alumni testimonials
About
2300 Australians have participated on the March of the Living trips since 2001.
The participants from 2025 share their reflections below.
Jacqui Foux
"This journey for me meant walking in the footsteps of my grandparents who were both Schindler's list survivors. From seeing where my grandparents were born and raised to seeing their home in the Krakow Ghetto and the concentration camps and death camps that they and their family were sent to was a profound experience for me and one that I will never ever forget.
I was so thankful to do the March of the Living and experience these things with a wonderful group of people. The feeling of being part of a 10,000 strong delegation of Jews from all around the world descending on Poland was truly magical. I felt part of something much bigger and stronger than myself or even our Australian delegation."
Alex wharton
"March of the Living was a transformative journey that reshaped me both personally and professionally. Walking through the sites of the Holocaust in Poland, alongside survivors and peers (now life long friends), brought history into painful, human clarity. The experience deepened my understanding of memory, resilience, and the devastating cost of silence.
Travelling on to Israel was the most powerful contrast, a place of life, culture, and renewal that underscores the enduring spirit of the Jewish people. As an educator, I now carry a greater responsibility to teach not only the facts of history, but its emotional truths, to equip young people with the empathy, knowledge, and courage to stand up against hatred and injustice in all forms. I am forever changed and deeply grateful for this opportunity."
Sam Zwarenstein
"Participating in March of the Living was one of the most moving and transformative experiences of my life. Visiting the concentration camps in Poland and standing where so many of our ancestors perished brought history to life in a compelling way. Bearing witness to the harsh and confining environments, as well as experiencing the rich history of our ancestors in Poland, took me on a journey of honour and sorrow, of pride and loss. It wasn't just a history lesson - it was a deep-rooted connection to our collective memory, a reminder of both the depths of human cruelty and the strength of Jewish resilience.
Visiting Israel was made even more meaningful by having just been in Poland. While our homeland has experienced deep trauma and so much loss following the attacks on 7 October 2023 and the ensuing war, it was an incredible opportunity to learn more about the impact of recent events as well as reconnect with our our spiritual and ancestral home. "
Aaron Grolman
"A journey of contrasts — from grief to pride, darkness to light. Walking through Auschwitz alongside Holocaust survivors and survivors of October 7th was one of the most surreal and powerful moments of my life. It was a stark reminder that while the faces of antisemitism may change, the hatred remains — and yet, so does our resilience.
The story didn’t end in sorrow. Celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut in Israel — dancing, singing, and waving flags with thousands of Jews from around the world — was a moment of pure joy and pride. I felt connected not just to history, but to a living, breathing people who despite everything, refuse to be broken.
What stayed with me most was the strength of our people — the unbreakable chain that links past, present, and future. And it wasn’t just about the places. It was the people: the friends who became family, the educators who challenged us, and the survivors who showed us what it means to live with courage. March of the Living didn’t just educate me — it changed me. I left not only remembering history, but carrying it forward with pride and purpose."
Em Lewin
"When I stood on the spot where Chaim Rumkowski gave his harrowing “Give Me Your Children” speech in the Łódź Ghetto, I felt the weight of the torture every parent would have felt, it pressed down on me. I found myself asking the unthinkable: what would I have done? How would I have faced such a choice, knowing the ending?
There were countless moments like that. At Jagiellonian University, I walked where great minds once turned to hate – intellect that could have been used for good. In Heroes’ Square, I pictured the vibrant Jewish life that was torn apart by the same educated people. I stood on the platform in Auschwitz II where my grandmother Ruti once stood, while Mengele decided her fate with the flick of a finger. At Majdanek, I struggled to find words as rabbits hopped through the grass and daisies grew from earth that still holds the memory of horror.
March of the Living is a reminder of what innocent people and families endured, the miracle that we’re here, and the responsibility we all have to make sure our children grow up in a world where this kind of hatred is never allowed to take root again."
tayla rabie
"Walking through the camps and learning about the horrors of the Holocaust was incredibly confronting, but it also gave me a deeper understanding of resilience, identity, and the importance of memory.
One of the most powerful moments for me was hearing survivor Mark Spigelman share his story standing beside his wife, son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. In a place that once tried to wipe out Jewish life, seeing him surrounded by his family was a powerful reminder of everything that's been rebuilt—and the strength it takes to get there. "
