2023 PROGRAM DATES
- April 15 – April 23 | Poland Only
- April 15 – April 30 | Poland + Israel
- April 23 – April 30 | Israel Only
REGISTER
The 2023 March of the Living coincides with Israel’s 75th anniversary of independence, and we expect availability to be limited.
“Thou Shalt Not Stand Idly By.” – Elie Wiesel
Travel with us on a once-in-a-lifetime journey of remembrance and renewal as part of the Adult Delegation to the International March of the Living.
REMEMBRANCE IN POLAND
Together, we’ll celebrate the historical achievements of the Jewish People in Europe and bear witness to all that was lost. Our program in Poland will take us to the cities of Krakow, Tarnow, Lublin, and Warsaw, and it coincides with Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day), when we will march in unity with thousands of young people from Auschwitz to Birkenau and take part in a special ceremony attended by dignitaries from around the world.
RENEWAL IN ISRAEL (optional)
Participants have the option to continue to Israel for a tour designed for travelers returning to the Jewish Homeland anew. Together, we’ll make new discoveries in the Carmel Mountains, Ramon Crater, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv. Our itinerary coincides with the national holidays of Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day). Together, we’ll observe the national siren where the entire country stands in honor of those lost, and we’ll experience the authentic joy of celebrating the 75th anniversary of Israeli independence, dancing in the streets of Jerusalem.
Whether you travel to Poland only or Poland and Israel, you will find the March of the Living for Adults to be a highly emotional experience. More than a tour, this is an opportunity to bear witness to one of history’s darkest hours, recommit yourself to the Never Again imperative, and reinforce Jewish values of compassion, tolerance, and action.
March of the Living for Adults is an official delegation to the International March of the Living. Our delegation is jointly organized by BBYO Passport and Authentic Israel and is led by our acclaimed Jewish educators and professional guides.
PROGRAM ITINERARY
The following is our projected itinerary, subject to reasonable change based on local considerations:
[PART I | BEARING WITNESS IN POLAND]
SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2023 | Depart for Poland
- Our optional group flight departs from NYC at approximately 10:00pm
Travelers have the option to arrange their own flights and can check-in to our Krakow hotel 1-2 nights in advance of the group
SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 2023 | The Kazmierz Legacy
- Our group flight arrives to Krakow in the afternoon (TBD)
- Check-in to our hotel in Krakow – get to know our staff team and get oriented to the experience
- Introductory walking tour to Kazmierz – Krakow’s historic Jewish Quarter
- Evening: Visit the Krakow JCC, now the center of modern Jewish life in Krakow, where we’ll meet with a community leader over dinner
OVERNIGHT: Park Inn by Radisson – Kraków, Poland
Meals Included: Dinner
MONDAY, APRIL 17, 2023 | Confronting Auschwitz & Birkenau
- Honor the achievements of Polish Jewry dating back to the 14th Century – including stops at the Remu Synagogue, Tempel Synagogue, old Jewish cemetery, and Jozefa Street
- Arrive at the grounds of Auschwitz II – Birkenau where the full horror of the extermination of 1.5 million Jewish People is palpable (packed lunch provided)
- Continue to Auschwitz I, where we will tour the watchtowers, fences, cell blocks, wall of death, crematoria, and Arbeit Macht Frei Gate
- Evening: Group processing and sharing opportunities followed by a free evening and dinner on own in Krakow
OVERNIGHT: Park Inn by Radisson – Kraków, Poland
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2023 | Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Memorial Day
- Trace the history of the Holocaust at the Krakow Ghetto, the Plaszow Labor Camp and view the Oscar Schindler Factory
- Continue on to Auschwitz and join thousands of travelers from around the world for the March of the Living (lunch is provided en-route)
- Take part in the official Yom HaShoah ceremony at Birkenau attended by political leaders and dignitaries from Poland, Israel, and beyond
- Return to Krakow for a free evening and dinner on your own in Old Town Market Square
OVERNIGHT: Park Inn by Radisson – Kraków, Poland
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023 | The Galicia Countryside
- Depart Krakow and travel north through Poland’s Galicia countryside (lunch is provided en-route)
- Stop for a solemn visit to the Zbylitowska Góra forest mass grave memorial
- Break along the way to explore the Castle of Lancut and learn about the local Jewish community with lunch included
- Arrive to Lublin and enter the Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva, a famed center of Jewish learning and the site of a massive Nazi book burning
- Check-in to our hotel in central Lublin, followed by a free evening and dinner on own in Lublin’s Old Town district
OVERNIGHT: Hotel Alter – Lublin, Poland
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023 | Lublin & Majdanek
- Morning walking tour in Lublin: The historic Old City, Jewish Ghetto, Maharshal, and Grodzka Gate
- Arrive to the Majdanek concentration camp, originally set up in July 1941 for prisoners of war but soon turned into an infamous death camp for Jews and Poles
- Continue on to Warsaw and check-in to our accommodations
- Free evening and dinner on own in Old Town Warsaw
OVERNIGHT: InterContinental Hotel – Warsaw, Poland
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023 | Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
- Uprising! – Explore the remains of the Warsaw Ghetto and learn about the Jewish community’s famous revolt along the Route of Heroes and at Rappaport Memorial
- Umschlagplatz – Gathering place before transfer to Treblinka Death Camp
- Travel north from Warsaw for a solemn visit to the stark Treblinka Memorial
- Return to Warsaw and prepare for our Shabbat together in Poland
- Experience Kabbalat Shabbat at the historic Nozyk Shul followed by Shabbat dinner
OVERNIGHT: InterContinental Hotel – Warsaw, Poland
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2023 | Shabbat in Warsaw
All touring today is on foot
- Shabbat programming options followed by a closing group lunch in Warsaw
- Visit the groundbreaking Museum of the History of Polish Jews (POLIN)
- Havdallah – Mark the end of Shabbat and the start of a new week
- Evening: Group night out and dinner on own in Warsaw’s historic Old Town
OVERNIGHT: InterContinental Hotel – Warsaw, Poland
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 2023 | The Journey Continues
- Transfer to Warsaw Airport for the group flight returning to NYC or continuing to Tel Aviv
[PART II | ISRAEL REVISITED]
SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 2023 | The Land of Renewal
- Arrive at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport
- Stop for a welcome ceremony at Ramat HaNadiv Park in the Carmel Mountains, the resting place of Baron Edmond de Rothschild, a prime supporter of the 19th century Aliyah Movement
- Check-in to our hotel in Zichron Yaakov, the historic pioneering town founded by Baron Edmond James de Rothschild in the Carmel Mountains (breakfast included)
- The rest of the day is free to relax, enjoy the hotel facility and explore the Zichron Yaakov community
- Evening: Tasting, tour, and welcome dinner at the Binyamina Winery
OVERNIGHT: Elma Arts Hotel, Zichron Yaakov
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2023 | A Young Nation of Immigrants
- Celebrate the pioneers who risked it all for a new beginning in the Land of Israel at the First Aliyah Museum
- Experience how Israel absorbs its immigrants of today at Yemin Orde Youth Village – including a shared lunch with the student community
- Atlit Detention Camp – Learn about the challenges faced by Jewish refugees arriving on the shores of Israel following the Holocaust
- Ein Hod Artists’ Colony – Explore this picturesque village of artists and craftspeople in the Carmel Mountains
- Evening: Take part in a local ceremony commemorating the start of Yom HaZikaron – Israel’s Memorial Day
- Dinner is included at the hotel this evening
OVERNIGHT: Elma Arts Hotel, Zichron Yaakov
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2023 | Remembering the Sacrifice
Today is Yom Hazikaron, Israeli Memorial Day
- Depart from the Carmel Mountains and travel towards Jerusalem
- Stop en route at Kastel Fortress, the site of a key battle for Jerusalem in the 1948 War for Independence – observe a minute of silence as the national Yom HaZikaron siren sounds
- Arrive to Jerusalem, and sample your way through Jerusalem’s iconic Mahane Yehuda open-air market using the“Shuk Bites” tasting card
- Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the newly dedicated Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem, a project of the Simon Wiesenthal Center
- Evening: Dinner on your own and join Jerusalem’s Erev Yom HaAtzmaut celebrations!
OVERNIGHT: Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2023 | Celebrating Independence
Today is Yom HaAtzmaut, Israeli Independence Day
- Option #1 – Day tour to Masada and the Dead Sea (extra cost)
- Option #2 – Free day to enjoy Jerusalem on your own
- Option #3 – Celebrate Independence Day in Jerusalem taking part in March of the Living’s parade from City Hall to the Western Wall
- Evening: Attend a special Yom HaAtzmaut concert and event sponsored by March of the Living International with dinner included
OVERNIGHT: Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023 | Arts & Culture in Tel Aviv
- Depart Jerusalem for a day trip to Tel Aviv, Israel’s cultural and commercial capital
- Volunteer at the Jaffa Institute – An innovative charity dedicated to combating poverty
- Discover the secrets to Israel’s success at the Peres Center for Innovation in Jaffa
- Break for lunch on own in Jaffa with time to explore the Jaffa Flea Market
- Tour Independence Hall – explore the story of modern Israel’s creation and its founding values
- Dinner at Balinjera – Enjoy traditional Ethiopian food while being inspired by the restaurant owner’s story
- Return to Jerusalem in the evening
OVERNIGHT: Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2023 | Returning to the Old City
- Explore new discoveries at the City of David complex, including the recently excavated Herodian Road, once used by pilgrims on their way to the Temple
- Enter the Old City at Zion Gate and explore the ancient Jewish Quarter, including a visit to the restored Hurva Shul
- Break for personal exploration and shopping time in the Cardo area of the Jewish Quarter
- View of the Temple Mount from the Aish HaTorah rooftop and proceed to the Western Wall
- Return to our accommodations and prepare for our Shabbat in Jerusalem
- Kabbalat Shabbat options followed by a Shabbat dinner is at our accommodations, joined by Lone Soldiers in the IDF
OVERNIGHT: Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2023 | Shabbat in Jerusalem
All touring today is on foot
- Relaxed morning to enjoy Jerusalem on your own or attend Shabbat services
- Shabbat lunch is included at our accommodations
- Afternoon: Walking tour of Jerusalem’s historic Nachlaot neighborhood and explore the graffiti art of Mahane Yehuda that is only visible after market hours
- Program wrap-up, light dinner, and havdallah ceremony – celebrate the end of our journey
- Evening: An optional transfer is included to Ben Gurion Airport for those departing on overnight flights
OVERNIGHT: Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Light Dinner
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- An optional group flight from/to NYC
Travelers may use individual segments of the group flight and/or may request the assistance of a travel agent to book independent flights - Airport transfers for those traveling on the group flight
- A Jewish educational guide accompanies the group throughout
- A local tour manager and security escort accompany the group in Poland
- Centrally located, 4-star and 5-star hotels per the itinerary
- Breakfast daily and additional meals per the itinerary
- Luxury private touring bus with A/C
- All programming costs per the itinerary
- VIP reserved seating at the Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) and Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel Independence Day) celebration
- Remote audio headsets
- March of the Living backpack and rain jacket
NOT INCLUDED
- Travel insurance
Protect your investment, and plan ahead for the unexpected with a travel protection plan - Medical insurance
- Staff gratuities
- Hotel incidentals
ARRANGING YOUR TRAVEL
An optional round-trip group flight is offered from JFK Airport in New York City. Travelers are also welcome to use one-way segments of the group flight. Exact flight details will be released in January 2023, and participants are encouraged not to make connecting travel plans till the international flights are confirmed. Travelers who elect to arrange their own flights will also be responsible for their arrival and departure airport transfers unless otherwise arranged via our office. Travelers wishing to arrive early or stay later can be accommodated at the group hotels based on the group hotel rate and according to availability.
PROGRAM COSTS
| Double Room Occupancy | Single Room Supplement | |
| Poland Program Land costs only |
$3,300/p | $650/p |
| Poland Program Flight Supplement |
$TBD/p | N/A |
| Poland + 7-Day Israel Program Land costs only |
$5,750/p | $1,650/p |
| Poland + 7-Day Israel Program Flight Supplement |
$TBD/p | N/A |
NOTE: Travelers are also able to use individual segments of the group flight by special request. Contact us for additional details.
ENROLLMENT TERMS
Sign up for March of the Living for Adults by completing the online Registration Form
- To reserve your spot, a $250/person fully refundable deposit is due at the time of your registration (all program costs are listed in US Dollars)
- The deposit becomes non-refundable as of December 15, 2022
- The balance is due by February 15, 2023, after which all payments are non-refundable and exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis at Authentic Israel’s discretion
- Separate payment and cancellation terms may apply to the group flight (TBD)
- Cancellations must be made in writing, and we encourage you to obtain a travel insurance policy
- Payments may be made by check or credit/debit card, however, a 3% processing fee applies for credit/debit card payments (does not apply to the initial $250 deposit). Note: credit card fees are not refundable
- Authentic Israel reserves the right to deny acceptance on the tour according to their sole discretion
