hope, resilience and vision
As Chanukah approaches—a festival celebrating hope, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people—this month’s newsletter highlights stories of perseverance across time. We feature the newly opened Volozhin Yeshiva Museum, an institution with a profound history that embodies the strength and determination of its leaders during times of political upheaval. Discover how our Belarus and UK teams, despite being separated by the challenges of COVID and the war in Ukraine, have stayed united and productive, demonstrating remarkable focus and resolve. Learn about Debra Brunner’s journey and the influences that inspired her to establish The Together Plan, showcasing the power of resilience and vision. Plus, we bring you an update on the latest developments at the Brest-Litovsk Jewish cemetery memorial site.
All the best,
The Together Plan Team
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- December 5th 8pm GMT –Shtetl Part 3: Exploring the lives of Jewish children in Eastern Europe (online talk)
- December 10th 8pm GMT – The Minsk Ghetto and the narratives of those who survived (online talk)
- January 14th 7pm GMT – Antiques auction, booze and shmooze (in person event – north London)
- January 19th 7pm GMT – Let’s talk genealogy! (in person event – north London)
- March 25th 7pm GMT – Book talk with author Jon Silverman about his book ‘Safe Haven’ (in person event – north London)
- Relief crew member of humanitarian aid team
- Events enthusiast
- Treasure scout
- Graphic designer
resilience and renewed purpose in challenging times
In January 2020, Debra Brunner, CEO of The Together Plan, travelled to Belarus to document and film the salvaged gravestones of the Brest-Litovsk Jewish cemetery. She had no idea it would be her last visit for the foreseeable future. So many world events have impacted the charity’s work, since that trip. Four years on, Debra has finally met with her Belarus team in person for the first time.
the Volozhin Yeshiva: a pillar of Jewish heritage and its revival as a museum
Founded in 1803 by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, the Volozhin yeshiva was known as the “Mother of Yeshivas” due to its influential role in shaping Jewish education. Under the communist regime, religious life faced severe restrictions. The legacy of the yeshiva, once vibrant and dynamic, was pushed into obscurity, with the building itself falling into a state of disrepair over the decades. But now after years of neglect – the building has been restored, is now a museum and is welcoming visitors.
the Brest Jewish cemetery memorial: progress and discoveries
We are thrilled to share the latest developments on the Brest Jewish Cemetery Memorial, a project that continues to move forward with energy and purpose, and news of a discovery as additional gravestone fragments are discovered in Brest.
how Debra Brunner built The Together Plan with a little touch of chutzpah
As Debra Brunner began taking trips to Belarus in 2009, she was surprised by how much it felt like home and soon she came to understand how her family stories connected to the larger tapestry of Jewish resilience.
