Join thousands of Jewish teens from around the world this April 3-17, 2013 on the March of the Living – an emotional journey to Poland and Israel that impacts your sense of perspective and identity in profound ways.

Itinerary Overview

The March of the Living encompasses travel to Poland and Israel. Learn More: Program Itinerary

• Week #1: Poland
  Travel to Poland to honor the Jewish community of the past in cities like Krakow, Lublin, and Warsaw – and emotionally retrace the history and horrors of the Holocaust. To mark Yom HaShoah, teens from over 60 countries take part in a moving two-mile “March of the Living” from Auschwitz to Birkenau – concluding with the singing of Hatikvah which reaffirms “Am Yisrael Chai – The Jewish People Live.”
• Week #2: Israel
  Fly from Poland to Israel to join millions of Israelis in celebrating Yom Ha'Atzmaut - Israel's 65th Independence Day festivities. Travel to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and the Dead Sea. Walk in the footsteps of 3000 years of Jewish history and experience the modern day miracle of Israel's creation with a deep sense of appreciation and joy.

The March of the Living encompasses travel to Poland and Israel. Learn More: Program Itinerary

Confronting the Destruction in Poland

We begin our journey in Poland learning about the rich history of the Jewish People in Europe prior to the Holocaust. Explore the old Jewish Quarter of Krakow, the restored Nozyck Synagogue in Warsaw, and the famous Yeshiva of Lublin where Jewish life in Galicia thrived dating back to medieval times.

With this deeper appreciation of our proud past, we confront the destruction of the Holocaust – bearing witness at the concentration camps and the death camps of Treblinka, Majdanek, and ultimately, Auschwitz-Birkenau. Along the way, we will stop at the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising memorial, Mila 18, and Oscar Schindler's factory. The BBYO delegation is accompanied by a survivor in Poland, which creates a link between generations and fosters a personal connection to our history.

The March of the Living experience in Poland culminates with Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), with a three kilometer march from Auschwitz to Birkenau, the largest extermination camp complex built by the Nazis during World War II. Retrace the steps of the “March of Death,” the actual route which countless numbers of our People walked on their way to the gas chambers at Birkenau. However, our march will be a “March of the Living” concluding with the singing of Hatikvah which reaffirms “Am Yisrael Chai – The Jewish People Live.”

Our emotional journey in Poland concludes in Warsaw where our focus shifts to the resurgence of Jewish life in Warsaw today -- with newly re-dedicated synagogues, schools, organizations and youth groups. Stand hand-in-hand with the modern day Jewish community which continues to keep the flame of our People alive in Poland.

Celebrating Renewal in Israel

Departing Poland, we fly overnight to Israel where we land in the vibrant, sun-soaked Jewish State. Our travels in Israel begin in Tel Aviv where we will eat a celebratory welcome breakfast on the beach, retrace the founding of modern Israel in 1948 and experience the contemporary heart of Israeli culture.

From Tel Aviv, we travel to Jerusalem. Here, we experience the ancient and the modern together. Our Jerusalem journey starts in the Jewish Quarter at the Western Wall – our most cherished link to the past. Relive the glory of ancient Jerusalem history; recount its 2000 year-old destruction; celebrate the reunification in 1967; and imagine a Jerusalem of the future.

On Yom Hazikaron (Israel's Memorial Day), we join together with all of Israel to mourn fallen soldiers and victims of terror. The following day is Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Israel's Independence Day), and all of the March of the Living delegations from around the world reunite in Jerusalem for a second march followed by an international celebration event that evening. Having witnessed the darkness of the Holocaust firsthand, these life-affirming experiences in Israel are especially moving and meaningful.

Our journeying in Israel concludes with the unforgettable experience of hiking up to Masada at sunrise followed by floating on the waters of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth.

Although our time in Israel is short, it will certainly lay a significant foundation that will encourage you to seek further Jewish experiences for the rest of your life.

The goal of the "March of the Living" is to educate Jewish teens about the richness of our past, to keep that past alive and to perpetuate our Jewish future. Past participants have maintained their level of Jewish commitment by returning to Israel, seeking a Jewish lifestyle in college, acting to protect human rights, and developing a sense of leadership and responsibility for the Jewish World around us.

Program Package

• Round-trip flights from NYC
• Accommodations (hotels and guest houses)
• All meals (kosher)
• Activities & entrance fees
• Deluxe motorcoach
• Dynamic staff team
• Security escort & monitoring
• Medical insurance (excludes pre-existing conditions)

Trip Links

• Program Itinerary
• Pre-Trip Prep 2013
• Registration Instructions
• Why Israel, Why Now?
• Safety & Security
• REGISTER NOW

High school-age teens wishing to join the National Teen Delegation can register now. We encourage you to review the registration details for complete information about the March of the Living registration process and terms. There are only a limited number of spaces available for the 2013 March of the Living, and we recommend signing up early.

Program Cost: TBD

Tuition covers roundtrip flights from New York City, accommodations, all meals and programming. Participants are responsible for their own travel to JFK Airport and suggested gratuities of $100.

NOTE: Early registration and membership discounts do not apply for March of the Living. However, alumni of any prior BBYO Passport summer program are entitled to a $250 credit.

Eligibility & Preparation

This program is appropriate for Jewish high school students from North America who exhibit maturity, leadership potential, and the ability to communicate their experiences with others. Each participant must obtain permission to miss two weeks of school. BBYO will provide assistance and documentation as needed (see below).

Not Able to Travel During the School Year?

BBYO Passport is offering a similar four-week experience in Poland and Israel this coming summer from June 23 - July 22, 2013. The program is based on ten days of travel in Poland, Prague & Budapest followed by a three week journey in Israel. Complete details are available at Euro-Israel Journey Central.

National Scholarships

In keeping with BBYO Passport's mission to share the experience of Israel with as many Jewish teens as possible, BBYO has established a need-based, national scholarship fund for March of the Living 2013. After registering risk-free, you will find a link to apply for a scholarship in your registration account. Funds are available up to $2,000/teen and according to need. The deadline to apply is December 17, 2012. Additional community funding opportunities are available as well. Learn More: Scholarships

Questions about the March?

• Program-related questions:
  Sherrie Stalarow (Program Director)
• Registration-related questions:
  Susan Sloan (Program Coordinator)

Obtaining School Permission

Worried about getting time off from school to attend the March? We will help! Please consider submitting this letter of explanation and program overview document. Need additional assistance? Contact Sherrie Stalarow, the Program Director.

Summer Travel Program Discount

Did you know that March of the Living alumni automatically qualify for a $250 registration discount towards a summer program with BBYO Passport? A world of travel opportunities await you in Europe, South Africa, Costa Rica, the Western USA, and Israel.

BBYO's National Teen Delegation is open to Jewish teens from across the United States. Additionally, BBYO Passport partners with local organizations to provide the following community delegations:

• Ohio Communities Delegation
  Join fellow Jewish teens from Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, and other Ohio communities on the first ever Ohio Delegation to the March of the Living. This experience is open to Jewish high school teens of all backgrounds. Learn More: Ohio Delegation
• St. Louis Community Delegation
  Join fellow adults and teens from the St. Louis region on a communal March of the Living experience with flights out of Chicago. The program is a multi-generational experience and is open to Jewish travelers of all backgrounds. Learn More: St. Louis Delegation
• Harrisburg Community Delegation
  Be a part of the Harrisburg Delegation tradition. This is a communal March of the Living experience that is open Jewish high school teens of all backgrounds. Adults are welcomed to participate as well. Learn More: Harrisburg Delegation
  
• Frankel Jewish Academy Delegation
  Travel with fellow graduating seniors from the Frankel Jewish Academy as part of a community group departing from Chicago. Learn More: Frankel Jewish Academy Delegation
  

If your school, synagogue, federation or other local Jewish agency is interested in taking part in the March of the Living as a community delegation, contact us about partnering opportunities.

BBYO is inviting parents and other adults (age 21 and over) to take part in the experience alongside our National Teen Delegation. The program is open to Jewish travelers of all backgrounds, and adult participants need not be the parent of a teen participant or have any prior connection with BBYO.

The cost of the program for adults is $5,450/person based on double room hotel occupancy or $6,250 based on single room hotel occupancy. Program fees cover round trip flights from New York City or Chicago, hotel accommodations, all meals, touring, local transportation and medical insurance (excluding pre-existing conditions). Participants are responsible for their own travel to the gateway airport and suggested gratuities of $100/person.

Learn More & Register:
Adult Participation in the March

NOTE: Adults wishing to take part in the Poland half of the experience alone may do so by prior arrangement. Contact us for additional details.