day 3
(Thursday)
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Yitzchak Rabin Center / Israel Museum
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March to Kotel
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MOTL Global Event​
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Overnight Tel Aviv
Israel - Day 4
(Friday)
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Jaffa, Neve Tsedek, Carmel Market.
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Farewell Ceremony
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Program ends at 1:30pm
cost
Poland Only - $6,100 USD
Poland and Israel - $8,900 USD
Poland and fly to Israel - $6,575 USD
Optional extra for single occupancy
Download brochure for more information.
scholarships
March of the Living Australia is focused on empowering the next generation of leaders and educators. Providing them with the information, passion and experiences to be the most effective leaders and educators they can be. We have a selective process which includes a written application and interview for each applicant. Successful applicants receive a 70% subsidy, and only pay $5,500 and this price includes flights.
