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the final push – we’re almost there!!
Dear Friends,
We are incredibly excited to share a momentous update regarding the Brest-Litovsk Jewish Cemetery campaign, which is now moving into its final phase of this historic memorial project. The significance of this initiative cannot be overstated—it embodies the essence of preserving cultural heritage and aims to create a vital heritage site for European civil society. Watch this short video where Victor Sorenssen, Director of the AEPJ explains the significance of this planned heritage site in a European context.
For the past 11 years, The Together Plan has been dedicated to restoring history in Belarus—a region profoundly affected by the devastating events of the Second World War. The atrocities inflicted on Jewish communities during this period are part of a narrative that demands remembrance and reverence. The Brest-Litovsk project is a crucial step towards illuminating this lesser-known chapter of history.
In 2013, the first signs emerged when local residents of Brest-Litovsk discovered Jewish gravestones scattered across their town—buried in gardens, washed up along riverbanks, and embedded within the fabric of the community. Recognising the significance of this find, The Together Plan became involved to support this poignant endeavour.
Fast forward to 2021, we achieved a significant milestone by signing an exclusive agreement with Belarusian authorities to work with the salvaged gravestones. Our team meticulously catalogued and photographed 1,249 remnants, transforming what could have been lost history into a powerful archaeological and historical record.
So, what does this project mean for the community and beyond?
- It reinstates the cemetery as a recognised site of cultural and historical importance.
- It acknowledges the collaborative efforts of both Jewish and non-Jewish locals in preserving this heritage.
- It provides a space for the existing Jewish community to honour their ancestors.
- It offers a place of pilgrimage for Jews from Brest living in the Diaspora.
- It forms an integral part of The Together Plan’s Belarus cultural heritage route, which aims to educate and commemorate the events of 1941-1944, and the Jewish history of the region across the centuries.
- It contributes significantly to Holocaust education and fosters open dialogue about suppressed histories.
- It symbolises repair and reconciliation, fostering a more cohesive civil society.
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- Prewar image of the Brest-Litovsk Jewish cemetery
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- Hand drawing eyewitness account of what was left of the cemetery after the war in 1944, by Vladimir Gubenko
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- Gravestones from the Brest-Liovsk Jewish cemetery discovered at a building site in Brest in 2014, photo credit – Debra Brunner
This memorial will not only serve as a place for reflection and remembrance but also empower the local community—uniting Jews and non-Jews alike in reclaiming and preserving their shared history.
Belarus, often overlooked, holds a treasure trove of stories and resilience. As Nigel Roberts aptly puts it in The Bradt Guide to Belarus, the country’s history is marked by heroism, tragedy, and natural beauty—a testament to the endurance of its people.
Under the Council of Europe’s Faro Convention, cultural heritage is a catalyst for dialogue, cooperation, and democratic participation—values at the heart of this project.
Join us in making history!
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- The Together Plan team working with the salvaged gravestones in Brest in 2021 Photo credit – The Together Plan
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- The Together Plan team in 2021 photographing every remnant gravestone to be catalogued Photo credit – The Together Plan
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- Artist’s render of the new memorial by Brad Goldberg, USA artist
We are thrilled to announce that our very exciting matchfunded crowdfunding campaign will run for 36 hours over May 19th and 20th. With 50% of the funds already pledged – every pound we raise will be matched. With people from the UK, Netherlands, Greece, USA, Canada and Australia already signed up, we invite you, from all corners of the globe, to join us and participate in this meaningful endeavour. Here’s how you can help:
- Sign up: Register to participate in our 36-hour campaign – click here.
- Donate: Contribute to our fundraising goal during the live campaign.
- Follow: Stay connected with us on social media as we turn this dream into reality.
The Brest-Litovsk Jewish cemetery today, photo credit Debra Brunner
Together, we can ensure that the voices of the past are heard and honoured. Let’s preserve history, one stone at a time. If we hit our target, and we have every plan to do so, construction will begin this summer.
With gratitude and hope,
Debra Brunner and Artur Livshyts
Founders of The Together Plan
