light in the shadows – reconnecting Jewish Identity in post-Soviet Belarus

In a world where Israel is deeply victimised, and where antisemitism is once again rising to alarming levels across the globe, it is more vital than ever that we at The Together Plan remain steadfast in our mission. Our work in post-Soviet Belarus, helping Jewish people reconnect with their lost heritage and identity, and sharing the little-known story of Jewish suffering during and after the Holocaust in Soviet lands is not simply about the past. It is about ensuring that this part of the Jewish narrative is never forgotten, that memory fuels understanding, and that identity endures in the face of silence and erasure. We cannot lose sight of this mission. It is a vital thread in the fabric of the Jewish people’s story.

During the festival of Sukkot, the Jewish Religious Union, our partner organisation in Belarus, hosted a deeply moving cultural event at the Minsk Heritage Centre, based in the historic Daumana Street Synagogue.

Under the gentle shelter of the community sukkah, Rabbi Michael Volokhov led an inspiring gathering, sharing the origins and symbolism of Sukkot, a festival that reminds us of the Israelites’ journey through the desert and the fragile dwellings that sheltered them. He spoke of the lulav and etrog, of ritual and renewal, and of the spiritual depth found in stepping briefly away from permanence to dwell, if only for a few days, beneath the open sky.

For many in Belarus who are taking their first steps toward reconnecting with Jewish heritage in a post-Soviet landscape, moments like this are profoundly meaningful. It is part of The Together Plan’s mission to make such experiences possible, to open doors for people to rediscover the identity and tradition that were silenced for so many years.

The celebration continued with a kosher reception and an exhibition of exquisite works by Mikhail Shavelzon’s Workshop, featuring art crafted from marble, precious stones, and gold. Shavelzon shared the personal story behind his collection, inspired by childhood memories of Minsk’s Cold Synagogue, once one of the city’s oldest, built in 1570 and tragically demolished in 1965.

Each piece in his exhibition echoed that vanished synagogue: its arches and Romanesque lines, the rhythm of its worship, the pulse of a community long dispersed. The craftsmanship is extraordinary; colour, texture, and form weaving together to rekindle the memory of a sacred space almost lost to time.

The evening concluded with a lively Q&A, as guests asked about Shavelzon’s artistic techniques, his symbolism, and the connections between his work and the themes of Sukkot. The atmosphere was warm, inquisitive, and filled with reverence for a shared past.

Among those attending were members and volunteers of the Jewish Religious Union, Minsk’s Jewish community, former prisoners of the Minsk Ghetto, and representatives from the British Embassy and the newly arrived German Ambassador.

This Sukkot celebration was far more than a festival, it was a living expression of continuity.
An affirmation that Jewish life, art, and memory endure. In a place where so much has been lost, gatherings like this nurture the roots that still run deep, offering strength, connection, and hope. They remind us that even after silence, heritage speaks again:

we remember,
we rebuild,
and we endure.

Please help us to continue our work preserving Jewish history, heritage and identity by donating today using this link or if you are in the USA please use this link. Everything we do is because of your continued support.