a call for support as the Jewish holidays approach

As the Jewish holidays draw near, we enter a time of reflection, connection, and renewed commitment to our shared values. This sacred season calls upon us to embrace the principles of tzedakah (charitable giving) and tikkun olam (repairing the world), reminding us of our responsibility to care for one another and the world around us. Each of us, in our own way, has the power to make a difference—whether large or small—in the lives of others.

At The Together Plan, we are deeply committed to this mission. Our focus is on fostering sustainable collaborations and building communities through the preservation and promotion of Jewish cultural heritage in Eastern Europe. Our current work centres on Jewish Belarus, where we are building a living heritage archive to preserve Jewish memory, history, and stories for generations to come.

Our vision is bold: We strive for global recognition of Belarus’s 700 years of Jewish history. We seek to empower Belarusian Jews and non-Jews alike to engage in citizen-led projects that bring this history to light. We aim for Jews in the Belarusian diaspora to feel valued and connected to their roots, and we are committed to making this rich, yet often underexplored history accessible to all.

 

In October 2023, The Together Plan marked a decade since the opening of the charity, and in the last twelve months alone:

• We published Anna Machiz: Testimonies of Tragedy and Resistance in the Minsk Ghetto 1941-1943.
• We supported the renovation of the Daumana Street Synagogue in Minsk, opening the Minsk Jewish Heritage Centre.
• We supported the coming together of 17 Jewish communities in Belarus.
• Our campaign for the Brest-Litovsk Jewish Cemetery Memorial gained international media attention, featuring in outlets like CNN, Jewish News, JTA, and The Forward.
• Our CEO, Debra Brunner, was interviewed on BBC Radio Newcastle – click here.
• Our Making History Together exhibition was featured in Newcastle City Council’s Holocaust Memorial Day programme.
• Catherine McKinnell, Member of Parliament for Newcastle North, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Antisemitism spoke virtually at The Together Plan’s commemorative event to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on the theme of ‘Fragility of Freedom’ – Bewick Hall, Newcastle City Library 20th January 2024 – click here.
• We ran a successful and compelling international crowdfunding campaign in support of the Brest-Litovsk Jewish Cemetery Memorial – click here.
• We completed the first phase of our Holocaust education pilot programme at Yavneh College in Borehamwood.
• This autumn, construction of the Brest-Litovsk cemetery memorial will begin, a landmark project for Jewish cultural preservation in Belarus. Click here for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At a time when the world feels increasingly fragile and uncertain, The Together Plan remains dedicated to supporting Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. We work in a complex and challenging region, preserving hidden histories and connecting people with their heritage.

But we cannot do this work alone. We need your support to continue making a real and lasting difference in the lives of people in Belarus and beyond.

Your generosity will enable us to:

• Support isolated and vulnerable Jewish communities.
• Preserve vital heritage sites and distribute humanitarian aid, packed with love by our UK-based volunteers.
• Expand our Holocaust education programme, shining a light on the hidden stories of Jewish life under Soviet rule.
• Help people across the globe connect with their ancestral records in Belarusian archives.
• Develop the Belarus Jewish Cultural Heritage Trail, a project that amplifies local voices and preserves cultural legacies.

The Together Plan is a truly unique charity, powered by volunteers from around the world, including the USA, Israel, Canada, Greece, the UK, and beyond. With your partnership, we can continue this vital work, keeping Jewish history alive, connecting communities, and helping those in need.

Your support makes all the difference. Together, we can create a brighter, more connected future.

Thank you for being part of our journey and thank you for helping us to reach this point. Wishing you a meaningful and joyous holiday season.

Together, we can make a real difference!

 

To make your donation please click here

If you are in the USA, you will be able to make a tax-deductible gift via our USA partner 501(C)3 Jewish Tapestry Project. All the information is in the link above.