In the heart of Eastern Europe, where history intertwines with diverse cultures, now in its 10th year,The Together Plan has embarked on a noble mission. Dedicated to supporting isolated and vulnerable Jewish communities in Belarus, we aim to make them visible, by enabling them to first discover and then tell their own stories, and provide the necessary support for growth. The key to achieving this vision lies in the creation of a Belarusian Jewish cultural heritage route, preserving the rich history and stories of the Jewish community in the region. As we wrap up 2023, let’s take a tour of what The Together Plan has been doing and why…..
building a cultural heritage route:
The creation of a Jewish Heritage Route through Belarus is our core mission. This route will serve as a testament to the historical significance of the Jewish community in Belarus, allowing local communities to actively participate in the preservation of their heritage. Through this initiative, we are shedding light on the often overlooked narratives of Belarusian Jews, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of their contributions to the cultural mosaic of the region and the wider world.
audio tours – a collaborative community effort:
Our innovative approach involves the creation of audio tours. These tours serve as a powerful tool to narrate the compelling story of the Jews of Belarus. This project creates opportunities for communities and individuals to come together to explore the little known and little documented Jewish history and heritage of the Jewish people who lived in their towns and villages. The aim of the audio tours is to enable visitors and virtual visitors to immerse themselves in the rich history and traditions of the Belarusian Jewish community.
To read more and to access the audio tours click here
heritage preservation – making the intangible tangible
A cornerstone of our efforts is the preservation of historical sites, with a significant project focusing on the Brest-Litovsk Jewish cemetery. Over the last two decades, gravestones bearing the echoes of a bygone era have been discovered, providing a tangible link to the past. We are actively involved in the construction of a memorial at the site that was the Brest-Litovsk Jewish cemetery, ensuring that the memory of those who came before is not forgotten and that future generations can connect with their roots.
Click here for more information on this project.
ancestral records and personal stories
Recognising the importance of personal connections to one’s heritage, we assist individuals in the diaspora in finding their ancestral records in the Belarus archives. This not only facilitates a deeper understanding of individual family histories but also contributes to the broader narrative of the Belarusian Jewish community. Additionally, we are collecting personal stories, both from within Belarus and from individuals around the world whose families originated from the region, further enriching the tapestry of shared experiences. If you have a story to share – we would love to hear from you. Click here to share your story.
Click here to find out more about finding your records in the Belarus archives
translating and publishing Holocaust narratives
We are committed to ensuring that untold stories are brought to light. To achieve this, we are translating and publishing books written during or after the Holocaust, providing a platform for narratives that have yet to be fully heard. By sharing these stories, we aim to commemorate the resilience of the Belarusian Jewish community in the face of adversity and educate future generations about the importance of remembrance. You can read more about ‘We Remember Lest the World Forget – Memories of the Minsk Ghetto’ – here and ‘Anna Machiz – Testimonies or Tragedy and Resistance in the Minsk Ghetto’ here. Three more books are currently being translated.
Making History Together
At The Together Plan, our commitment to preserving and sharing the history of the Holocaust has led us to create a groundbreaking online education program, “Making History Together.” Specifically designed for 12 and 13-year-olds, this programme serves a dual purpose by not only educating young minds about the Holocaust but also fostering personal development. The success of this initiative has given rise to a dynamic, travelling interactive exhibition that has made its way to schools and synagogues, leaving a lasting impact on those who have experienced it.
In a significant development for 2024, we are proud to announce that our exhibition has been invited to be part of Newcastle City Council’s Holocaust Memorial Day programme. This recognition underscores the importance of our efforts in Holocaust education. Furthermore, recognising the absence of an official Holocaust education programme in Belarus, we are launching a Russian language version of the exhibition in the country. Additionally, in 2024, we will be publishing elements of the “Making History Together” programme on our website, making it accessible to a wider audience in English, Russian, and Belarusian, thereby contributing to the global dialogue on Holocaust education and remembrance.
To find out more about the Making History Together programme click here
sending humanitarian aid and resources
The Aid Together programme stands as a pivotal initiative, allowing us to dispatch essential resources to community centres while fostering meaningful dialogue with communities in Belarus. This project not only generates valuable volunteer opportunities but also extends crucial support to the most vulnerable members of society, both within the Jewish community and beyond. What makes this endeavour even more impactful is its dual benefit—providing a channel for donors in the UK to recycle unwanted items, contributing to environmental sustainability by reducing landfill waste. The dedicated and passionate volunteers in the UK play a central role in driving the success of this programme, and their commitment is held in high regard as they work tirelessly to make a positive impact on both the environment and communities in need. Finally, let’s not forget the wonderful donors in the USA who play their part to support this project by making financial donations to help us cover the transportation costs of getting the aid to Belarus. For your support we are truly grateful. Donations can be made in the UK to The Together Plan, or to our USA non-profit Jewish Tapestry Project.
To find out more about our aid together programme click here.
To sum up….
We have an unwavering passion for what we do and we will continue to support and empower isolated Jewish communities in Belarus as we work to put Jewish Belarus back on the map. Through the creation of a Belarusian Jewish cultural heritage route, audio tours, preservation projects, archival research, the publication of untold stories, educating about the hidden Jewish history of Belarus and sending aid and resources, we are making significant strides in preserving and sharing the rich history of the Belarusian Jewish community. In doing so, we are not only honouring the past but also laying the foundation for a more connected and resilient future.
Come with us in 2024. Why not consider becoming a regular donor, to help us with our mission and achieve our goals. We know that it’s all possible if we do it together.
To become a regular donor if you are in the UK click here and if you are in the USA click here.
Thank you