Jewish Tapestry Project

We are delighted to share the exciting news of the long-awaited opening of the Jewish Educational Centre, which took place on February 5th in the historical heart of Mogilev, on Leninskaya Street. Our team in Minsk travelled to Mogilev to witness this significant event, where Artur Livshyts, co-founder of The Together Plan and Chair of the Jewish Religious Union of Belarus, welcomed the gathering of community members and distinguished guests.

This new cultural and educational space, developed over the past decade with the support of Belarusian and international investors and builders, is designed to serve as a hub for spiritual and cultural growth for both children and adults. The modern building features welcoming spaces for seminars, festivals, and community gatherings, with plans to establish a Jewish kindergarten and a Chabad synagogue in the near future. More than just a building, this Centre represents years of dedication and a shared vision to create a place for learning, connection, and collective progress.

The grand opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by Chief Rabbi of Russia Berl Lazar, Rabbi Mendel Alperovich of the Chabad Jewish Community in Mogilev, and representatives of both national and local authorities.

The opening of the Jewish Educational Centre in Mogilev is a momentous achievement for the region, underscoring the importance of interfaith dialogue and collaboration. This Centre will serve as a space for individuals of all backgrounds to come together, fostering spiritual and cultural development, strengthening community ties, and paving the way for a bright and inclusive future.

Shortly before the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we invite you to watch this short film. This is the story of Leonid Simonovski whose mother sent him away as a young child to fend for himself in the forest, as she knew the killings in the Mogilev Ghetto would start soon.

In this impactful film, Leonid tells the story of how he came back to the house that once belonged to his family.

Watch it on The Together Plan’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02nldiPuFP0&ab_channel=TheTogetherPlan

In his early years Sam shared his home in Brest-Litovsk, a thriving town in Poland, with grandparents and extended family. His childhood was steeped in tradition and ritual. Jewish songs, morality tales, festivals and the Yiddish language forged the core of his identity and enduring sense of self.

Sam was one of the fortunate few who managed to escape the Holocaust with his family. They found their way out of the darkness of Europe in the late 1930’s, to arrive in Melbourne, Australia where they built a new life without fear and persecution.

In many ways, the challenges Sam faced in his early life in Eastern Europe provided him with the resourcefulness and fortitude to endure the difficult years as an immigrant in a foreign country. The skills he learnt as a boy in the family’s factories in Brest-Litovsk, interacting with the workers, also provided the expertise that would eventually enable him to build a thriving business in Australia.

In the run-up to the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we encourage you to watch this interview with Sam Webb, that The Together Plan commissioned with Alice Meyers of The Story Keepers, that was recorded during the global Coronavirus pandemic, in January 2021. He was 96 at the time of the recording.

To watch it, follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcU9Et9XDcQ&ab_channel=TheTogetherPlan