Leonid Tsryinsky Minsk April 2023
Letters, miracles and a good dose of Rabbi humour
As April brings the buds of spring and longer days, so we bring you some stories of hope which we believe will give a boost and prompt a few smiles. We are excited to share with you our news which this month focuses on the next generation, new beginnings for the return of lost traditions in Minsk and a most wonderful story of community support in the north London business community with the help of the Rabbis! We have some really fabulous events coming up including a pre-general release charity screening of GOLDA starring Helen Mirren. So be sure to book your tickets and help us with our fundraising efforts to breathe life into a new Jewish Cultural Heritage Centre in the heart of Minsk. Together we can!
The Together Plan is making real strides in the field of Jewish cultural heritage and Holocaust education and we are actively seeking sponsors for our exciting events and for our projects. For more information to find out how you can support please get in touch. We would love to tell you more.
Letters of hope
Hundreds of letters written by school students in the UK, have arrived in Minsk. Why were they written and what was the inspiration?
Click here to find out more
Matzah Miracles in Minsk
Minsk was once a thriving and vibrant Jewish centre in Europe and its history goes back centuries, but the practice of Matzah making in Minsk has long faded, until now.
Click here to find out more
Inspiring the next generation
At The Together Plan we are putting young people in the driving seat of learning to help them be at the forefront of social change.
Click here to find out how
52 weeks of Jewish humour
The little book of Rabbi jokes that raised the roof in under five minutes.
Click here to find out how
Gilbert’s Ghetto Guides
The experience of Jews in the area that is now Belarus has its rightful place in Sir Martin Gilbert’s histories of the Holocaust. As a feature of our monthly newsletter, a short excerpt from his writings is featured focusing on one of the cities, towns, villages, and forests where Jews tried desperately to escape the Nazi German murder machine.
Click here for this month’s guide – Episode 5 – Brest-Litovsk in maps
Belarus ancestry and archives - we can help
The Together Plan has been offering a fully bespoke, professional, archive research service for some years. Yet there has never been a more exciting time for people to connect to personal history – or for that history to have a greater impact on world knowledge!
Through our dedicated team of experienced archivists across Belarus, we have been astounded at the history we have been able to unearth over recent years, with an unparalleled richness of detail down to street names, livelihoods and even the animals people owned.
From the moment our team hears from new clients, we embark on a special journey together. With fragments of information about places, names and even buildings, we have been able to map back generations, providing a valuable glimpse into personal family history and all manner of information about daily life as it was.
To read the full article click here.
If you are looking to help to find records in the Belarus archives – we are ready to help you. Click here to find out how.
Upcoming events
‘Making History Together’ interactive travelling exhibition – in person event
Free event
Sunday 30th April 2023 from 2-5.30pm
Belmont United Synagogue , 101 Vernon Drive, Stanmore, HA7 2BW
What happened to the Jews of Belarus between 1941 and 1944? Who were the Jewish partisans? Come and explore some hidden history and the story of the Holocaust in the Soviet Union.
Click here to book to attend the exhibition (free entry)
Against All Odds – online event
(Raising funds for a new Jewish Cultural Heritage Centre in Minsk)
Sunday May 21st at midday PST, 3.00pm EST, 8.00pm BST 9.00pm Israel 10.00pm Belarus
Online talk by Susan Abrams (nee Abramowicz) Bach (North Carolina)
Determination to survive against all odds is the theme of the true experiences of Joseph and Chaim Abramowitz. After suffering the loss of their families, each in his own way managed to escape from the ghetto in Novogrudok, Poland and join the fight against the Nazis.
Click here to book for Against All Odds
‘Making History Together’ interactive travelling exhibition and a talk by Debra Brunner – in person event
Sunday 18th June 2023 from 6.30pm, speaker at 8pm
Finchley Synagogue, Kinloss Gardens, London N3 3DU
What happened to the Jews of Belarus between 1941 and 1944? Who were the Jewish partisans? Come and explore hidden history and the story of the Holocaust in the Soviet Union.
Click here to book to attend the exhibition (free entry)
Finchley United Synagogue: Kinloss.
GOLDA
Starring Helen Mirren
Sunday June 25th 5pm
Pre-general release charity screening with a special introduction by the producer Michael Kuhn.
Phoenix Cinema, East Finchley
Watch the trailer here.
Booking goes live 3rd May!
Antiques, Booze and Shmooze (in-person event)
Wine and canapes reception
(Raising funds in support of community projects at the Polotsk Jewish Community in the north of Belarus)
Sunday 9th July 7.30pm Finchley Reform Synagogue, 101 Fallowcourt Avenue, North Finchley N12 0BE
Join us for a fun and fascinating evening with the jovial Jonathan Myers, who will be regaling us with his expertise and antiques anecdotes, and auctioning some wonderful and curious artefacts.
Jonathan is one of London’s famous black taxi drivers. He started buying and selling antiques about 15 years ago and completed a two year course at the Hampstead Institute on identifying and understanding antiques. He has also completed a 3 year watchmakers course dealing with antique and vintage watches.
You are welcome to bring along your own antiques for a free valuation – maximum of 2 items per person.
Click here to book tickets
SAVE THE DATE
TTP Soccerthon – football tournament family fun day
five-aside 3 touch football tournament at the Harefield Academy, Uxbridge!
September 10th
Get ready to get your teams activated!!