Violins Of Hope
A collection of more than 100 string instruments—primarily violins, violas, and cellos—played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust.
History and Origin
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The Collectors: The project was founded by the late Israeli violin maker Amnon Weinstein and is continued by his son, Avshalom Weinstein. Amnon's father, Moshe Weinstein, started a violin repair shop in Tel Aviv after leaving Warsaw, Poland, in 1938.
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Rescued Instruments: After World War II, many surviving musicians brought German-made or camp-played instruments to the shop, often threatening to destroy them because no one wanted anything associated with Germany. Amnon began collecting and restoring them as a tribute to the victims, including roughly 400 members of his own extended family who perished in the Holocaust.
Significance and Role
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Symbols of Survival: During the war, these instruments served diverse roles—providing spiritual comfort, acting as tools of resistance in camp orchestras, or helping save lives. Some instruments even feature hand-carved Stars of David or inscriptions.
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Global Exhibitions: The collection travels worldwide for concerts, educational programs, and historical exhibits, allowing major international orchestras to play the instruments and carry forward the stories of their original owners.
Learn more about upcoming events and historical instruments via the Violins of Hope Official Website.
These are the six on display, they have kindly leant to us by Winston-Salem Symphony
