Violins of Hope Come to Illinois
A collection of restored string instruments that were played by Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust has made its way to the Chicago-area. WDCB’s Gary Zidek has the story.
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The VIIOLINS OF HOPE project has come to the Chicago-area this summer thanks to the efforts of JCC, Jewish Community Centers of Chicago. Israeli violinmakers, Amnon and Avshalom Weinstein, have spent the last two decades, collecting and repairing 70 Holocaust-era stringed instruments from around the world. Together they have restored the violins to reclaim their lost heritage, giving voice to the victims and reinforcing messages of hope and humanity. The Violins of Hope instruments have traveled to cities across the globe, where organizations are able to exhibit them and orchestras are encouraged to play them.
Several Chicago-area organizations are partnering with JCC to present Violins of Hope programming over the next few months. JCC Chicago leaders hope the initiative educates people about the holocaust and promotes compassion in these divisive times.
A big part of the program involves musical organizations like orchestras using the instruments in concert. In June, the North brook Symphony presented a Violins of Hope program. The orchestra’s music director Mina Zikri playing the Violins of Hope instruments is a very special honor.
Northbrook Symphony music director Mia Zikri
