Seventy six years on, another generation removed from the attrocities of the Shoah, and antisemitism, bigotry and xenophobia are on the rise across the globe. Not only do the children of the 21st century need new tools to help them learn from the past, they need a pathway to understanding the whole story with opportunities to to explore in a way that is relevant in their modern world. Of the six million who were murdered between 1939 and 1945, 2.7 million were shot in the Soviet Union and those who survived were forced into silence after the war. The Together Plan’s Making History Together Programme is a child’s journey to discovering this little known history and a personal journey of self-discovery to explore how history shapes how you can positively impact the world as you grow. It is non-graphic, bite-sized, tangible and intruiging. Which 20 children will be going on the journey in 2022?

Our family stories are woven into the very fabric of our being. They shape who we are, what we do and how we navigate the world. The tragic losses endured by families in the Soviet Union for the most part remain unknown. At The Together Plan, we work tirelessly to bring this long-silenced history into the consciousness of those willing to listen and to those whose attention we can attract. We are working to mark historic Jewish spaces. It is a history we must not lose. Our work has inspired one Jewish Belarusian living in Moscow to take a stand and make a difference. Igor Ryzov has set himself a personal challenge in memory of thousands. ‘To believe in goodness, you need to start doing it.’

Facing the ever-changing challenges of Covid, the new normal and a return to in-person events our programme of fascinating sessions that was set to be delivered in October is taking on a new look.

A sticky sweet concoction with a wartime story which together makes for nostalgic reading. We know it would be better suited as a feature in a Passover publication, but we simply couldn’t resist sharing it with you here. Beetroot is in season and you can make and keep this as it is after all a preserve! A great homemade Chanukah gift or just make and store over the winter ready for your Passover matzah in the spring. Either way – read and enjoy.