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PROGRAM

This annual ‘pilgrimage’, where participants have the opportunity to ‘go where history books can’t’, comprises an immersive, emotive and educational journey in Poland and Israel. ​​

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Download the 2026 brochure here


Program dates for 2026:

Start date: Monday Morning 13 April in Krakow

Departure for Israel: Sunday 19 April from Warsaw

Program end in Israel: Thursday Evening 23 April​​

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Our  participants are accompanied by the March of the Living Australia team of highly-qualified educators and remarkable Survivors to learn about 1,000 Years of Jewish Life in Poland; the devastation and horrors of the Holocaust; incredible stories of selfless bravery by Righteous Among the Nations; the re-building of a thriving Jewish community in Poland; the attitudes of Polish citizens today, and so much more.

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Click below to watch the recording of our 2026 Information session where we touched on many topics, ranging from the structure and overall impact of the program, the itinerary and the process of application and registration. We also heard from Mushkie Gordon and Mark Spigelman who were both on the MOTL 2025 program. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The journey in Poland includes the International March of the Living commemorative event on Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day), where our Australian delegations join up to 15 thousand people from all around the world to share in a once-in-a-lifetime experience: marching the three kilometres from Auschwitz I to Birkenau, culminating in one of the most moving and meaningful ceremonies imaginable alongside the remains of the gas chambers and crematoria, paying tribute to all those who were murdered during the Holocaust and the Survivors, and pledging to make the world a better place.

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Those choosing to continue the journey to Israel will have the opportunity of experiencing the country in a way and at a time of year that escapes most tourists: they will connect with the biblical and historical aspects of the Holy Land;  explore the context of the struggles that Israel faces from a geo-political and existential perspective after October 7th;  and explore and discuss some of Israel’s ongoing challenges and issues. Our participants experience all this whilst having the privilege of ‘celebrating / marking’ two of the most fundamental modern-day holidays in the Jewish calendar: Yom HaZikaron (Remembrance Day) - a day dedicated to memorialising those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the fight for the State of Israel, followed immediately by Yom Ha’Atzmaut – Israel’s Day of Independence. This juxtaposition of being in Poland over Holocaust Memorial Day and then in Israel over Remembrance / Independence Days, accompanied by a supportive and like-minded group and led by exemplary educators, is what makes March of the Living so special. Now is the time to experience this for yourself and ‘go where history books can’t’.  

 

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We strongly recommend completing both the Poland and Israel components of the program in order to experience and benefit from its full impact. However, we fully acknowledge and understand that this may not always be possible or desirable depending on the particular circumstances of the participant, and therefore offer a Poland-only option alongside the full  program (Poland and Israel).

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While there is a strong focus on the ‘Jewish story’ pre / during / post the Holocaust, we fully acknowledge that many non-Jews faced a similar fate as Jews at the hands of the Nazis, and we explore and learn about the non-Jewish victims of the Holocaust in the most appropriate manner. Furthermore, great attention is paid to the role of the Righteous Among the Nations and, where possible, we try to engage with as broad a spectrum as possible of modern-day Poland and its people.

 

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Israel - Day 1
(Monday)

  • Drive to Sderot and visit Be'eri, Nova. 

  • Meet with Oct 7 survivors 

  • Erev Yom HaZikaron Ceremony 

  • Overnight Jerusalem

Israel - Day 2
(Tuesday)

  • ​Yad Vashem and Har Herzl

  • Yom Hazikaron siren

  • Yom Ha’Atzmaut Celebrations

  • Overnight Jerusalem

Israel - Day 3
(Wednesday)

  • Yom Ha'Atzmaut

  • Israel Museum

  • Peres Peace Centre

  • MOTL Global Event​

  • Overnight Jerusalem

Israel - Day 4
(Thursday)

  • National Library

  • Old City / Kotel

  • Kids 4 Peace

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scholarships

March of the Living Australia aims to provide access to this once in a life time experience for as many people as possible. Applications close on the 28th November. Interviews will be done the week after.  

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Young Leaders Scholarship (18-32 year olds) This is for emerging leaders who are passionate about being upstanders and want to take action for a better world. 

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Educators Scholarship For people who work in schools, universities, or museums and who are focused on educating the next generation about the dangers of antisemitism and hate. 

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Miriam Orski Memorial Scholarship for someone from the Sydney Jewish community who has dreamt of going on this program but hasn't been able to owing to financial constraints. 

2026 cost

Poland and Israel - $8,600 USD

Poland Only - $5,200 USD

Optional extra for single occupancy

Price excludes flights and travel insurance

Itinerary


Itineraries vary from year to year based on the specific dates of Holocaust Memorial Day, Yom Ha’Atzmaut,

the Sabbath etc.  As a general rule, the program usually starts about 2 days after the end Passover and at least one day before Holocaust Memorial Day.

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The below is a general sample itinerary.

Poland - Day 1
(Monday)

  • Kazimierz Jewish District Walking Tour - Remu Synagogue / Galicia Museum / JCC

  • Krakow Ghetto

  • Erev Yom HaShoah Ceremony

  • Overnight Krakow

Poland - Day 2
(Tuesday)

  • Yom HaShoah

  • Mass Grave 

  • The International
    March of the Living Commemoration 

  • Overnight Krakow

Poland - Day 3
(Wednesday)

  • Oswiecim (the town of Auschwitz) – Synagogue and Museum

  • Auschwitz

  • JCC

  • Overnight Krakow

Poland - Day 4 

(Thursday)

  • Lublin – Yeshiva / Museum

  • Majdanek

  • Overnight Warsaw

Poland - Day 5
(Friday)

  • Lodz Ghetto 

  • Jan Karski Centre

  • Genscia Cemetery –Warsaw

  • Erev Shabbat Services – Nozyk Shul

Poland - Day 6
(Saturday)

  • Walking tour Umshlagplatz
    and Mila18

  • Warsaw Ghetto Wall

  • Pawiak Prison

  • Overnight Warsaw

Poland - Day 7
(Sunday)

  • Polin Jewish Museum – 1,000 Years of Jewish Life in Poland

  • J.H.I. Ringelblum Archive

  • Flight to Israel

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Contact Us
quick links

PO Box 268

Elsternwick Victoria 3185

admin@motl.com.au

  • March of the Living Australia Facebook Page
  • March of the Living Australia Instagram Page
  • March of the Living Australia YouTube Channel
Susbcribe to Our Newsletter

 

 

March of the Living Australia Ltd acknowledges the traditional Aboriginal owners of country throughout Australia, and pays its respect to them, their culture and their Elders past, present and emerging.

 

© 2024 by MARCH OF THE LIVING AUSTRALIA

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