visiting the Memory Embrace memorial in Brest
walking through history, shaping tomorrow
This month’s newsletter brings together stories of journey, remembrance, learning, and reflection, capturing the many strands of The Together Plan’s work across communities and landscapes. We begin with Debra Brunner’s recent travels through Belarus alongside Trustee Tracey Kieve, exploring Jewish heritage sites and living communities that continue to shape our understanding of the past and present. We then turn to Minsk, where the Jewish community marked Victory Day on 26th Iyar, a deeply meaningful day of remembrance and survival that honours not only liberation from Nazi occupation, but also the enduring resilience of the Jewish people in the face of attempted annihilation. Alongside these powerful commemorations, we share updates from our ‘Making History Together’ programme, which continues to inspire young learners and educators through immersive engagement with history, and we close with personal reflections from a climb up Mount Snowdon, offering space to consider challenge, perspective, and connection.
All the best,
The Together Plan team
upcoming events
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open volunteer roles
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- 14th June – Big Summer Line Dance (in person event)
- 18th June – The Jews of Ukraine: A Virtual Tour of Kyiv and Odesa (online event by Qesher in support of The Together Plan)
- 28th June – Archive Service – a trip to your roots (online talk)
- 12th July – The Jews of Belarus: From the Pale of Settlement to the USSR and Beyond (online event by Qesher in support of The Together Plan)
- 23rd July – The Jews of Galicia (Western Ukraine): A Virtual Tour of Lviv and Brody (online event by Qesher in support of The Together Plan)
- aid sorting & packing volunteer
- events team volunteer
- eBay and online sales volunteer
- volunteer driver for Aid Together
on the road in Belarus – a journey of Jewish heritage, memory and new beginnings
From historic synagogues and forgotten cemeteries to powerful memorials and living communities, discover how Jewish Belarus is inspiring a new chapter of remembrance and connection.
Making History Together – educating the next generation through hidden history
Take a glimpse at The Together Plan’s interactive educational experience ‘Making History Together’. An amazing journey across six dynamic sessions, where students are encouraged to make meaningful personal connections to hidden history while gaining critical insights into how they can make a positive difference in the world today.
through the eyes of an American Jewish educator
In more than twenty-five years in Jewish education, I have rarely experienced a programme that fostered trust and emotional connection so quickly. Read more about the reflections from Jennifer Saber who spent time observing The Together Plan’s Making History Together programme.
Victory Day commemoration at Yama Memorial, Minsk
Each year on 9 May, countries across the former Soviet Union mark Victory Day – the anniversary of the official end of the Second World War in Europe and the defeat of Nazi Germany on 9 May 1945. It is a day of remembrance, honouring the immense sacrifice and loss endured during the war. In Belarus – the Jewish community marks this anniversary on the 26th Iyar every year.
climbing through darkness towards the light
Our work impacts Jewish and non-Jewish communities not only in Belarus, but around the world. And just like climbing a mountain in darkness, even when the path feels steep and uncertain, we keep going because we know there is light at the end of the journey.
