JHV 10 "Pre-war Klezmer violin"

JHV 10 in the Violins of Hope collection is a pre-war Klezmer violin notable for being adorned with three Stars of David on the back.

About JHV 10

• Origin and Design: In the early 20th century, amateur Jewish and Klezmer musicians in Eastern Europe sometimes commissioned or purchased instruments customized with symbolic mother-of-pearl or inlaid Stars of David. A more "Jewish-looking" violin was a visible sign of identity—Klezmer musicians noted that a local rabbi was more likely to recommend hiring a player with such an instrument for a wedding, leading to better tips.

• Restoration: The instrument is part of the private collection of Holocaust-era stringed instruments gathered and restored by master luthiers Amnon Weinstein and his son Avshalom in Tel Aviv.

• Meaning: Like all instruments in the collection, JHV 10 stands as a symbol of cultural resilience, memory, and hope, giving voice to the musicians and traditions targeted during the Holocaust. You can explore catalog details through the Philharmonic Society of Orange County Gallery.