
resilience, remembrance and impact
As we step into 2025, we take a moment to reflect on history, community, and the importance of remembrance and resilience. This month marks 80 years since the end of World War II, and in our first article, we delve into the complexities of this chapter, exploring how the war shaped Western Europe while in the former Soviet Union the silenced Jewish experience is yet to be fully understood. We also bring you an update on the historic Brest-Litovsk Jewish cemetery memorial and share details of our final fundraising push to complete this meaningful project. Additionally, we celebrate the dedication of our volunteers, including a special nominee at the JVN Awards, shine a light on the incredible kindness behind our humanitarian aid efforts, and highlight the transformative impact of legacy giving. Finally, we bring you a poignant family story of Holocaust survival in Soviet Belarus, reminding us why our work matters. There is so much to inspire and unite us in this issue – thank you for being part of the journey!
All the best
The Together Plan Team
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- February 25th – Film Screening of ‘The Commandant’s Shadow’ and Q&A with Daniela Volker, Producer-Director; Wendy Robbins, Executive Producer (and FRS member); and Maya Lasker-Wallfisch, author and educator specialising in transgenerational trauma and protagonist in the film (in person event)
- March 25th – Book talk with author Jon Silverman about his book ‘Safe Haven’ (in person event)
- May 11th – Quiz night – SAVE THE DATE (in person event)
- June 8th – Stepping Out Together: The Great Big Walkathon – participate from wherever you are in the world – click here to register
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80 years on - the untold Jewish experience in the Soviet Union
As 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, we reflect on a pivotal chapter of human history. For much of Western Europe, the war’s conclusion is remembered as a victory over tyranny and genocide. Yet, in the Soviet Union, the narrative diverges. Known as the Great Patriotic War, it was a fight not just against the Nazis but for the survival of the motherland itself. While this history is celebrated with solemnity, the Jewish experience during the war and its aftermath remains shadowed by deliberate silencing and systemic oppression.

a historic memorial: final push for the Brest-Litovsk Jewish cemetery project
We are aiming for completion this summer of this historic memorial, but the road has not been without challenges. Inflation, sanctions, and the complexities of geopolitics have driven up costs, leaving us with some final fundraising to ensure the project reaches the finish line. Now, we need your support more than ever for this final push.

celebrating volunteers at the JVN Awards
On January 19th, an incredible 340 people gathered at The Grove Hotel in Chandlers Cross, Hertfordshire, just outside London, for the highly anticipated Jewish Volunteering Network (JVN) Awards. This annual event celebrates the tireless contributions of volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to charitable causes across the UK and we were proud to have our nominee from the USA with us at the event.

the power of kindness - inside the Aid Together project
Through our Aid Together project we help individuals in Belarus with dignity and in turn these people feel empowered to take part in our projects. They feel connected and valued, and this is the path to self-determination and growth. We keep this project going on human kindness, goodwill, and absolute determination in the knowledge that we are making a real and positive difference to the lives of other people!

legacy giving: a lasting impact on Jewish heritage and communities in Belarus
Legacy giving is one of the most powerful ways to make a lasting difference. It is a profound act of generosity that allows your values to live on, ensuring that the causes you care about continue to thrive for generations to come. For The Together Plan, legacies are vital in sustaining our mission to preserve Jewish history and support some of the most isolated Jewish communities in the former Soviet Union.

Jack Borowski - honouring his parents’Holocaust legacy through storytelling
Growing up, Jack Borowski was part of a unique community in Melbourne, where the shared experience of Holocaust survival shaped the bonds between families. Our Heritage Stories Reporter Tasha Ackerman brings us a compelling article based on her interview with Jack as we learn what his parents endured and its impact and legacy on the next generation.
