Arts

VIOLINS OF HOPE:

EXHIBITION COMES TO ARIZONA By Alison Bailin Batz The violins were first discovered by

In 1933, Adolf Hitler came to power who as a young violinmaker more than in Germany, immediately found- 50 years ago was asked to restore a ing his first concentration camp in particular violin. Dachau. during the Holocaust. In an effort to give a voice to those lost during those darkest of days in our history, the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix and other community partners, thanks to the diligent work by local volunteers Julee Landau Shahon and Rachel Hoffer, and in partnership with more than 50 Arizona nonprofits, schools and businesses, is proud to present Violins of Hope.

VIOLINS OF HOPE

Violins of Hope tells the remarkable stories of violins played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust. Today these instruments serve not only as powerful reminders of an unimaginable experience but also reinforce lessons of tolerance, inclusion, and diversity. Israeli violinmaker Amnon Weinstein, The customer shared with Weinstein – In 1935, he issued the Nuremberg Laws, who himself lost hundreds of relatives excluding Jewish people from public during the Holocaust – that the violin life across Germany. was played by a musician at Auschwitz By 1945, more than six million Jewish musician was spared by the Nazis and people were murdered across Europe forced to play at the camp afterwards. “We believe that in keeping the memory peared to be ashes when he opened the and lessons of the Holocaust alive, violin case, was unable to restore that we prevent silence and indifference in instrument. The memory was too painful future generations,” says Marty Ha- at the time. But in 1996, by then a master berer, CEO of the Jewish Federation of violin-maker, Weinstein put out a worldGreater Phoenix. wide call for violins from the Holocaust.

as he marched to the gas chamber. The Weinstein, who discovered what ap-

He sought out to restore every single one he could find as a way to reclaim his lost heritage and to give a voice to the victims.

The Violins of Hope have been played in concert halls and exhibited in museums worldwide. They have been featured in books, print, film and television. Their stories and messages have impacted hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide.

VIOLINS OF HOPE PHOENIX

Throughout March, Phoenix and Scottsdale will play host to dozens of Violins of Hope Phoenix events.

“This incredible program will be the largest collaborative project ever undertaken in greater-Phoenix, with Jewish and non-Jewish community organizations partnering in celebrating music, education, history and culture. It is a tremendous opportunity for the Federation to connect with community members and organizations and demonstrate unity in our shared values,” says Landau Shahon.

To see a full list of Violins of Hope events, or to buy tickets, visit www. violinsofhopephoenix.com. OPEN 7-DAYS A WEEK THROUGH MARCH 24 26540 N Scottsdale Rd at Jomax ArizonaFineArtEXPO.com 480-837-7163 10-week Season Pass $10; Military/Seniors $8 • Open Daily–Rain or Shine–10-6

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