exciting update: construction begins on Brest-Litovsk Jewish cemetery memorial

We are thrilled to share a monumental update—construction has officially begun on the memorial at the site of the Brest-Litovsk Jewish Cemetery in Brest, Belarus! After more than 11 years of planning and dedication, we are seeing this project finally come to life.

In mid-October, machinery arrived at the site, and fencing is now being erected to mark the boundaries of the construction area. There is mounting activity, and our team is closely monitoring each stage of the process. Artur Livshyts, our Country Director based in Minsk, holds daily briefings with our Project Manager in Brest to ensure that every detail is executed with precision and care.

This memorial project holds profound significance. It will restore 1,249 salvaged gravestones—remnants that once stood in the Brest Jewish cemetery—back to the territory of the cemetery itself. The memorial will not only serve as a physical tribute to those gravestones but also as a narrative of the vibrant Jewish community that existed in Brest before World War II. This community was tragically annihilated by the German invaders and the Einsatzgruppen Death Squads, and the cemetery itself was erased from history.

With the construction now underway, we are one step closer to preserving this important piece of Jewish heritage, ensuring that the story of Brest’s Jewish community and their lost cemetery is remembered for generations to come.

We look forward to keeping you updated on this incredible project as it progresses. Thank you to everyone who has supported us in bringing this vital memorial to fruition.

For more information about the memorial, please click here

To make a donation to the Brest memorial project click here