𝗧𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗝𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵!

Posted on 05/05/2023 @ 06:00 AM

Tags: March of the Living, Teen Education & Engagement

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.
 
Students shared how the journey has changed them and what they hope for our Jewish future:
 
“We as Jewish people bear the responsibility of carrying on this information to our future generations in order to assure it doesn't happen again.”
 
I have become stronger in my identity of being a Jew and I think that the Holocaust should be learned about and witnessed by everyone the way that I have.”
 
Students also feel a responsibility to make a difference in this world, reflecting on the importance of how to stand up and speak out:
 
I learned how important it is to let your voice be heard! Fight for what’s right and don’t let yourself be silenced by shyness or hate or anything, because lives depend on you taking action. Don’t stop, you can always keep going.”

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The main transformation we see is that after the March, teens “own” their own Judaism and connection to Israel.
 
That means that they finally grasp that they are now decision-making adults, not just the children of their parents or the students of their teachers.
 
Participants recognize that they have a role to play within the Jewish people, which is why the mission of the March is to: 
  • Educate the next generation of leaders to strengthen their Jewish identity
  • Remember the Holocaust
  • Stand up for Israel
  • Act as witnesses
  • Respond to intolerance and antisemitism
  • Ensure a strong Jewish future in America, Israel, and around the world.

If you would like to assist us in helping to provide scholarships or subvent the cost of this very impactful program, or you know someone who would like to help, please contact Debbie Brodie Weiss: DebbieBWeiss@caje-miami.org or 305-979-2276.