Tag: March of the Living

There is nothing more powerful than looking into the eyes of a Survivor and hearing, “I was there.” Soon, that moment will no longer be possible. Our teens are the last generation who can hear history from the people who lived it. That opportunity is precious, and it is disappearing. Earlier this year, Future of Jewish reflected on the urgency of Holocaust education. With fewer than 200,000 Survivors remaining worldwide and many unable to travel, the article reminds us that we are now responsible for ensuring the next generation understands not only what was lost, but what continues to endure.

When people ask how I ended up at CAJE, I usually say, “It was the right fit at the right time.” But the truth is, this journey started long before I had a title or a team. I grew up in Miami (South Dade) in a home grounded in Reform Jewish life, where Friday night Shabbat dinners were non-negotiable and Jewish learning was something that happened both at the dinner table and in the world around me. Each week, my family would go around and share the most memorable parts of our week — a simple ritual that made time slow down and brought us closer to each other. We still do this today (virtually) with my immediate and extended family each week… Jewish life was seamlessly woven into the everyday — so much so that I never thought to separate it from who I was.

While most teachers were starting their summer vacations in Florida, Lee Levy-Friedman, a beloved Early Childhood teacher at Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach, packed her bags and flew to Israel — to volunteer as the war continued and amid the unexpected escalation with Iran. Lee traveled to Israel at the end of June as part of a grassroots effort led by Livnot U’Lehibanot ("To Build and To Be Built"), an Israeli nonprofit that’s been combining service, spirituality, and Jewish learning for over 45 years. Since October 7th, Livnot has restored more than 300 homes and public buildings in the Gaza Envelope and northern border communities.

At CAJE, we believe education is one of the strongest responses to injustice. Through programs like the Leo Martin March of the Living, we teach teens how hatred and dehumanization evolve over time, how vital it is to bear witness, and steps to becoming upstanders. When our students stand at Auschwitz or Majdanek, they hear firsthand from survivors. They return with newfound purpose and motivation to speak truth, to commit deeply to their Judaism, and to stand up for the State of Israel and the Jewish people. The same forces that shaped the Shoah — silence, distortion, and hatred — still persist. That is why CAJE remains committed to educating about misinformation and equipping our youth to respond with courage and clarity.

At the end of April, more than 55 participants from Miami, including high school seniors and staff, traveled to Poland for CAJE’s Leo Martin March of the Living. Although this year’s journey did not continue to Israel, the connection to Israel was present throughout-- woven into the educational framing, the reflective moments, and many of the sites that were visited in Poland. In Kraków, we walked through once-vibrant Jewish neighborhoods. At Majdanek, Auschwitz, and Birkenau, we bore witness to the horrors of the Holocaust.

The above was the title of the interactive workshop offered this week by Dara Horn at the Holocaust Teacher’s Institute of the University of Miami School of Education and Human Development. Carly Orshan, CAJE’s Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Teen Education, and I were invited by Dr. Kassenoff to attend from CAJE.

For decades, CAJE’s Leo Martin March of the Living (often referred to as "the Miami March") has shaped the next generation of Jewish leaders by strengthening their identity, educating about the Holocaust, and equipping them to confront antisemitism and advocate for Israel. At the heart of this journey is the presence of Holocaust Survivors, whose testimonies turn history into lived memory. But we need your support too enable them to come with the teens to Poland by providing them with upgraded flights, single rooms, and personalized care so they travel in dignity.

The March is a profound and transformative program that allows participants to bear witness to the atrocities of the Holocaust and the beauty as well as complexities of Israel, while celebrating Jewish identity and resilience. Among the many dedicated individuals who have contributed to the success and sustainability of this program, one figure stands out as a true visionary - Leo Martin z”l, a Holocaust Survivor from Lodz, Poland.

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.

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. Here is the second part of her reflections. At CAJE we are continually seeking ways to enhance our educational frameworks and support Miami youth in their connection to Israel and their Jewish identity.

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.