every story matters
This month’s newsletter is all about stories. Stories yet to be told and stories that were locked away during the Soviet years. We get the chance to hear from our Country Director in Belarus who shares some of his personal story, and through a memoir penned in the USA – we get a real insight into why personal stories are at the heart of who we are as human beings. Stories – really do matter and often we don’t even realise ourselves that we have a story to tell. Maybe you have a story that you would like to share with us?
Victory Day ‘23 - in memory of those whose stories are yet to be told
The year is 2023. It is the year that marks 80 years since the liquidation of the Minsk Ghetto, a ghetto so many people still have never heard of.
Click here to find out more
A forest, a typewriter and a secret manuscript
Who was Anna Machiz? What did she witness and why did her memoir disappear after the war?
Click here to find out more
Featured in the Belarus Jewish News
Our very own Artur Livshyts – co-founder and Country Director of The Together Plan, shares some of his story in an interview with Belarus’s only Jewish newspaper, ‘Berega’.
Click here to read the article
Mildred, Bebe and The Together Plan
What is it in the heart and soul in a human being that pulls him so to the root?
Click here to find out why stories matter
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 6 – Operation Barbarossa
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
The Jews of Ukraine – A Virtual Tour of Kiev and Odesa
Sunday, June 11
USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET
UK 8:00 pm / France 09:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm
Programme by ‘Qesher – Discover, Learn, Connect’ in support of the work of The Together Plan
Click here to book
‘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.
Maccabi Community Fun Run
Will you run, walk, hop, skip or jump for The Together Plan on June 25th? If you are not in London on the 25th June – don’t let geography or age stand in your way. Whether you are a tiny tot or an octagenarian – you can do your sponsored walk, run or other from wherever you are in the world! Let’s make it an all inclusive international Fun Run! Sign up here
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
Selling fast, book now to avoid disappointment!
Click here to book tickets
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
The Jews of Galicia (Western Ukraine):A Virtual Tour of Lviv and Brody
Sunday July 16th
USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET
UK 8:00 pm / France 09:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm
Programme by ‘Qesher – Discover, Learn, Connect’ in support of the work of The Together Plan
Click here to book
SAVE THE DATES – 10th September and 26th November
TTP Soccerthon – football tournament family fun day
five-aside 3 touch football tournament at the Harefield Academy, Uxbridge!
Sunday September 10th
Get ready to get your teams activated!!
Piano recital by Janusz Piotrowicz and wine and canape reception
at the Royal Academy of Music
Sunday November 26th
Read our blog articles and recipes by clicking here