identity and destiny – one Rabbi’s path

By Neil Adams, Research & Publications Volunteer

On 10th March 2026 the Together Plan broke new ground yet again with a truly international hybrid discussion with a prestigious guest speaker in the USA, a live audience at the Minsk Jewish Heritage Centre and a Zoom audience from all over the world! The guest speaker was Rabbi Howard Shub-Hillel Meyer ben Ya’akov v’Bayle, a first-generation Canadian Jew, now based in Florida, with deep Belarusian roots and an incredible life story. 

The event was bilingual in English and Russian in the style of an open conversation rather than a formal lecture and there was plenty of time for questions, answers and discussion. The title and focus of the talk reminded me very much of a wonderful book I have just read ‘Letters to My Father‘ by Kathleen Balgley, a friend of the Together Plan who travelled to Belarus last summer for the opening of ‘Memory Embrace’ the memorial on the territory of the Brest Jewish cemetery. Kathy’s book is an exploration of her Eastern European Jewish identity and what it actually means to be an Eastern European Jew. In very much the same way, this presentation on March 10th, was a journey of heritage and demonstrated the power of connection.

Rabbi Shub’s maternal grandparents came from Poland in the early 1900s; his paternal grandparents came from what is Mogilev in modern day Eastern Belarus. Raised in a traditional Jewish home where Yiddish was spoken as easily as English, his Jewish identity was nurtured from an early age through family, school, and a Labour Zionist summer camp.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Yeshiva University in New York and later completed an M.A. in Contemporary Jewish Studies, specialising in modern Jewish history, at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. After several years in Israel, he spent five years in Australia; first as Hillel Director in Melbourne, and then in an unexpected role as a probation and parole officer working in a maximum security prison. A very different role! 

On returning to North America, Rabbi Howard pursued his true calling and was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York in 1988. For nearly 40 years, he served as a congregational rabbi, retiring in June 2023, only to return to a part-time pulpit and, most recently, as interim rabbi of the synagogue where he served for 23 years. He continues to teach Jewish topics across Florida and serves as mashgiach (kosher supervisor) at the only kosher deli in the area.

During the event a number of important points were raised. Rabbi Shub  emphasised the vital importance of understanding the significance of Jewish history and heritage in Eastern Europe,  something I have personally quickly come to realise in my short volunteer career with the Together Plan. He also emphasised the importance of focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us, which I felt was an important message. 

The complexities of being Jewish in modern day Belarus (and elsewhere) were discussed in terms of antisemitism, food, cultural facilities and religious life and the Rabbi who has never visited Belarus was fascinated and anxious to learn more. The enthusiastic participation of 46 members of the local Jewish community at the Jewish Heritage Centre in Minsk really contributed to the success of this unique event. As the floor was opened for people to ask questions of Rabbi Shub, either from the Zoom room or from the gathering in Minsk, the first question came from a lady sitting in the heritage centre in Minsk. Eleanora stood up and spoke to the screen where she could see Rabbi Shub and told him that she had the ‘Shub’ name in her own family and that she was from Mogilev. This forged a palpable moment of connectivity and demonstrated the emotional power of shared heritage and being one big Jewish family.

Rabbi Shub stressed his deep desire to visit Belarus. He emphasised his hope that this will be the start of a lifelong conversation between the remaining Jewish communities in Belarus and the Jewish diaspora who have Eastern European roots and this message was enthusiastically received! His strong assertion that wherever you are in the world and whichever ‘flavour’ of Judaism you follow, we are all family was a really powerful message even for a gentile like me. 

There are currently approximately 14,000 Jews in Belarus (based on official numbers, although it is believed to be much higher in reality) and only two synagogue buildings in Minsk, one Orthodox and one Chasidic. Despite the decimation of the Jewish population in the Shoah Rabbi Shub opts for an optimistic approach saying that out of a spark you can get a fire, very much reflecting the determination of The Together Plan in partnership with its USA sister non-profit Jewish Tapestry Project, to help to restore Jewish heritage and support Jewish communities in the country. He is also a realist acknowledging the difficulties of being 100% observant, and stated that all Jews can do is their best depending on where they live and given their own personal circumstances. 

Asked by one of the Minsk participants if his views on the Torah had changed over the years, he said decisively yes in the sense that they have evolved, although this has in no way diminished his belief or love for the Torah, he just looks at it differently now after decades of reflection. 

A truly inspiring talk and discussion led by a truly inspiring man with an incredible story. The talk summed up some of the Together Plan’s key values in terms of connecting people and unleashing these stories, many of which have been hidden for so long. I am personally very much looking forward to more of these fascinating and moving events. Watch this space!

To watch the recording of this event – click here

To read Neil’s February article – click here

[email protected] 

Please consider supporting The Together Plan by clicking here