Debra Brunner and Jack Baum in the shuk at Limmud 2025 Photo credit: The Together Plan
It is always a delight to take part in the annual Limmud Festival each December. Limmud inspires and empowers people to learn, lead, and build community, catalysing change that continually revitalises Jewish life in the UK.
From the moment you step across the threshold and leave the winter cold behind, you enter the distinctive “Limmud bubble” — a warm, vibrant space buzzing with energy. There is a constant flow of people heading to and from sessions, pausing to chat, grabbing a hot drink on the way, or studying the programme while trying to decide which of the many inspiring sessions to attend next.
One day during the festival is dedicated to organisations setting up stalls in the bustling shuk, which is always lively and attracts huge interest. The Together Plan was delighted to once again have a stand, with Debra Brunner and Jack Baum welcoming both old friends and new faces. Throughout the day, people stopped by to share personal stories, browse our books, learn more about our projects, and express interest in talks, volunteering, or researching family history through the Belarus archives.
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- Debra Brunner and Jack Baum in the shuk at Limmud 2025 Photo credit: The Together Plan
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- Debra Brunner presenting at Limmud 2025 Photo credit: Chloe Spinks
During the day, Debra Brunner also delivered a powerful and moving talk entitled From Reclaiming Stones to Reclaiming History: The Campaign for Brest’s Memorial and the Future of Holocaust Memory in Belarus. Debra shared the story of The Together Plan’s 12-year campaign in Brest, Belarus, which led to the rescue of 1,250 Jewish gravestones and the creation of a deeply meaningful memorial, ensuring this history is preserved for future generations.
Alongside their own commitments, Debra and Jack also found time to attend other sessions, always a highlight of Limmud, offering thought-provoking and stimulating insights from across the Jewish world.
We had an absolutely fabulous day at Limmud 2025 and look forward to following up with our new contacts, continuing the conversations sparked there, and doing it all again next year.
If you missed us at Limmud and would like to know more about the work of the charity, its projects, books, services and opportunities, please drop us a line [email protected]. We would love to hear from you