By: Rena Uretsky, Edmonton Talmud Torah Class of 2018
Every year, thousands of students participate in the March of the Living, a journey that takes them to the very heart of Holocaust history. For me, as a Grade 11 student, this experience was transformative, leaving a profound impact that will last a lifetime.
Before embarking on the March of the Living, I had studied the Holocaust at Talmud Torah and briefly in high school. I had read books, watched documentaries, and listened to various survivors share their harrowing experiences. Yet, nothing could have prepared me for the reality of standing in Treblinka, walking the same paths as my own family who suffered and perished years before. Seeing the barracks, the gas chambers, and the piles of shoes was overwhelming. It became more raw and real than I ever thought possible.
One of the most powerful moments for me was meeting Holocaust survivors who accompanied our group. Listening to their firsthand accounts made history deeply personal. I met a survivor named Alex Buckman, who lost his entire family in the camps and unfortunately passed away on this trip. His family had placed him and his cousin in an orphanage for the duration of the war, hoping to protect them from harm. Hearing his story, and shortly after, witnessing his passing, gave me a responsibility: to remember and to share his story with others.
After visiting Poland and witnessing the remnants of a dark past, our group traveled to Israel to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israeli Independence Day). The contrast was overwhelming. One moment, I was standing in the ruins of a death camp, mourning six million lives lost. Days later, I was in Israel, celebrating Jewish survival and resilience. It made me realize that despite the horrors of the past, the Jewish people always endure.
The March of the Living ignited a passion in me to educate others about the Holocaust and combat antisemitism. I came back different. I feel a responsibility to speak up against hate and intolerance, not just for Jews, but for all people facing discrimination.
Now back in Edmonton, I share my experiences with younger students and encourage them to take part in the March of the Living. It’s not just about remembering the past. It’s about shaping the future. For students like me, the March of the Living is more than a trip, it is an awakening. It fosters historical awareness, strengthens cultural identity, and inspires a commitment to justice and remembrance. As the number of Holocaust survivors dwindles, it is up to our generation to ensure their stories and lessons live on. I have accepted that mission with pride and determination.
Thanks to a generous bursary from the H.A. and I.R. Friedman Scholarship Fund, administered by Edmonton Talmud Torah, my family was able to afford to send me on this life changing experience.
