Each year, the International March of the Living brings thousands of participants from around the world to Poland and Israel for a powerful journey through Holocaust history and a call to action against hatred and indifference. Since 1988, more than 300,000 individuals have marched from Auschwitz to Birkenau on Yom Hashoah. With the unique and urgent presence of Holocaust survivors, the program offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn firsthand from those who lived through it.
Our local March of the Living chapter partnered with the Southern Region to take part in the International March of the Living, joining thousands from around the world on a deeply impactful journey bearing witness to the atrocities of the past and honoring its victims. The March is a transformative experience that strengthens Jewish identity, builds leadership, and inspires lifelong commitment to justice, remembrance, and community. These students walked the very path meant to destroy the Jewish nation, but instead, 7,000 Jewish teens stood together in strength, unity, and unbreakable spirit. We had the opportunity to speak with local participants, Alex Tasner and Sam Pressman, who shared their personal experiences and perspectives.
Why did you choose to participate in The March of the Living?
Alex Tasner: A friend asked me to go, and I thought it would be interesting to see Poland. I had no idea what a life-changing trip it would be.
Sam Pressman: I chose to participate in The March of the Living because I have seen pictures and videos (of the Holocaust) in class but never felt really connected. By going in person, I hoped to connect more deeply and discover how I can carry my Jewish identity with me as I graduate high school.
What was the most impactful moment of the trip?
Alex Tasner: Majdanek was the most intense experience. Almost the entire camp is intact, and walking through it is surreal. Our first stop was the gas chambers. My mind went blank after seeing Hershel, one of the survivors on the trip, break down in the gas chambers. You couldn’t stop thinking about how many people filled this room with inescapable cries, knowing this was the end. Then, Rosette, another survivor, broke down while reciting the poem she wrote after her first experience at Majdanek. She asked everyone: “Please don’t forget us.” After we all hugged, I hugged her individually and told her, “We promise.” We promised to never forget. She then grabbed me and said, “Promise!” Finally, we reached the crematorium. As we entered, we encountered a re-reading of a testimony from a survivor who had since passed away. He was just a boy in Majdanek, forced to carry bodies from the gas chamber to the crematorium. One week, he dragged his mother’s body. The next, his father’s. Hearing his story was a devastating reminder of the human cost of hatred.
Sam Pressman: The most impactful moment on the trip was when we were in the Majdanek gas chambers and Hershel, a survivor on our trip, started crying, and we all broke down in there together. That was the moment that really hit us with what happened to all the Jews in the camps.
How do you plan to carry the lessons of The March into your daily life or future?
Alex Tasner: I plan on spreading what I have learned to as many people as possible. I’m trying to be kinder, more inclusive, and more generous. I want to make a positive impact on other people and educate people on messages from The March of the Living, whether it’s through the recordings of survivor testimonies, being a role model, or something else.
Sam Pressman: The main lesson I took away from this trip is to always be grateful for what you have because someone out there always has it worse. Being able to witness happiness amid sorrow is how I try to live my life. There are many reasons to feel sad or angry and maybe twice as many to be joyful.
Has this experience affected your sense of identity or responsibility as a Jew?
Alex Tasner: It provided a sense of community. In just ten days, I formed bonds stronger than I ever expected. I found people with whom I now share a deep, unspoken connection. Looking back, I realize how ignorant I was when I used to say I hated something or someone. Those sites are hate personified. The depths of hate go far deeper than anyone could truly grasp. As one of the survivors said, “We get to leave.” I will forever be grateful for everything I have.
Sam Pressman: This experience has showed the strength of the Jewish community and how we shouldn’t be defined by the tragedy but how well we can gather our strength and reform our society. I am now a proud Jew who doesn’t feel bad about being Jewish in public.
How do you see the role of young people in combating antisemitism and hatred today?
Alex Tasner: It’s our responsibility to stand up against people who are attempting to provoke, spread, or perpetuate hate. Not only for Jews, but for everyone. There are many ways to stand up against hate, and what matters most is choosing to take action, because doing something productive is always better than staying silent. It’s our responsibility to spread kindness and fight hate. One survivor told us, “Pay it forward and spread love.”
Sam Pressman: I see more young people taking a stand against antisemitism. We aren’t scared anymore; we are a proud people wanting to protect our faith and our heritage. We have the responsibility of making sure the past doesn’t repeat itself.
