Frequently Asked Questions

How do I or my teen register to participate in the March of the Living program?

Teen participants will need to apply HERE. Spots will be limited this year, so we encourage each student to complete their application and sign up for an interview in a timely manner.  

Adults interested in traveling on the March of the Living can learn more about the Adult program with the Friends of the March of the Living HERE.

Will sessions be held in person?

The program will be held in person this year including in-person Interviews. Participation in all local programming is required to travel on the March. 

Click HERE to review the program calendar.

Is there a fee to participate in the program?

The non-refundable application fee is $260. The application fee is not applied toward tuition and is separate from the total cost of the program. At this time, we do not have all the details regarding the cost of the full program to Poland and Israel. We expect tuition to range between $7,900 and $8,900. Additionally, travel and medical insurance must be purchased independently of the tuition fee. The exact costs and cancellation policy will be finalized by October 2025, with all payments due between November 2025 and February 2026.

Financial aid opportunities are available for worthy students. Scholarships are provided by the Friends of the March of the Living.

Do I have to be vaccinated to join the program?

We will be experiencing the March program with Holocaust Survivors who feel safest sharing spaces and traveling with teens who are vaccinated. We believe in creating a safe environment for every participant and staff member. Participants should be vaccinated. 

In addition we recommend receiving a Covid booster and a flu shot prior to departure.

We will update this information should this policy change over time.

Why should I sign up for the program?

The March is a six-month educational program as well as a two-week immersive travel experience to Poland and Israel. Every year our goal is for Marchers to become upstanders. Join the March to learn how you can stand up against hate and antisemitism. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from Survivors and Second Gens in addition to being immersed in visiting sites of our collective past. An additional goal for the Miami March is to prepare participants for antisemitism and/or anti-Israel rhetoric seen on college campuses.

Who is eligible to participate in the program?

Eligible teens are Jewish high school seniors in Miami-Dade County. Priority goes to students who live in Miami-Dade, attend school in Miami-Dade and/or belong to a Synagogue in Miami-Dade. Typically, students need to have two out of these three items checked off to be considered for our Miami-Dade program (i.e., live and go to school in Miami-Dade or live and belong to a synagogue in Miami-Dade). Attending ALL educational sessions are mandatory for participating in the full program.

What are the dates for the 2026 program?

Tentative travel dates for the 2026 Miami March of the Living program are April 12–24, 2026. All participants are expected to travel with the group for the entire duration of the program, including both the Poland and Israel portions.

The program concludes tentatively on April 24 in Israel. Travel and educational experiences are designed as a complete journey, and all participants should plan to participate in the full experience as outlined.

Details regarding return travel and flight arrangements will be shared once finalized.

Educational Sessions

Participation in all educational sessions—including a required Shabbat dinner—is mandatory for all accepted students. Sessions take place approximately twice per month from January through March, with a virtual kickoff in December. Each session is 4–6 hours in length.

If a teen cannot attend a session, they will be required to complete a make-up assignment or attend a make-up session.

The full calendar of sessions can be found Here.

Participation at all sessions is mandatory. If teens cannot attend a specific session, there will be a homework assignment to complete and/or a make-up session that they will be required to attend. 

Teens must participate in the full 2-week program and are not able to deviate from the full 2-week travel experience. Teens cannot leave after Poland, leave Israel early or join the group mid-way through the program. Deviation requests to meet the group in Poland or extend travel will be reviewed on a case-by-case situation. This year, the March of the Living is not able to coordinate deviations and if a participant is approved by Miami MOTL staff to deviate (meet the group in Poland or extend their stay in Israel only), they will need to pay and coordinate flights on their own.

How does the March of the Living program impact AP testing?

The 2026 March of the Living program is tentatively scheduled for April 12–24, 2026, and will conclude prior to the start of AP testing.

According to the College Board, AP exams will take place during the weeks of May 4–8 and May 11–15, 2026. Students participating in the March will return with ample time to rest and prepare before testing begins.

If you have specific questions about academic accommodations or school-related responsibilities, we recommend speaking directly with your school’s AP coordinator.

Why does March of the Living (MOTL) have different travel policies than my child’s local day school trip to Israel?

MOTL is a global organization that brings together thousands of teens from across the world. Because of its international scope, MOTL must follow stricter insurance, safety, and travel requirements that apply to an international program rather than a local community trip.

My child’s day school is planning to travel to Israel—why can they go, but MOTL cannot?

Day school trips are local programs organized within a single community or institution. Their insurance, risk management, and decision-making processes are based only on their specific group and location. MOTL, by contrast, is accountable to global insurers, international risk management standards, and the safety of participants from many countries traveling together.

What does this mean in practice?

• Insurance: MOTL works with global insurance carriers that often have stricter guidelines than local providers.
• Risk Management: Decisions must take into account a large-scale, multinational program with thousands of participants, not just one school community.
• Organizational Scope: Requirements are set at the international level, which can be different—and often more restrictive—than those used by a single local school.

Does this mean MOTL is less committed to Israel travel?

Not at all. Israel remains a central part of the MOTL experience, and we are committed to bringing participants there whenever possible. When circumstances or insurance restrictions make this temporarily impossible, we provide meaningful alternatives and ensure the program concludes with deep impact, just as it has in recent years.

I’m confused about my options. Who can I talk with to answer my questions?

Yes! We would love to speak with you. 

Please contact us by emailing: miamimotl@caje-miami.org 

or calling us at: 786-741-3049.