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. This significant initiative, designed by renowned US landscape artist Brad Goldberg, is becoming a powerful testament to the history and resilience of the Brest-Litovsk Jewish community.

Brad Goldberg’s vision for the memorial centres around two curved walls he describes as an “embrace.” This poetic design symbolizes remembrance and unity, encapsulating the memory of a community devastated by the Holocaust. Within this embrace, a grassy mound will stand as the resting place for 1,249 salvaged gravestone remnants. These stones, once standing proudly in the Brest-Litovsk Jewish cemetery, will serve as markers of the lives and legacy of those they memorialised.

Incorporating even the smallest pieces of history, the embrace walls will feature a mosaic of gravestone fragments laid along their upward-facing surfaces. Visitors will be able to touch these mosaics, connecting physically with the fragments of a lost world. The installation of these curved walls has begun, and as their outline emerges, the memorial’s form and purpose are coming to life—a moment of immense pride and excitement for all involved.

a new discovery

Recently, during the excavation of a basement at a construction site in Brest, additional gravestone fragments were unearthed. These pieces, like all those previously recovered, are invaluable. Each fragment represents a member of the former Brest community—a people whose lives were tragically cut short during the atrocities of 1941-1944 by the Nazis and Einsatzgruppen. These newly discovered fragments will be safely stored and eventually integrated into the memorial, ensuring their stories are not forgotten.

Click on the image for a clearer view:

why this matters

Artur Livshyts, The Together Plan’s Country Director and co-founder, eloquently reflects on the importance of this work:

“People come and go, communities appear and disappear, but history, heritage, and legacy stay forever.”

His words resonate deeply as we continue this mission of preservation and remembrance. The Brest Jewish Cemetery Memorial is not just a physical monument; it is a testament to the enduring significance of history and the stories of those who came before us.

Every recovered fragment, every step in this project, brings us closer to honouring the memory of the Brest Jewish community and ensuring their legacy is preserved for generations to come. Thank you for your ongoing support in making this vital work possible.

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To read previous articles, click here