March of the Living, an annual Holocaust education program that takes students from around the world, including Harrisburg to Poland and Israel, has been postponed due to global spread of coronavirus, organizers said on March 8.

This year’s March was to take place on April 21. Each year, more than 10,000 Jewish and non-Jewish youth from 40 countries participate in the March, with Harrisburg students joining Holocaust survivors and other VIPs from around the globe.

Instead, the organization will launch a campaign encouraging youth across the world to combat anti-Semitism and racism under the slogan, “Never Means Never.”

 “Our educational message, especially in the face of rising antisemitism, will be communicated by other means this year. Even if we are not able to be in Poland, we remain thoroughly committed to our values and our historic role,” said Dr. Shmuel Rosenman, March of the Living World Chair.

March of the Living organizers are exploring educational alternatives, in which communities across the world would be able to participate in such a campaign. In addition, plans for re-scheduling the march in Poland later this year are underway, with informed consideration to global health conditions and community needs.

“Although we are disappointed, we understand the precarious situation the world is in right now,” said Sally Jo Bronner, Director of SABABA and Harrisburg’s March of the Living contingent. “Hopefully, we will have another opportunity to participate in the March.”