celebrating volunteers at the Jewish Volunteer Network Awards

On Sunday 11 January, more than 350 people gathered at the beautiful Grove Hotel in Chandlers Cross, Hertfordshire, for the annual Jewish Volunteer Network (JVN) Awards. This extraordinary event provides a vital opportunity for charities from across the country to recognise and celebrate the dedication, commitment, and impact of their volunteers.

The ceremony featured an impressive and distinguished line-up of speakers and presenters, including Dame Maureen Lipman, Robert Voss, Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire and the King’s representative, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, and Rabbi Josh Levy, Co-Lead of Progressive Judaism. Their presence underscored the importance of volunteering within the Jewish community and beyond.

Volunteers are truly the lifeblood of any charity, yet their contributions are often undervalued or go unnoticed. JVN itself is a charity that deserves special recognition for the vital role it plays in supporting the sector. Its small but highly dedicated team is a genuine tour de force, and we at The Together Plan are deeply grateful for their work. Without JVN, much of what we do would simply not be possible; they have helped us recruit many of our wonderful volunteers, who are integral to our success.

This year, The Together Plan’s Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Gillian Gruder, our Archive Services Manager. Gillian has been part of the Archive Services team since its inception in 2020. During the first COVID-19 lockdown, we took our initial steps towards helping people trace ancestral records in the Belarusian archives. What began as a small idea has since developed into a robust and highly professional service, supported by an international volunteer team working alongside our colleagues in Belarus.

Gillian has played a central role in shaping and strengthening this service. Her commitment, expertise, and generosity with her time have been invaluable. She continuously supports the team, helps refine processes, and ensures that we are always striving to improve every aspect of our work.

To mark the occasion, we invited just some of our volunteers and team members to share reflections on their roles at The Together Plan.

Gillian Gruder, London

Archive Services Manager

What attracted you to apply for your volunteer role with The Together Plan?
The Together Plan is a small but fascinating charity. The role I applied for — and still hold — perfectly matched the skills I developed during my previous employment, where I worked for a small charity for 20 years. It felt like a perfect fit.

What do you love about working with The Together Plan?
There is a real sense that everyone is working together towards a shared goal. Volunteers are incredibly supportive of one another, and the CEO always ensures that we are well guided and supported. You never feel alone, and it is deeply rewarding to know that we are providing a service that no other charity offers. Helping people uncover their family history in Belarus is something truly special.

What successes have you seen and felt you have contributed to?
During COVID, I moved from Events into Archive Services, at a time when the service was very small. Over the past five years, it has grown exponentially. We now have over 100 active family research cases and a substantial waiting list. I feel proud to have made a significant contribution to the service’s success.

Vasily Zaitsau, Minsk

What attracted you to apply for your volunteer role with The Together Plan?
I was drawn to projects with strong historical content and context, as well as the fact that The Together Plan is an international organisation.

What do you love about working with The Together Plan?
I value the constant learning and discovery. Living in Belarus, I also have the opportunity to develop my language skills and connect with people from around the world. For example, I never imagined that working in genealogy would lead me to connect with another basketball fan living in Boston!

What successes have you seen and felt you have contributed to?
Among the organisation’s many achievements, the Brest Lapidarium, opened in 2025, stands out for its exceptional significance. Seeing people of all generations — families, young people, and elderly residents — visit this sacred space and engage with the stories behind the “unusual stones” demonstrates its profound impact. History, like a powerful book, is not just information; it is emotion. This project brings history vividly to life.

Sonya Shaipak, Minsk

What attracted you to apply for your volunteer role with The Together Plan?
My journey with The Together Plan began five years ago after learning about its inspiring work through friends who were already involved. I have always been deeply interested in Belarusian history and culture and knew that the Jewish community played a vital role in shaping our country. What surprised me was just how deeply Jewish history is embedded in everyday life — almost every building in Minsk has a Jewish story connected to it.

The Together Plan’s international collaboration, professional standards, and warm, supportive team culture encouraged me to apply. From the outset, it was clear that this organisation is driven by genuine care and shared purpose.

What do you love about working with The Together Plan?
Every day, I discover powerful and often unknown stories that deepen my understanding of Belarus’s complex past. Meeting former prisoners of the Minsk Ghetto, historians, artists, and researchers is incredibly meaningful. I particularly value working with local communities and seeing their gratitude as Jewish history and life are recognised and honoured.

What successes have you seen and felt you have contributed to?
Whether large or small, every project is approached with dedication and teamwork. From launching audio tours and unveiling Belarus’s first Lapidarium to creating the Holocaust education programme Making History Together, each achievement reflects what we can accomplish collectively. For me, our greatest success is our team — small in size, but united, committed, and deeply connected by a shared mission.

Carl Kaplan, Boston

What attracted you to apply for your volunteer role with The Together Plan?
I was initially invited by The Together Plan. I accepted because of the outstanding work the charity had already done for me as a client researching my family history in the Belarusian archives.

What do you love about working with The Together Plan?
The people. It is essential to feel that your input is valued and listened to, and that is very much the case here.

What successes have you seen and felt you have contributed to?
While some searches inevitably lead to dead ends due to missing records, many clients are thrilled to discover lost family connections or details they thought were impossible to find. Recently, one client wrote to say they were “overjoyed” by what we uncovered. Moments like that make the work incredibly rewarding.

We are delighted to share that The Together Plan will be featured in Jewish News as part of a special supplement on 29 January 2026, celebrating charities and the people who dedicate their time and careers to making a meaningful difference.

If you would be interested in volunteering with The Together Plan, please contact us at [email protected] or explore our current opportunities on our website here.

To read the article in the Jewish Chronicle click here