STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH ISRAEL AND THE HOSTAGES

Photo Credit: Avishag Shaar Yashuv

As we commemorate one year since the unprecedented October 7th attacks on Israel, we carry in our hearts the memory of over 1200 victims who were tragically murdered that day and the days that followed.  We pray for the well being of those who survived and are on the road to recovery. We also pray for the safety of all IDF soldiers who risk their lives everyday guarding the length and breadth of Israel’s borders. We join the global call for the immediate release of all hostages currently held in Gaza and pray for the speedy return of the residents of the Gaza border area and northern Israel to their homes, and for resilience, and strength for All Israel.

Most importantly, we pray for a true and lasting peace for Israel and all those who dwell in the region.

“I was born in Poland and survived the Holocaust. I never imagined I would visit Auschwitz, but since Yotam marched there, I marched in his footsteps.

No one will defeat us. After losing my beloved grandson, I felt it was important to attend the March of the Living, to stand tall before the world and proclaim: Am Yisrael Chai.

We have risen from the Holocaust, and we will rise again from October 7.”

Judith marched in memory of her family members who were murdered in the Holocaust, as well as in memory of the victims from October 7th.

“I grew up learning about the Holocaust I was born into. It shaped my entire life, even though I bore no physical scars or memories of the horrors because I was just a baby. Throughout my life, I never felt the need to visit Poland, despite many invitations. But then came October 7, 2023—an attack of hate and murder against us, simply for being Jewish. This time, when I was invited to join the March of the Living at Auschwitz-Birkenau, I immediately agreed. It was time, I thought, to remind the world that we are here and will not be led to slaughter again.

Our delegation of October 7 survivors was unique. I didn’t feel alone there. I drew strength from the variety of Jewish and non-Jewish groups from all over the world. Our unity made me prouder of my Jewish identity than ever before. Yes, I am Israeli, but first, I am Jewish.

Singing Hatikvah from the stage at Birkenau, at the foot of the crematorium, alongside my delegation members, is a moment I will never forget. That day, I decided to return to Kibbutz Mefalsim in the Gaza Envelope. A few months later, I returned home with my husband to show the younger generation that we must not give up on our life’s work—not here in the south, nor in the Galilee.”

“In the March of the Living, I felt closest to my father”

Yuval Dancyg, son of murdered hostage Holocaust educator Alex Dancyg

Caption: In the photo: Yuval Dancyg (second from left) alongside Fernando Marman and Gabriela Leimberg, who were released from Hamas captivity, Amos Horn, brother of Eitan and Yair Horn who are still in captivity, and Thomas Hand, father of Emily, who was also released from captivity, at the opening of the 2024 March of the Living. Credit: Avishag Shaar-Yashuv.

Alex Dancyg, an Israeli-Polish Holocaust educator, was kidnapped from his home in Nir Oz on October 7 and murdered by Hamas terrorists in Gaza. Alex was an educator of youth trips to Poland, promoted Israeli-Polish dialogue, and educated generations of teachers and students about Holocaust remembrance. May his memory be blessed.

Yuval Dancyg, the son of Alex Dancyg told us at the March:

“I was far from Israel but felt closest to my father, and it gave me strength. I joined the March of the Living not just to learn and see history but to reinforce the message and echo that from the Holocaust, we rose to great redemption—we founded a state. After October 7, we will have to rise again, this time for the recovery and healing of the nation. This will only happen with the return of all the hostages to Israel.”

Panama Youth Delegation, 2024 March of the Living

BRING THEM HOME NOW

We remember and continue to pray for the safe return of the 101 hostages still in captivity, among them children, men, women, and the elderly. Let us continue to raise our voices and demand their release NOW.

Lt Col Shay Abramson, IDF chief cantor, performed the song “Bring Him Home” from the musical “Les Misérables,” at the March of the Living Eve of Yom HaShoah ceremony in Krakow.

“As a survivor of the Nova Festival massacre, being able to march with survivors of the Holocaust reminded me that though we have lost some battles we will not lose the war”.

Natalie Sanandaji is the daughter of an Israeli mother and an Iranian father. Natalie lives in New York and came to Israel to attend a wedding. Several days later she attended the Nova music festival with friends, a party that became one of the hardest hit during the Hamas massacre on October 7th.

“We woke up to the sound of rockets and gunfire and got into our car. The traffic was terrible, and we were told to leave the vehicles and start running. I ran for hours. People who stopped and hid in ditches or bushes were murdered. Luckily, a civilian I owe my life to rescued us with his car. He picked us up and dropped us off in a safe place and went back to save more people. His name is Moshe Saati. Without him, I wouldn’t have survived.”

A few weeks after the massacre, Natalie joined the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), and since then, has been telling the story of the Nova massacre around the world.

“This past May I, a Nova survivor, flew to Poland for the March of the Living for the first time in my life. As a survivor of the Nova Festival massacre, being able to march with survivors of the Holocaust reminded me that though we have lost some battles we will not lose the war. And by the war I don’t mean this specific war between Hamas and Israel, I mean the war of antisemitism against the Jews that has been going on for centuries.

I came to Poland as part of a delegation of survivors from the October 7th attacks from all different areas throughout southern Israel. Spending time with this delegation, and spending time with survivors of the Holocaust reminded me how resilient and strong the Jewish people are. I felt so honored and lucky to have that time with them.”

“The March of the Living is an opportunity to honor those lost and to support survivors such as Emily, who have endured unimaginable hardships. The march symbolizes a collective commitment to remember the past and fight against the darkness that once overshadowed so many lives. Every year it’s important to be here, but this year it was times a hundred more important. This is supposed to be “never again,” but this is “again.” Antisemitism is pure hatred of Jews that stems from ignorance. The Jewish people will survive everything; they are a very strong people.”

Thomas Hand is the father of 9-year-old Emily, who was kidnapped to Gaza from her stepmother Narkis, who was murdered in Kibbutz Beeri. Emily was released in a hostage deal and has been recovering from the trauma since.