Smaller gravestone piece being paid on the wall to start the laying of the mosaic
We are thrilled to bring you the latest and most exciting update on The Together Plan’s flagship project — the Brest Jewish Cemetery Memorial in Belarus — as we enter the final stretch toward completion.
Since 2013, The Together Plan has been dedicated to reclaiming the memory and dignity of Brest’s lost Jewish cemetery. What began as an effort to rescue gravestone fragments — many found scattered, buried, or used as paving stones — has now evolved into a historic, ground-breaking memorial that will stand as the first of its kind in Eastern Europe.
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- Smaller gravestone piece being paid on the wall to start the laying of the mosaic
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- Embrace wall with the small fragments on top
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- Mosaic of gravestone fragments being laid out
coming home: the gravestones return
On April 24th, a profoundly symbolic moment took place. The salvaged gravestone remnants — all that remains of Brest’s once-vast Jewish cemetery — came out of storage and, in a sense, came home. These stones, silent witnesses to a destroyed community, will form the emotional and visual centrepiece of the memorial. They represent survival, resilience, and memory, and they are precious beyond words. Click here to read the article and watch the video of this historic moment.
Since that day, the site has been transformed. The central mound where the gravestones will stand has been carefully shaped. Sandstone pathways within embrace walls (each one being 85 metres long) have been laid, and the approach paths from surrounding roads are now complete. The smallest gravestone fragments are now being laid as mosaics along the tops of the walls, and will be permanently fixed in place. In June, the larger stones will be installed on the central mound, bringing the heart of the memorial to life.
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- Sandstone pathway approach to the memorial
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- Pathways and central mound
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- Embrace wall, sandstone pathway and central mound which will be seeded with grass
marking a historic date
We are working towards an official opening on July 28th, a date of deep historical meaning. It marks both the liberation of Brest from Nazi occupation in 1944 and the grim moment under Soviet rule when the decision was made to build a sports stadium over the Jewish cemetery grounds.
This memorial reclaims and sanctifies that space. It tells the story of the approximately 26,000 Jewish residents of Brest who were annihilated by the Nazis between 1941 and 1943 and of the generations who came before them, whose lives, traditions, and memories were buried under layers of destruction.
Stepping Out Together: A Global Walkathon
Our fundraising efforts over the years have been truly inspiring. Thanks to supporters like you, a successful 2024 crowdfunding campaign allowed us to begin construction, based on the extraordinary design by U.S.-based landscape artist Brad J. Goldberg.
However, rising material costs and global supply challenges have impacted our budget. That’s why we’ve launched one final push — a global walkathon called Stepping Out Together — to raise the last funds needed to complete the memorial.
On June 8th, supporters worldwide will lace up their shoes to help us reach the finish line. Among them:
The Together Plan’s CEO, Debra Brunner, will be power-walking a full marathon (26.2 miles!) through London.
♂️♀️ In Minsk, our team will be walking in Brest itself, ending their walk at the site of the memorial.
As they walk, both teams will be posting photos and updates of Jewish heritage sites along their routes to our social media channels — follow along on Facebook and Instagram to experience this inspiring journey in real time!
North London business champions step up
Debra is also a proud member of BNI Chipping, a North London business network that played a major role in last year’s crowdfunding success — famously keeping an exercise bike pedalling non-stop for 36 hours to help raise funds.
Now, several BNI Chipping members are literally stepping up again to walk alongside Debra on June 8th, helping push the campaign over the line. We are thrilled to recognise these incredible charity champions:
⭐ Emma Phillips of Houseman Properties
⭐ Josh Leitner of Evertex Linen Hire
⭐ Marcelo Navarro of Walfinch In-Home Care
⭐ Alfie Grace of Projekt Rising AI Solutions
⭐ Suzanne Purton of Athletic Development Club Personal Training
⭐ George Ttouli of Burlington Wealth Management
Many other BNI Chipping members who are not walking are generously sponsoring their colleagues — you can see the full list of supporters on this page here. They are all playing a vital part in helping us hit our fundraising goal.
help us cross the finish line
You can sponsor a walker – just click below:
- The Together Plan’s campaign page (UK & global supporters)
- The Jewish Tapestry Project’s campaign page (for USA supporters)
Every single donation — no matter how big or small — will help us bring this extraordinary memorial to completion. Together, we are not just building a structure; we are restoring memory, reclaiming dignity, and making history.
Thank you for walking with us. Let’s take this final step together.
Follow the walk on June 8th on our Facebook and Instagram channels!
Sponsor a walker or donate (links above)
Join us on June 10th in London for the reception and antiques auction — don’t miss it! Click here to book.
We are almost there — let’s make history together.
If you are interested in attending the opening of the memorial in Brest on July 28th please get in touch: [email protected] for more information.