Three Jewish young women from Edmonton—Leah Campbell, and sisters Abby, and Zoe Wright—experienced March of the Living this past spring with a different lens after seeing the impact of October 7 attack on Israel. For Leah, Abby, and Zoe, this marked their first participation in the program, and the timing added a profound layer of significance. 

March of the Living is an annual educational journey where thousands of Jewish teens and adults from around the world travel together to Poland and Israel. As university students confronting challenges and insecurity from widespread pro-Palestinian demonstrations on Canadian campuses, Leah and Abby found new strength and support through their participation in the March of the Living. Meanwhile, Zoe gained a greater understanding of the value in investing in and supporting the Jewish community. 

The motivations behind embarking on the March of the Living journey 

Leah had always known that one day she would walk the path of her ancestors, a path marked by both unimaginable horror and unyielding strength. As a great-granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, the March of the Living was more than just a trip; it was a pilgrimage to honour her family’s legacy and bear witness to the atrocities they endured. The stories her brother, Nathan Campbell, shared from his own journey had only solidified her resolve to participate. 

Meanwhile, Abby and Zoe embarked on the journey with their father and grandfather. The presence of three generations marching together made their experience uniquely special. 

“The Holocaust is a huge part of our history,” Abby reflects. “It gives a lot of insight into the antisemitism we face today, so going on the trip just felt important to gain a better understanding and see where things originated.” This journey was not only about remembrance but also about understanding the roots of the prejudice Abby and Zoe still encountered. 

Connecting with the global Jewish community 

Leah found that one of the most rewarding aspects of the trip was connecting with the international Jewish community. “It was so great to be united with different people across Canada from all the universities. Especially since it was so hard to be on campus this past year and with the protests. It was so nice to have a group of people that we can talk and share our experiences and relate with,” she says. 

This sense of community has lasted beyond the trip itself; Leah and her fellow participants continue to help each other. “We keep in contact to this day; we always wish each other Shabbat Shalom in our group chat. It’s having that nurturing network and the community that you can always go back to,” adds Leah. 

For Zoe, the March of the Living highlighted the significance of maintaining and strengthening the Jewish community. “It made me realize how important our community is. If you don't put in the work for the community, it might go away. You must sacrifice for and help your community and neighbours,” she says. 

Zoe's experience emphasized the need to invest in the Jewish community, both locally and globally. “You never know what's going to happen with the outside world, but you know that your Jewish community will always be there for you. So, I think the trip made me feel closer, not just to my community at home, but to the overall global Jewish community.” 

Empowered to advocate for herself 

“Before I went on the trip, I felt really beaten down. I didn't have it in me to be vocal or stand up for what I needed to stand up for, mainly out of fear. But after going on this trip, it really gave me the strength to see what's going on and say, 'No, this isn't going to happen again',” says Abby. 

She was inspired by the Holocaust survivors and her peers. “Being able to be with these survivors and people my age, having so much support from both, was really empowering.”