Day 14 - Conclusions: Alex Cohen & Tali Kadish

Alex Cohen

Dzion dobre, shalom. 

How do I fathom to try put into words to try and help you to understand how life changing this experience was to me and to the rest of the group? As I sit on the airplane I look back at Poland, it seems so far away, however it also seems like yesterday. I remember the emotions that puzzled me, the camps which angered me and the family that comforted me. Yes, family. We are not just a group of 16/17 year olds, that could call each other friends. We are a group of 16/17 year olds who have had each other's backs each step of the way, who have comforted one another, who have been a family. And for that, I am so grateful.

​And then I reflect on the past week, in Israel, which made me understand why Israel is so important to the Jewish nation and why we need to fight for our home land. It showed me that every person has a different perspective and it reminded me that Hitler did not succeed. Last night, we sat in a circle of teenagers who's lives have changed. The shy, became comfortable enough to speak, the loud, were over come by silence, everyone expressed themselves. Although I am going home more confused then ever, scared and anxious, I know that there are another 32 people my age feeling the same and I know that the other 32 people will have a very special place in my heart forever. 

Tali Kadish

Tonight was our official closing ceremony of March of the living. Everyone was encouraged to say a few words about the journey they had just traveled and experience they had just gained. Lost for words we all tried our best to portray the way we all were feeling. Unable to explain this truly indescribable experience , every single one of us brought up the same key point. We traveled this journey as a FAMILY. We felt connected and unified through this completely phenomenal and life changing experience. As they say , we began this journey as friends as crossed the finishing line as a family.