Violins of Hope concerts, exhibits make their way across state
Musical instruments aren't mere artifacts. They are meant to make music.
And that is exactly what a collection of stringed instruments, some dating back 100 years or more, will do as part of the Violins of Hope exhibit, which includes an afternoon concert May 7 at Beth Tikvah Congregation in Hoffman Estates.
Besides being historical artifacts, most of the instruments were owned and played by Jewish musicians who were persecuted and killed during the Holocaust era before and during World War II.
"I believe strongly in Holocaust education, especially when it can happen in interesting ways," said Beth Tikvah Congregation member Bonnie Vozar, who also serves as a director of JCC Chicago and was a benefactor to bring the musical instruments to the Hoffman Estates temple.
"If we don't keep telling the stories of the Holocaust, there are people who won't believe it," Vozar said.
The Violins of Hope began when Israeli violin makers Amnon and Avshalom Weinstein began acquiring and repairing Holocaust-era violins, as well as other stringed instruments. They have taken the time to tenderly restore the instruments to enable musicians to once again play them. The instruments arrived in Illinois in early April and will travel throughout the state until September.
Vozar said the concert at Beth Tikvah will be a tribute to those in the congregation who dedicate their voices and musical talents to creating beautiful music. In addition to the instrumentalists, there will be two choirs that will accompany the musical arrangements.
"This is a real 'l'dor v'dor' moment for our temple," Vozar said, referring to the Hebrew phrase that means from generation to generation.
Cantorial leader and musical director Ilana Axel is working with congregant Matthew Hallaron to coproduce the event, which will feature five musicians from the congregation playing instruments from the collection, as well as the two choirs participating, including a youth choir.
Axel said the musicians and choirs will perform music that represents the past, present and future, highlighting Jewish life in Europe before the war and the stories of these instruments.
Audience members will recognize some of the more famous pieces and be introduced to a musical piece written by a victim who died at Auschwitz.
"We at Beth Tikvah Congregation are so excited to have this opportunity provided for us by Vozar and the JCC Chicago to play these restored instruments of the period in such a loving and precious way," Axel said.
Tickets to the Beth Tikvah Congregation concert sold out quickly, but for a full list of other events and concerts, visit jccchicago.org/violins-of-hope.