The Violins of Hope is a program that collects and restores violins played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust: a genocide where millions of Jewish people (and other minorities) were brutally murdered by Nazis. Now, this program is coming here to host a variety of programming throughout December. It has traveled the globe, touching lives in major cities such as Tel Aviv, Berlin, and New York, before making its way to the South Jersey region. 

Violins of Hope aims to spread timeless music throughout the community while simultaneously educating the public on the historical events of the genocide Jewish people and other minorities faced decades ago. The program uniquely blends music with history, aiming to build both emotional connections and intellectual understanding of the Holocaust era. 

“These violins, for me, represent six million people and speak for those silenced in the Holocaust,” said Ammon Weinstein, a master violin maker in Tel Aviv, who dedicated his life to this cause, collecting and restoring violins from the Holocaust, as he reflected on the mission.

His mission began decades ago when he was asked to restore a violin that had been played in a concentration camp, a project that led to a collection of over 60 violins. This initiative was organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Southern New Jersey in collaboration with the Jewish Federation, aiming to bring to life powerful stories of survival and resilience—namely, through music and music education. These violins were once played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust. Despite the atrocities faced, these instruments represent a lasting and profound hope, as they were often played in ghettos, concentration camps, and safe havens, offering brief moments of solace and humanity.

The restored violins will be featured in a week-long series of events, additional concerts, and string quartet performances later in the month. Activities will include school visits to teach students about the instruments' history, interfaith programs to encourage dialogue, and two major community concerts. These events are designed to educate and inspire attendees to reflect on the enduring importance of human rights and cultural preservation. Audiences worldwide have recognized the significance of these performances, where the violins’ sounds transform into voices for those silenced during the Holocaust.

Sabrina Spector, the Executive Director of the JCRC, first learned about the Violins of Hope program at a conference five years ago. Inspired by the program’s ability to connect the past and present, she made it her goal to bring these violins to South Jersey. She recalls being captivated by the program's ability to turn the pain of history into a source of learning and inspiration. Since then, she has worked hard to bring it to South Jersey. Although it was initially scheduled for October 2020, the event was postponed due to the pandemic and is now, after much anticipation, finally set to take place.

 “Bringing the violins into our schools and communities is a meaningful way to engage with history,” said Spector, recalling how important engaging with history is to learning about and appreciating it. 

She noted that the violins’ journeys reflect both the tragedy of the Holocaust and the enduring hope and humanity that music can inspire, hoping that experiencing these violins will help future generations build a deeper connection to the past and foster empathy in today's world. 

Spector and the JCRC have worked closely with program coordinators from New York to manage the logistics of the event. They ensure that the violins—restored in Tel Aviv—are ready and able to be shared with local audiences. Weinstein’s parents, who fled Europe in 1938 and later learned they had lost over 400 relatives in the Holocaust, instilled in him the importance of preserving history through these violins. The meticulous restoration process leaves the instruments not only sounding as pure and melodic as they once did but also preserves the scars and symbols etched into their wood, bearing witness to their history in the camps. The Violins of Hope program offers a unique chance for the community to connect with an important part of history through music and storytelling. By sharing these violins and their stories, the program creates a bridge between the past and the present, helping communities reflect on the lessons of history while celebrating the resilience of the human spirit. This creates educational experiences that will leave a lasting impact on the South Jersey community at large.