Holocaust Remembrance program to show 'Orchestra of Exiles' May 4

Posted April 26, 2016 11:00 pm

Richard Johnson

Bronislaw Huberman, Arturo Toscanini and William Steinberg, as seen in “Orchestra of Exiles,” a film by Josh Aronson Courtesy of Felicja Blumental Music Center Library/Huberman Archive

Congregation Kneseth Israel, 330 Division St. in Elgin, will observe Yom HaShoah-Holocaust Remembrance Day at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 4.

Mark Kuntz, longtime cellist with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, will open with a moving musical presentation. Kuntz has taught at the American Conservatory of Music for 13 years and now teaches physical geology at Elgin Community College.

Afterward, there will be a showing of the 2012 PBS documentary "Orchestra of Exiles," the suspenseful chronicle of how many of Europe's premier Jewish musicians were saved from obliteration during the Holocaust. It features the story of how the Polish violin virtuoso Bronislaw Huberman was transformed from violinist to humanitarian as he rescued musicians to form the Palestine Symphony, which would later become the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. With courage, resourcefulness and an entourage of allies including Arturo Toscanini and Albert Einstein, Huberman saved close to 1,000 Jews, along with the musical heritage of Europe. It is an extraordinary portrayal of heroism and compassion during a dark time in history.

The film, written and directed by Josh Aronson, features interviews with Itzhak Perlman, Zubin Mehta, Pinchas Zukerman, Joshua Bell and others, as well as archival footage and re-creations.

Congregation Kneseth Israel continues to observe Holocaust Remembrance Day with programming to educate, enlighten and inspire in an effort to learn from the past and to thereby make the world a better place.

The public is welcome to attend this free program. Reservations appreciated but not required. For information, call Congregation Kneseth Israel at (847) 741-5656 or visit www.ckielgin.org.

Bronislaw Huberman, as seen in “Orchestra of Exiles,” a film by Josh Aronson Courtesy of Felicja Blumental Music Center Library/Huberman Archive

Arturo Toscanini and Bronislaw Huberman on stage after the first Palestine Symphony concert in November 1936, as seen in “Orchestra of Exiles,” a film by Josh Aronson Courtesy of Felicja Blumental Music Center Library/Huberman Archive

Bronislaw Huberman, as seen in “Orchestra of Exiles,” a film by Josh Aronson Courtesy of the Murray S. Katz Photo Archives of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

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