Youth · Ages 15–18

Walk with your generation.

Join thousands of high school students from around the world on a journey through Poland and Israel that changes how you see history, your identity and your future.

Find your delegation →How to apply →

PolandMay 3 – 9

The MarchYom HaShoah, May 4

IsraelMay 9/10 – 13

Exact dates vary by delegation.

Students carrying the International March of the Living banner

How to join

Youth delegations are organized by local communities. You apply through the delegation for your city or country.

1
Find your delegation
Choose your country on the World Delegations page to see the youth delegations near you.
2
Apply
Submit an application, medical form, essay and letters of recommendation, then take part in a personal interview.
3
Prepare
Accepted students receive a study curriculum and attend seminars created to prepare them for the March.
4
March
One week in Poland, the March on Yom HaShoah, then on to Israel for Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut.

Who can apply. High school students in grades 10, 11 and 12 may apply, at the discretion of local communities. Applications are carefully reviewed, and not every applicant can be accepted.

What happens on the March

At Birkenau, students take part in a memorial service that closes with Hatikvah. From Poland, the group flies to Israel to celebrate with the whole country.

May 3 – 9 · Poland
A week in Poland
Travel from Krakow to Warsaw with Holocaust scholars, visiting what remains of a once-thriving Jewish world and the signs of its revival today.
May 4 · Yom HaShoah
The March
Walk the 3 kilometers from Auschwitz to Birkenau with Holocaust survivors and thousands of marchers from 52 countries.
May 11 · Yom HaZikaron
Memorial Day in Israel
Stand with the people of Israel as the country remembers its fallen soldiers and victims of terror.
May 12 · Yom Ha’atzmaut
Independence Day
Celebrate Israel’s independence together with marchers from around the world.

Youth delegations travel to both Poland and Israel. Exact dates vary by delegation.

Safe and supported, every step

What every family can count on.

Holocaust scholarsWorld-renowned educators guide every group and give each site its history and meaning.
SurvivorsHolocaust survivors march with us and share their testimony in the places where it happened.
Security on every busArmed guards travel with each group, and every site is cleared before groups arrive.
Kosher throughoutAll meals in Poland and Israel are certified kosher, and buses do not run on Shabbat.

Questions from families

Your local delegation can answer questions about dates, cost and preparation in your community.

What is the March of the Living, and who takes part?

March of the Living is part of the single largest Jewish educational program for teens and adults in the world. It brings together people from more than 50 countries to spend time in Poland around Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, learning about the Jewish community that once thrived there and the resurgence of Jewish life in Poland today. Many participants continue to Israel for Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, and Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day.

Is this a depressing trip?

The journey lets participants encounter the richness and anguish of our past, the vitality of the present, and hope for the future. The sites in Poland are deeply emotional, yet the experience is also uplifting, because you share moments of both sadness and joy with people from all over the world. Israel is powerful and inspiring. Participants come away with lasting bonds and a life-changing experience.

How is security handled?

Security and safety are a top priority. Delegations travel with at least one armed security guard per bus, and every site is checked and cleared by security in the morning and again before groups arrive. The International March of the Living works with the highest levels of law enforcement and government in Poland and Israel.

Is the food kosher? What religious practices are observed?

The program accommodates the religious needs of all participants. Buses do not operate on Shabbat, and all food in Poland and Israel is certified kosher.

Is the trip physically demanding?

There is a fair amount of walking on most days, so bring comfortable shoes you can stand in for several hours. There are opportunities to sit and rest at every location.

What if my passport is expired, or I don’t have one?

Apply for or renew your passport as early as possible. You will need to submit a copy of the photo page with your application, and your passport should remain valid for at least six months after your travel dates.