Stay-at-home guide of great things to do

March 30, 2020

The Together Plan’s special stay-at-home guide of great things to do

The Together Plan is passionate about the work that it does. Our team are deeply committed to telling the stories of the past, to working to help revive Jewish community life in the former Soviet Union and about building connections across borders. History, heritage and identity are vitally important. While we all hunker down and stay safe during the Coronavirus crisis, we felt it would be a great opportunity to bring you, on-topic, things to do from the safety of your homes. We have put together, what we hope you will agree, is a wide ranging variety of different things to do for full or part immersion: useful recipes, fascinating films, riveting radio, beautiful ballet from the Bolshoi and free online courses. We hope that you will enjoy our suggestions and feel free to share them with others.

Our work continues and will do so well after this crisis is over. Stay with us on the journey.

#StaySafe #StayHome #StayConnected #TogetherWeCan

films to watch

The history of the Jews of Russia – a film trilogy, by The Genesis Philanthropy Group

A fascinating epic, RUSSIAN JEWS follows their rich and complex history from 11th century through the collapse of the Soviet Union. Created and narrated by acclaimed journalist Leonid Parfenov, the trilogy highlights Jewish contributions to Russian and Soviet societies. The stories which Leonid Parfenov so masterfully depicts in the trilogy deserve a stage to be retold. Why was the phenomenon of Russian Jewry so significant for Soviet life, but, just as significant for the anti-Soviet movement? Why does it continue to impact the post-Soviet reality in the countries of the former Soviet Union as well as beyond their borders? These and other important questions emerge from the trilogy to help engage its audience in this ever-important intellectual discourse. All three films have English subtitles.

These are YouTube films which can we watch on your computer or a Smart TV.

Russian Jews
Before the Revolution

Click here to watch the film

Russian Jews
1918 – 1948

Click here to watch the film

Russian Jews
After 1948

Click here to watch the film

Everything Is Illuminated

A young Jewish-American man obsessed with his family history, Jonathan Safran Foer (Elijah Wood) decides to journey to the Ukraine to find out more about the life of his grandfather. Guided by Alex (Eugene Hutz), a rap-obsessed local, Jonathan ventures into the heartland of the Ukraine seeking to shed light on events that occurred to his grandfather during World War II. Joining Jonathan and Alex is the latter’s surly grandfather (Boris Leskin) and a dog named Sammy Davis Jr. Jr.

Available to buy or rent on Youtube

Photo: Jewish Gen/yizkor/belarus (Public Domain image)

Defiance

2008 American war film directed by Edward Zwick set during the occupation of Belarus by Nazi Germany, starring Daniel Craig. In 1941, Nazi soldiers are slaughtering Eastern European Jews by the thousands. Three brothers, Tuvia (Daniel Craig), Zus (Liev Schreiber) and Asael (Jamie Bell), manage to escape and take refuge in the forest where they played in childhood. Seeking a way to avenge the deaths of their loved ones, the brothers turn their daily struggle for survival into a battle against the Nazis. As news of their exploits spreads, others join the fray, willing to risk their lives for even brief freedom.

Available on Netflix

Unorthodox

Story of a young ultra-Orthodox Jewish woman who flees her arranged marriage and religious community to start a new life abroad.

TV Mini Series Series (4 episodes) available on Netflix

Bolshoi Ballet Broadcasts

For the first time in its history, the Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow has announced that it will broadcast several classical opera and ballet performances (known as the “Golden Series”) live on the theatre’s Youtube channel for free viewing. These are YouTube broadcasts that can be watched on your computer or a Smart TV.

Moscow Grand Theatre Youtube Channel click here

Program schedule:

01.04 – The Tsar’s Bride
04.04 – Marco Spada

07.04 – Boris Godunov
10.04 – The Nutcracker

recommended radio podcast

Katie Glass – ‘And the Good News is Your Jewish’

28 minutes

When Sunday times writer Katie Glass lost her father she began her own search for a Jewish identity and place in the world that is still unresolved. But what kind of Jewish soul is she and where does she belong? Is it culture or bloodline, food or politics? Does perpetually feeling like an outsider make her part of the club? In a deeply personal journey, Katie Glass wrestles with her own anxieties and unanswered questions that were triggered by her father’s death. What does modern Jewish identity mean in 21st Century Britain. Taking in Friday Night, speaking to Jewish friends, meeting with rabbis of different denominations, taking a DNA test and shopping for Salt Beef, Katie asks what it means to be Jewish today and if that really changes her identity or anxiety!

To listen to the podcast, click here

free courses

Photo: Paul Dooley (cc) flickr.com

Yiddish heritage, culture, language

All of YIVO’s Shine Online courses are now free.
As restrictions continue to be imposed to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, YIVO is offering entertaining and enlightening Shine Online courses for free. These courses provide meaningful content to sustain our minds and soul during these uncertain times. We invite you to use this time to broaden your knowledge and learn about Jewish music, theater, literature, folklore and the history of our people and to access their many other free online resources.

Click here for course registration

Click here for The Together Plan’s introduction to Yiddish and YIVO (Yiddish Institute for Jewish Research).

Jewish Heritage journeys across Europe

The AEPJ (European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Heritage and Culture) are developing European Routes of Jewish Culture. The Together Plan is a member of the AEPJ building a Jewish Cultural Heritage Trail through Belarus. Take a trip from the comfort of your sofa and see what is on offer in Italy, Girona, Belarus,Transylvania and the UK.

Click here for more details

fun and useful recipes

DIY Matzah

Click here for our fantastic recipe and hear what the Rabbis are saying about Pesach this year.

Marmalade Glazed Matzah Pudding

Click here for our delicious recipe

Pickled Dilly Beans

Preserving like our ancestors did, click here for our guide to healthy vegetables that keep, and are great for digestion and the immune system.

geneaology

get to grips with your genealogy

Ever thought of doing some family history research? With time on your hands, why not make a start and get the family papers and photos out? Have a read here as we may be able to help. Maybe even do a DNA test.

spring clean, declutter and donate

Just like a clear inbox can make you feel more efficient, a well-organised home can boost your productivity levels. A good old clear out is good for your mental well-being. What better time than now to have a good spring clean and really therapeutic clear out. Read more here for tips on de-cluttering.

The Together Plan Aid Together Project sends good quality clothes, shoes, toys, Judaica, bedding and linen, and arts and crafts resources to Belarus. These are then distributed to Jewish and non-Jewish communities throughout the country.

In the current Coronavirus crisis we are unable to collect or receive donations, but do sort and keep your donations, and pass them to us once we are on the other side.

Please note: only good quality items only. Thank you

Back to the Special edition Newsletter »

Stay-at-home guide of great things to do

The Together Plan’s special stay-at-home guide of great things to do

films to watch

The history of the Jews of Russia – a film trilogy, by The Genesis Philanthropy Group

Russian Jews Before the Revolution

Russian Jews 1918 – 1948

Russian Jews After 1948

Everything Is Illuminated

Defiance

Unorthodox

Bolshoi Ballet Broadcasts

recommended radio podcast

Katie Glass – ‘And the Good News is Your Jewish’

free courses

Yiddish heritage, culture, language

Jewish Heritage journeys across Europe

fun and useful recipes

DIY Matzah

Marmalade Glazed Matzah Pudding

Pickled Dilly Beans

geneaology

get to grips with your genealogy

spring clean, declutter and donate

Russian Jews
Before the Revolution

Russian Jews
1918 – 1948

Russian Jews
After 1948