About us

History of the March of Life:

The March of Life is an initiative by Jobst and Charlotte Bittner and TOS Ministries from Tübingen, Germany. Together with descendants of German Wehrmacht soldiers and members of the SS and police force, they have organized memorial and reconciliation marches at sites of the Holocaust all over Europe. Since the beginning of this movement in 2007, marches have been held in 20 nations and in more than 400 cities in cooperation with Christians from different churches and denominations, as well as from many Jewish communities.

Although the March of Life in each country has its own name and touch – “March of Remembrance” in the U.S., “Marcha de La Vida” in Latin America, and “Marsz Życia” in Poland – the message remains the same. It was the indifferent silence of the majority that made the Holocaust possible. An indifference that, even today, paves the way for antisemitism and xenophobia.

 

The message of the March of Life stands for:

  • Remembering
    Working through the past, giving survivors of the Holocaust a voice.
  • Reconciliation
    Healing and restoration between descendants of the victims and perpetrators.
  • Taking a stand
    For Israel and against modern antisemitism.

The March of Life combines the personal working through the past with a public voice against today’s antisemitism and taking a stand for friendship with Israel.

Areas of activity

  • Marches of Life worldwide
  • March of the Nations in Israel
  • March of Life House in Caesarea, Israel
  • Volunteer program in cooperation with ADI
  • Youth Exchange Programs
  • Working through the Family’s Past
  • Hanukkah Days Tübingen (Jewish-Christian Cultural Program)
  • Courses and seminars