On April 29th, 2003 nearly 200 Canadian Jewish high school students, half of whom are from Toronto, will be joining thousands of teens from around the world for an experience they're unlikely to forget.

On that date, March of the Living participants will walk the 3-kilometre distance separating Auschwitz and Birkenau, the largest concentration camp complex built by the Nazis.

The March of the Living is an international initiative, which is sponsored in Toronto by the UJA Federation Board of Jewish Education (BJE).

"We're moving forward in a positive fashion," says Baila Lubek, chair of the Toronto March. "We're anticipating a large number of participants on this emotional journey."

The 14-day trip, which leaves Canada on April 27 with a flight to Poland, culminates in Israel on May 7, where participants will celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut, the State's 55th Independence Day.

Marchers will have the unique opportunity to walk, side-by-side, with other teens, in silent tribute to the victims of the Holocaust and in memory of millions forced by the Nazis to cross Poland's terrain on the infamous "death marches".

"Just imagine," says Dr. Seymour Epstein, executive director of the BJE. "Spending Yom Hashoah at Auschwitz and identifying with the rich history of Jewish life in pre-war Poland, complemented by the flush of Yom Ha'atzmaut in Jerusalem. No Jew can remain indifferent to that unique juxtaposition of history and celebration."

For March of The Living 2001 participants, Torontonians Jared Gordon and Cori Donenfeld, the experience was life changing.

"It was just unbelievable," says Gordon, 18. "I came back with a deeper sense of what it means to be a Jew, and really, for all-things Jewish. I know it sounds cliched, but it (the March) makes you want the world to be a better place. People were anxious to return home, but only so they could put everything they learned into practice," adds Gordon.

"It changed me as a person," says 20-year-old Donenfeld. "It was almost surreal, bringing out so many feelings and emotions about who I was as a Jew, feelings I didn't even know I had. The March made me appreciate my friends and my family that much more – it made me appreciate life in general – even more."

For more information about the Toronto March of the Living 2003, please contact Jennifer Turack at jturack@ujafed.org or Joyce Rifkind at jrifkind@ujafed.org or by phone at (416) 635-2883 ext. 3238.