Spotlight on Marian Kruss, March of the Living Chair
Posted on 08/23/2024 @ 06:00 AM
Tell us about your Jewish background and education.
I attended the March of the Living (MOTL) as a teen, and upon returning from the trip, I interviewed my grandparents, who had kept quiet all those years after escaping the horrors of the Shoah in Germany.
From a young age, I was an ardent Zionist, and after high school, I made Aliyah and joined the Steven Spielberg Shoah Foundation, interviewing Holocaust survivors while attending Hebrew University in Jerusalem and immersing myself in Contemporary Jewish History, with the Shoah being at the core.
After moving to Miami, I worked for the Alexander Muss High School (AMHSI) and Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS), where I discovered my passion for Jewish education and engagement. For fifteen years, through its Holocaust survivor assistance program, JCS allowed me to engage one-on-one with this inspirational group of heroes.
What motivated you to take this leadership position as the March of the Living Chair?
The March of the Living has always been a cornerstone for strengthening Jewish and Zionist identity, which is extremely important to me.
The Leo Martin Miami March is our insurance policy that prepares the next generation of leaders to strengthen their Jewish identity, remember the Holocaust, act as witnesses, connect with Israel, and respond to intolerance and antisemitism.
We can’t afford to have our youth feel intimidated in their future college environments, and we must guide them and prepare them for a lifetime of pro-Israel engagement and Jewish pride. While similar trips are offered for a later age, it’s crucial that we educate and inspire our kids during high school.
My husband Paul and I are deeply committed to building a vibrant community with a deep commitment to Jewish day school education, Jewish unity, and strengthening Israel advocacy.
Laszlo Selly and Marian Kruss on The March.
Tell us more about your experience with the March of the Living last May.
The 2024 March of the Living was a Poland-only trip, held against the backdrop of the 80th anniversary of the destruction of Hungarian Jews during the Shoah, the October 7th attack on Israel, and the dramatic rise in antisemitism across the world.
Holocaust Survivors from around the world, including Israeli Holocaust survivors who survived the attacks of October 7th, marched at Auschwitz in a renewed commitment to ‘Never Again.’
Holocaust survivors Allan Hall and Laszlo Selly made an unforgettable impact on our teens and all of us. The trip is difficult enough, and the fact that Allan and Laszlo were willing to endure it once more is truly commendable.
Why is teen education and the March of the Living important to you and our community?
The March is not like any other trip! With newfound depth of understanding and hearts filled with hope, it inspires our teens to embark on a journey that honors the past while committing to our collective future.
As long as our aging Holocaust survivors are still willing to march, we must ensure that we raise the needed funds to take survivors with us, offering proper flights and accommodations for them, which helps create such meaningful journeys for our teens.
What would you like to accomplish during your tenure or see happen here in Miami for the March of the Living program?
My main goals are to secure financial stability, provide this invaluable experience to as many Miami-Dade high school seniors as possible, and to elevate relationships with credible organizations, new committee members, parents, and alumni.
What is something you would like our readers to know about Jewish Education and/or Miami’s Leo Martin March of the Living?
It takes a village. Throughout my involvement with the March, I've been inspired by the dedicated professionals and lay leaders who work synergistically and tirelessly behind the scenes.
I am very thankful to Anita Givner for her strong leadership these past 3 years, to the excellent committee, and exceptional staff.
We should also be very appreciative of the Friends of the March of the Living, which provides much-needed scholarships, as well as contributions from CAJE and Federations. Their passion and commitment to education is truly admirable.
I thought I would never return to Poland. Despite the familiarity of the setting and structure of the days, this time around, I was inspired by our passionate staff and teens, learning about our rich history and reaffirming our resolve to take a stand against antisemitism.
I am now focused on the promise of our collective future—investment, commitment, leadership—and I encourage you to send your teen in 2025. I plan to participate again next year and work with the committee and professional staff to continue strengthening and growing CAJE Miami’s indispensable Leo Martin March of the Living experience.
Applications for the 2025 Miami March of the Living program are now open!
If you're a 2024/2025 Jewish Miami-Dade High School Senior or live in Miami-Dade County and are interested in participating in this life-changing educational experience. The deadline to complete your application and sign up for an interview is October 1st!
Apply at miamimotl.org
