Experience of a Lifetime –
March of the Living
By Joan Grayson Cohen, Executive Director Jewish Community Services and Marley Cohen
Several years ago, I saw a documentary covering March of the Living and since that moment I have always desired to participate in this experience. I knew that my daughter Marley was the perfect fit to join me on this unforgettable trip.
For those of you who are not familiar with March of the Living, it is an educational program that brings thousands of individuals from around the world to Poland and Israel to study and experience the history of the Holocaust and to examine the roots of prejudice, intolerance and hate. The actual March begins in Auschwitz and ends in Birkenau death camp highlighting Jewish survival and solidarity. Each year Holocaust survivors join this March.
As time has moved on and our Holocaust survivors are reaching milestone ages, at some point in the near future, they will not be able to partake in this important experience. This fact propelled me to believe “if not now, when.”
When Marley and I signed up for this trip, we had no idea that October 7th would occur. However, we both felt that the impact of October 7th, the rise in antisemitism and hate all over the world and especially on college campuses, made it even more important to bear witness to the Holocaust and to stand up in solidarity for those who no longer can and those who survived. Again, “if not now, when.”
So, what does one experience at March of the Living?
I will share with you my views and then you will hear it through Marley’s voice.
As one would expect you bear witness to the atrocities that six million Jews and five million non-Jews faced. But what I did not expect was how much more I learned about the depth of evil calculation that transpired to both physically and mentally destroy the human soul.
I remarked on several occasions that we all know that evil exists. But it remains unfathomable how many agreed to the evil, were actors in the evil or equally tragic were complicit as bystanders. Where were the voices, the actions and frankly the souls of individuals to assist their fellow man?
At the same time, I also felt so honored and privileged to be a part of a remarkable group of six thousand people who were not all Jewish, to march for justice, to memorialize all those who perished and to support those who survived.
For the survivors who joined the March it takes courage to come back to stand where you experienced and lived the horror, and for the families who lost loved ones it takes strength and resolve to stand where they perished. The bravery and resilience were awe-inspiring and bearing witness to this was life altering and humbling for me.
I was also moved and found hope in all the history we learned about the righteous of our nations or who are sometimes referred to as righteous gentiles. They risked their own lives to assist Jews.
We were privileged to go to Schindler’s factory and the Zookeeper’s home and see where a local pharmacist lived next to the Jewish ghettos and snuck medicine and supplies to heal the sick. These were the heroes; they chose to act and not be bystanders, knowing that they were putting themselves and their families in danger.
During the incredibly moving ceremony in Birkenau, it was the group of young adults who were not Jewish, who spoke about the critical and timely need for non-Jews to stand up and support Jewish communities, which I found remarkable. It was the identified group of non-Jewish Israeli Arabs who were a large presence during the March that felt so supportive.
And it was a group sponsored by TikTok, who have been highlighting the need to stop antisemitism and hate on college campuses and beyond, that was inspiring. These experiences gave me hope.
We need to continue the conversation about the Holocaust and be vocal about the danger of antisemitism and hate rhetoric. And all of this should be an awakening to the need for human change, to be more cognizant of kindness, respect, acceptance of all and most importantly the need to be vocal when we see injustice.
My daughter Marley will now share her perspective.
Several years ago, my mom heard about the March of the Living experience and has wanted to go ever since. This recent year she felt this pull to commit.
When asked if I would join, I immediately said yes, without thinking twice, not knowing my mom’s strong need for this to be the year would come at such a crucial time in our Jewish community.
Since October 7th we have all understood “if not now when” as my mom mentioned. But I deeply feel “never again is now.” This opportunity reinforced just that.
Growing up in the Baltimore Jewish community with a Jewish day school education, I have always learned about the atrocities of the Holocaust and understood the generational effects those events will forever have on our community.
What I could only learn by walking in the footsteps of the survivors and the more unfortunate six million lost Jews and five million lost non-Jews, was the extent at which the evil took over during that time. As we marched through Auschwitz and Birkenau there were thriving neighborhoods alongside the camps which made me see the depths at which people stood by and watched our community be tortured.
The March concluded in a ceremony filled with survivors being honored and university presidents coming forward in support. Being able to share in the witnessing of these survivors marching on the same grounds where they were living under the horrific conditions was so special and showed such strength and resilience.
It has been a hard time for me, as well as many others, living in Manhattan with the rise of antisemitism being palpable as the attacks and danger have continued to grow in our community, causing me to disengage and feel isolated. I did not except to be so inspired from this experience and be reminded of the power of our community and the fearlessness that Jews have always possessed.
This experience has changed me forever. It has allowed me to not only pass on my learnings but share images and stories to those not educated so that I can be a part of the movement “Never again is now” in an active way.
We both feel fortunate to have shared a part of our Jewish history together and are grateful to have gone and to have learned. We feel empowered and obligated to educate others at this critical time.
For information on the March of the Living, click here.
Subscribe to our newsletter
The Associated is a home for everyone in the Baltimore Jewish community. We offer several email lists to help people find a community, engage with their peers and support Jewish journeys around the world.
Join Our Mailing List
Add Impact to Your Inbox
Sign up for our newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter
The Associated is a home for everyone in the Baltimore Jewish community. We offer several email lists to help people find a community, engage with their peers and support Jewish journeys around the world.
Join Our Mailing List
Please Wait while we loading your video.