In a poignant demonstration of solidarity, a North London-based business networking group is joining forces with a UK charity dedicated to preserving Jewish heritage to commemorate over

26,000 victims of the Holocaust.

For over a decade, The Together Plan (TTP) has spearheaded efforts to raise funds for the restoration and memorialization of more than 1,200 remnants of headstones from the once-thriving Jewish cemetery in Brest, Belarus, ravaged during World War II.

With £100k already pledged, TTP is launching a crowdfunding campaign on May 19th and 20th to secure the remaining funds needed for a memorial. This memorial promises not only to honor the memory of those lost but also to shed light on a forgotten chapter of history.

Debra Brunner, co-founder and CEO of The Together Plan and a member of the BNI (Business Network International) Chipping business networking group, has rallied support from her fellow BNI members. In a remarkable gesture, members representing diverse backgrounds and faiths are stepping up to support the cause.

Rachel Brown, the group's business coach, has proposed an additional fundraising challenge: on May 19th, alongside contributing to the crowdfunding, members will cycle continuously on exercise bikes for 36 hours. Symbolically tracing a route towards the planned memorial site, they aim to cover 30 miles every hour, sharing images of European sites on social media throughout the journey.

This collaborative effort underscores the importance of preserving Jewish cultural heritage and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities in Belarus. The memorial project seeks to create a lasting testament to European civil society's commitment to remembrance and reconciliation.

The Together Plan's office in Bushey will serve as the campaign headquarters and cycling challenge hub, welcoming participants from around the world. Individuals from the UK, Netherlands, Greece, USA, Canada, and Australia are joining in the campaign, many with personal connections to the project, including descendants of those buried in the cemetery.

One particularly poignant connection comes from a gentleman in Seattle, Washington, whose great-great-grandmother's gravestone was cataloged during the project. For him, this tangible link to his heritage underscores the profound significance of preserving the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust. Photo by Hanna Zelenko, Wikimedia commons.