The Belarus team in Minsk - as we hit the Brest memorial crowdfunding campaign
As the year comes to a close, we at The Together Plan are proud to reflect on an extraordinary year filled with milestones, achievements, and impactful initiatives. Thanks to the dedication of our team, supporters, and partners, we continue to make significant strides in preserving Jewish heritage and fostering education. Here are the highlights of 2024:
participation in Holocaust Memorial Day in Newcastle
We were honoured to contribute to Newcastle City Council’s Holocaust Memorial Day events when we took our travelling exhibition which was installed in the Newcastle City Library. Click here to read more. There we ran school workshops and engaged with the local community. Our involvement underscored our commitment to Holocaust remembrance and education, connecting with communities in meaningful ways to reflect on the lessons of the past.
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- Making History Together travelling exhibition – Newcastle City Library
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- Running a workshop for Marden Bridge School, Newcastle
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- Debra Brunner speaking on Holocaust Memorial Day in Newcastle
crowdfunding success for the Brest Cemetery Memorial and commencement of construction
This year, back in May we launched a crowdfunding campaign to support the creation of the Brest Jewish Cemetery Memorial. The overwhelming generosity of our donors helped us reach our target, allowing us to commence work on this significant project. Click here to read how people all over the world made this happen over 48 hours with a simulated bike ride across Europe for good measure! Featuring over 1,000 salvaged gravestones, arc walls, and a grass mound surrounded by trees, this memorial will honour the lives and legacy of the 26,000-strong Jewish community lost in the Holocaust. The construction started in October and completion is expected by summer 2025. Click here to read more about this project.
completion of our collection on Europeana
We are thrilled to announce the completion of our digital collection on Europeana, Europe’s cultural heritage platform. This collection offers global access to artifacts and stories from Jewish Belarus, ensuring they are preserved and shared with a wider audience. It is a monumental step in making Jewish heritage accessible and valued internationally. Click here to access The Together Plan’s collection on the platform.
online talks on Jewish Belarus
Throughout the year, we shared the stories and history of Jewish Belarus with international audiences. We delivered online talks for Qesher, the Center for Jewish History in New York, and the Ghetto Fighters’ House in Israel. These sessions were invaluable in fostering global awareness of Jewish Belarusian history and the importance of preserving it.
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- Debra Brunner – hitting the crowdfunding target for the Brest Memorial Project
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- The Belarus team in Minsk – as we hit the Brest memorial crowdfunding campaign
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- The Together Plan creates a Jewish Belarus collection of digital assets for Europeana
Making History Together Holocaust education programme
Our ground breaking Holocaust education program, Making History Together, had a remarkable year. We piloted the programme in schools for the first time at Yavneh College, engaging students with an innovative and meaningful approach to Holocaust education. Additionally, the Russian-language version of our Making History Together exhibition was completed and is now in Minsk, bringing this essential narrative to new audiences and helping the communities in Belarus learn about their own hidden history.
exhibiting at the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies annual conference
In August, we exhibited and presented at the IAJGS Annual Conference in Philadelphia, engaging with a global audience of genealogists and heritage enthusiasts. This was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our work and connect with individuals passionate about Jewish history and culture. Click here to read more.
humanitarian aid efforts
In 2024, we successfully sent 10 tonnes of humanitarian aid and resources by sea to both Jewish and non-Jewish communities in Belarus. This vital support made possible by an extraordinary team of volunteers has made a significant difference to countless lives, reflecting our commitment to aiding vulnerable communities regardless of faith or background. Click here to read more.
a growing volunteer network
Our volunteer network has grown to an incredible 87 individuals spread across the globe. These passionate and dedicated volunteers are the backbone of The Together Plan, driving our mission forward with energy and commitment. We simply could not achieve what we do without their invaluable contributions. We love and value our volunteers and everything they do. They are the very fabric of our charity. Click here to read more.
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- Making History Together programme materials
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- Participating in the IAJGS Annual Conference in Philadelphia August 2024
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- Sending aid by sea to Belarus
expanding archive services
Our archive services have undergone remarkable development in 2024. With a growing and phenomenal team of caseworkers and archivists, we are now better equipped to help people worldwide. This enhanced service enables us to connect more individuals with their family histories, preserving precious memories and fostering a deeper understanding of Jewish heritage. For more information on our archive services click here
exploring gamification for cultural heritage
In September, we participated in the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Heritage (AEPJ) Annual Incubator Conference in Oxford, connecting with cultural heritage organisations across Europe. This was followed by our involvement in the Next Routes Training in Sicily, where we explored the future of gamification in cultural heritage—a promising direction for engaging audiences and preserving history through innovative digital tools. Click here to read about the training in Sicily.
strategic planning in Lublin
In October, Debra Brunner met with our Minsk team in Lublin, Poland. This productive meeting allowed for essential strategy planning and collaboration. The visit also included a tour of the Brama Grodzka NN Theatre, a fellow member of the AEPJ in Lublin, which shares our mission of preserving Jewish history and fostering understanding. Click here to read about the visit to Lublin.
building a library of stories
In 2024, our efforts to collect and preserve personal stories have flourished, thanks to the dedication of our volunteer Tasha Ackerman. Through her interviews and meticulous documentation, we are building an invaluable library of stories that capture the rich and diverse experiences of the Jewish community in Belarus. These personal narratives will become an integral part of our Jewish Cultural Heritage Route, weaving a vivid tapestry that tells the story of the Jews of Belarus. This initiative not only honours the past but also educates and inspires future generations by bringing history to life through personal voices. All of our stories can be found in the news section of our website.
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- Exploring Jewish heritage in Lublin and strategising with the team for 2025
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- Training conference for the NEXT Routes project exploring digital media and gamification in the field of cultural heritage
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- Archive services connecting people to their ancestry
strengthening partnerships in the USA
We are thrilled to highlight the invaluable support of our partner charity in the USA, Jewish Tapestry Project, which was established in 2021 by Debra Brunner, the founder of The Together Plan. This partnership has been instrumental in helping us connect with people in America who have Belarusian ancestry and those who wish to support our mission. By fostering these connections, Jewish Tapestry Project is playing a crucial role in amplifying our reach and ensuring that the stories and heritage of Belarusian Jews are preserved and celebrated.
looking back, moving forward
This year has been harder than ever—an incredibly challenging time as a UK-based charity supporting isolated Jewish communities in Belarus. With our beneficiaries in Belarus, the war in Ukraine, and now the conflict in the Middle East, our fundraising efforts have been challenging beyond measure. Nevertheless, we work tirelessly to ensure our projects continue and will continue to do so.
We now have a wonderful gifts initiative, and we invite you to click in and take a look. When searching for a gift for a birthday, anniversary, or any special occasion, please consider supporting us through our gifts. Click here to find out more.
In 2025, we will be launching an exciting new initiative that will enable you to support us in a whole new way. Additionally, we will reveal our big fundraising challenge for 2025—an opportunity for everyone, everywhere to get involved. So, watch this space for these exciting announcements!
As we celebrate our 2024 achievements, we are energised for the work ahead in 2025. From advancing the Brest Cemetery Memorial to expanding our educational programmes, our mission to preserve Jewish heritage and foster understanding remains steadfast.
Thank you for standing with us and being part of our journey. Together, we are making a real and positive difference.
thank you
These accomplishments would not have been possible without your support. Whether you donated, took part in a campaign, attended an event, shared our mission, or followed our journey, your involvement has made an enormous difference. Together, we are ensuring that the past informs a better future. Let’s continue the journey in 2025, because in every endeavour we ARE better together.
Wishing you a peaceful and fulfilling new year,
The Together Plan Team in the UK and in Belarus.
everything we do is made possible by you
To make a donation in the UK – click here
To make a donation the USA – click here