Thirty community members from across Greater Philadelphia joined thousands from around the world this April to march from Auschwitz to Birkenau. The local delegation participated through the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia in support of March of the Living, an annual international educational program that explores Poland and Israel in commemoration of Yom HaShoah — Holocaust Remembrance Day. 

Among the Greater Philadelphia marchers were second- and third-generation descendants of Holocaust Survivors, who walked in solemn remembrance of family members who endured unimaginable suffering during the Holocaust — a genocide that represented hatred in its most extreme form.

“Being a Holocaust Survivor's son has had a long and profound impact on my life,” said participant Gary Falk, reflecting on why he joined the Jewish Federation’s mission. “It is essential in these times of rising antisemitism and this stage of my life for me to close the circle to see where my mother and grandmother were imprisoned and my grandfather was murdered.” 

Leading this effort were the March of the Living Mission Co-Chairs Jodi Miller, David Miller, Jill Altman and Howard Altman.

“I feel so privileged to have been able to share so many profoundly emotional moments with other mission participants: to bear witness to the atrocities of the Holocaust and to struggle with the issues that Israel is confronted with today,” said Mission Co-Chair Jodi Miller. “I return home inspired by so many personal stories of courage and hope, and by a country with a strong resolve to move forward. I am so proud we showed up for our Israeli brothers and sisters.”

For Mission Co-Chair Jill Atlman, the experience was also a unifying one.

“Chairing this specific mission gave me a front seat to honoring the past, bearing witness to the present and in sharing a common hope for the future,” Altman said. “We represented various backgrounds and denominations, but at the end of the day, we are Jews who are proud to be Jewish and that supersedes all differences.” 

Tailored to the Greater Philadelphia community, the mission also included time in the Jewish Federation’s Partnership2Gether regions of Sdot Negev and Netivot, located in southern Israel along the Gaza border.

“Only by witnessing our community's impact firsthand did I truly understand how we've helped the region,” said participant Gary Falk. “From the smiling faces of children in an innovative therapy kitchen to the healing work with trauma survivors in the resilience center, from the life-saving operations of the command center to the beauty of the park we helped develop — I was deeply impressed by our contributions. Reading reports never conveyed this, but seeing everything in person crystallized the full picture for me.”

Get a glimpse into this powerful and meaningful mission below.

Holocaust Remembrance Day, 30 Greater Philadelphia community members joined thousands of people from around the world to walk from Auschwitz to Birkenau.

Mission participants explored the rich Jewish heritage of Poland, learning about the vibrant Jewish communities that thrived pre-WWII.

Carrying Israeli flags high, Jewish Federation mission participants proclaimed “Never Again” as they walked the same path Holocaust victims took to the gas chambers.

March of the Living participants visit the housing barracks at Auschwitz concentration camp to learn about the realities of the Holocaust.

March of the Living Co-Chairs Jodi Miller, David Miller, Jill Altman and Howard Altman meet and collaborate with members of JCC Krakow.

After visiting Poland and learning about the Holocaust, participants enjoyed Shabbat in Jerusalem with a deeper understanding of why a Jewish homeland is needed.

Greater Philadelphia mission participants visited the Sheba Medical Center in Israel, which received emergency funding from the Jewish Federation to support a new rehabilitation center for soldiers and civilians.

Participants prepared a meal with celebrity Chef Eyal Lavi (center) in the Greater Philadelphia’s Partnership2Gether region of Sdot Negev at the Teaching Kitchen Project, which received emergency funds from the Jewish Federation for therapeutic intervention. 

 Participants planted trees in the Jewish Federation’s Partnership2Gether city of Netivot, symbolizing our bond spanning generations.

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The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is dedicated to commemorating the Holocaust, honoring the memory of those who perished, and promoting an understanding of its consequences through educational programming, advocacy, and direct support services for aging Survivors. To learn more, click here. 

Interested in going on a mission trip with the Jewish Federation? Learn more here or contact Erica Miller, Missions Manager, at missions@jewishphilly.org.