The annual “March of Living” is held every in North Macedonia in March as a commemoration of the Holocaust of Balkan Jewry. As every year, Dr. Rachel Levy Drummer, the founder of the initiative and president of the Heritage of the Jewish community Bitola Monastir, led the 2024 Israeli delegation with over forty members from diverse backgrounds. Members of the group included delegates of second and third-generation Macedonian and Balkan descent; representatives from the villages within the Gaza envelope; Rabbi Yizhak Shapira with a group of students-musicians with disabilities, from the Department of Music at Bar Ilan University; students representing the Arab sector; formal representatives including Ambassador Dan Orian, head of the department of Civic Society at the ministry of foreign affairs, and Mr. Uri Buskila, deputy mayor of Bat Yam, who additionally served as cantor in all the ceremonies and public prayers. The delegation was supported by the HJBM NGO, “Netaim” Organization, “AKIM Israel” and “Dangoor Center”.
Israeli 2024 delegation participants
Israel’s delegation, along with a delegation from the European Jewish communities, and the German ambassador who headed a delegation from Germany, visited the ancient Jewish cemetery of Bitola where a special traditional ceremony and prayers were conducted. An official reception followed, hosted by the Mayor of Bitola. On the “March of the Living” walk, a delegation of esteemed officials headed the delegates, including the Mayor of Bitola, the Minister of Culture of N Macedonia, the Director of the “Dr. Haim Abarbanel Hospital” and local officials. Participants marched along the streets of Bitola to the city’s train station from which the Jewish community was transported to Auschwitz during World War II.
In Skopja, the Israeli delegation participated in a memorial ceremony at the tobacco factory Monopole, which was hosted by Prof. Stevo Pendarovski, the President of the Republic of North Macedonia, the Prime Minister, the Israeli Ambassador, several European Ambassadors, delegation members, and guests attended. Following the ceremony, the Israeli delegation was invited to a reception and gathering with the Jewish community.
During the visit to North Macedonia, Mr. Filip Tosevski, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the Israeli delegation. Later, in the presence of the President of North Macedonia, the delegation watched the impactful film “The Monopole” and toured the Holocaust Museum in Skopje. The Israeli delegation also visited the Bitola Archive under the guidance of its director, Mr. Goce Stojanovski.
We are deeply grateful to all organizers and supporters for their support, initiatives, and dedication. These have been crucial in the realization of this meaningful project and preserving the memory of the Balkan Jewry
Dr. Rachel Levy Drummer
Special delegation members who participated in the ceremonies, seminars, and prayers included:
▪ Dr. Rachel Levi Drummer, Head of Delegation
▪ Dr. Joel Rappel who has been leading the annual weekend seminar.
▪ Mr. Uri Buskila, Deputy Mayor of the city Bat-Yam, Twin city of Bitola, who led the religious ceremonial prayers.
▪ Mrs. Ruth Reinich, the director of the Music Equality program “Kelim Shluvim” at Bar Ilan University, supported by Akim-Israel and the Israeli Ministry of Welfare.
▪ Mrs. Moran Hagbi, representative of the Gaza envelope villiges and member of the Board of NETAIM. Mrs. Hagbi shared in interviews and discussions the horrors of the 7.10.2024 events.
▪ Mr. Rifat Swidan, a Ph.D. candidate and the Rector’s advisor for Arab and Muslim population sector at Bar Ilan University.
▪ Mr. Yossi Solominis, tour guide and representative of the second and third generation Jewish community of N. Macedonia.
▪ Dr. Rivka Rosenberg, lecturer at Lewinsky- Wingate College of Education, Tel Aviv.
We are deeply grateful to all organizers and supporters for their support, initiatives, and dedication. These have been crucial in the realization of this meaningful project and preserving the memory of the Balkan Jewry
Dr. Rachel Levy Drummer
Special gratitude to N. Macedonia Ambassador in Israel, Shpend Sadiku, to Pepo Levy and the entire Macedonian Jewish community EZRM for the organization of all the commemorative events. Special gratitude to the Ministry of Interior of N. Macedonia for the security arrangements, throughout the entire visit. This ensured the safety of every member of our delegation. We were all welcomed with warmth, kindness, and empathy by North Macedonia’s officials and people. We hope that your welcoming support will strengthen the relations between our two countries and peoples.”
