Tag: March of the Living

This past month, Carly Orshan, CAJE’s Director of Teen Engagement and Education, was privileged to join a group of exceptional national educators on a trip to Israel organized by The Jewish Education Project (TJEP) and The iCenter, in collaboration with The Jewish Agency. This trip, known as Mishlachot Areyvut, stood to bear witness to the events of October 7th and its aftermath.

We invite you to watch a video from two outstanding students who recently returned from the transformational journey to Poland on CAJE’s Leo Martin March of the Living. Joining the over 2,500 Miami alumni of the program, these students embarked on a profound experience that deeply shaped their perspectives.

This reflection from a Miami March of the Living (MOTL) participant encapsulates the profound impact of the program on the 12th graders from Miami-Dade who recently returned from their transformative journey through Poland… this annual pilgrimage has left an indelible mark on young minds, enhancing their connection to their Jewish roots and commitment to global Jewish advocacy and Israel.

On May 1, 2024, a group of motivated teens from Miami-Dade, along with exceptional volunteers and two remarkable Holocaust survivors, Allan Hall and Laszlo Selly, are preparing to participate in the global March of the Living. This important event honors the memory of those lost in the Holocaust and celebrates the resilience and vibrancy of Jewish life. It’s a powerful expression of unity, bringing together participants from around the world to share in this moment of collective remembrance.

Miami’s Leo Martin March of the Living is at the heart of CAJE’s enduring commitment to Jewish education and has served as a beacon of learning for Miami Jewish teens since 1988. Throughout the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, the March has remained dedicated to educating high school students.

The mission of the Friends of the March of the Living is to ensure the perpetuation of the March of the Living Program… a profound and transformative program that allows participants to bear witness to the atrocities of the Holocaust and the beauty of Israel, while celebrating Jewish identity and resilience.

"My journey with CAJE and Miami’s Leo Martin March of the Living began after joining the MOTL committee under the leadership of Morrie Siegel. As I delved deeper into the program and its mission, my oldest child was about to participate in the March and I eagerly joined as a staff member to support their experience. "

This past Sunday, 64 students in 12th grade from throughout Miami-Dade returned from a transformational journey to Poland and Israel on the March of the Living. Miami’s Leo Martin March of the Living program shaped many of the participant's worldviews, perceptions and connection to their Judaism and Israel.

The Mission of the Miami March of the Living is to educate the next generation of leaders to strengthen their Jewish identity, remember the Holocaust, act as witnesses, and respond to intolerance and antisemitism, ensuring a strong Jewish future in America, Israel, and around the world.

One of the main tenants of the Miami March of the Living is to educate participants -- the next generation of leaders-- to remember the Holocaust, act as witnesses, and respond to intolerance and antisemitism through education.

In 1988, a few brave students, led by former CAJE Executive Director Gene Greenzweig, CAJE staff, and many volunteers, set out for Poland (behind the Iron Curtain at the time!) and then Israel. With its success, a life-changing experience was born.

As we were looking at the reflection of the water and the giant, forty foot-high outstretched sculpture of a tattooed arm and hand reaching skyward at Federation’s Holocaust Memorial on Miami Beach, the New World School of the Arts violinists began to play the Schindler’s List Theme, originally performed by Itzhak Perlman.

Each year, Miami’s March of the Living works tirelessly to provide valuable educational content for each participant. The March is not only a two-week immersive travel experience; it is a six-month program that takes time, dedication, qualified professionals, and resources to achieve.

High school seniors from all across Miami gathered virtually for their first educational session, during which Marchers learned, listened, and connected with each other in preparation for traveling to Poland this Spring.

Many people don’t even realize that CAJE is often consulted when a museum or other arts organization has an exhibit or show that has Jewish content. In March of this year, CAJE was honored to be invited to participate in the planning around the first exhaustive retrospective of Polish-born artist Maryan, which is now on exhibit at MOCA, North Miami, through March 20, 2022.

Last week, the International March of the Living — CAJE’s partner that makes all flight, hotel, and ground arrangements for the travel component of the MOTL program— announced that it is committed to holding a March physically in Poland and Israel. They have not provided us with pricing yet, but that is only one of the many items that needs to be determined before our teens can travel.

In these strange times, CAJE is challenged to accomplish its goals even under difficult circumstances. One of those challenges is to help elderly Holocaust Survivors, who often are not well-versed in today’s technology, share their testimony with students via Zoom! As the Miami March of the Living (MOTL) embraces the educational changes we are faced with due to the pandemic, so do our beloved Survivors, who are still trying to make sure that future generations continue to be their voice.

These powerful words were one of the important ‘take-aways’ from the first session of Miami’s Leo Martin March of the Living 2021 this past Sunday. While we might not be able to travel to Poland and Israel this year, nevertheless, high school seniors from across Miami gathered virtually to learn about life before the War as well as explore their Jewish Identities, which they discovered were just as complex, interesting and diverse as the Jews growing up decades ago in far off lands. They also learned from local Holocaust Survivor, Anita Karl.