hmTv at HMTC Podcasts Ep 307: Disrupting Hate with Kenneth Schachter and guest Joel Katz on hmTv
Ep. 307: Disrupting Hate with Kenneth Schachter and guest Joel Katz on hmTv
In this powerful episode of Disrupting Hate, host Kenneth Schachter sits down with Joel Katz, Northeast Regional Director of the March of the Living, to explore how this transformative journey keeps the memory of the Holocaust alive and strengthens Jewish identity across generations.
Joel shares the remarkable story of the March — from its beginnings in 1988 to its global reach today, uniting thousands of students from over 50 countries who walk together from Auschwitz to Birkenau on Yom HaShoah, then travel to Israel to celebrate life, renewal, and hope.
He reflects on walking beside Holocaust survivors, the emotional weight of visiting preserved concentration camps, and the profound lessons of remembrance and resilience that each participant carries home.
Through personal anecdotes — including his father’s role as a U.S. liberator and his own 26 years of leading groups — Joel reminds us that bearing witness is not a one-time act, but a lifelong responsibility.
Episode Highlights:
- The origins and mission of the March of the Living
- The emotional journey from Poland to Israel
- The role of survivors and second-generation participants
- How remembrance can counter hate and inspire hope
A moving conversation about memory, identity, and action — proving that education and empathy remain our strongest tools in disrupting hate.
Learn more or get involved: motl.org