The Violins of Hope exhibit at Carnegie Mellon University’s Posner Center is a powerful testament to the resilience and strength of Jewish musicians during the Holocaust, offering visitors a unique opportunity to connect with the stories of those who endured unimaginable horrors. In a world where words often struggle to convey the true magnitude of the atrocities committed by Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945, this exhibit employs the universal language of music to convey the experiences of those who lived through one of history’s darkest chapters.
Running from October 7 to November 21, the “Violins of Hope” exhibit is a central component of the Violins of Hope Greater Pittsburgh community project. Within its walls, visitors will encounter a diverse collection of violins, each previously owned by a Jewish musician during the Holocaust. Some of these instruments were hidden to protect them from Nazi confiscation, while others played a vital role in their owners’ survival, as musicians were sometimes favored by Nazi guards for entertainment in the death camps.
These violins bear the physical scars of their history, with some showing signs of being battered and broken—a poignant testament to the hardships they endured to reach this exhibit. Among the collection, one violin had been buried in the ground, another thrown from a train transporting Jewish prisoners to a death camp, and a third given to a non-Jewish friend in the hope that it might outlast its owner. Ornately decorated Klezmer violins, adorned with glass diamonds, intricate carvings, and the Star of David, serve as a poignant reminder of the Jewish identity and faith that survived amid the darkest of times.
Trained docents at the exhibit provide guided tours, offer valuable insights, and are ready to answer questions from visitors. Moreover, the exhibit is just one part of a broader series of events and activities across Pittsburgh, celebrating the rich cultural heritage and lives of Jewish musicians, dancers, and ordinary individuals during the Holocaust. These events include concerts, ballet performances, memorials, and the extraordinary opportunity to hear some of these rescued Holocaust violins being played once more.
Over the past 25 years, more than 100 violins were carefully procured and restored by master luthier Amnon Weinstein and his son Avshi. Their mission in creating “Violins of Hope” was to pay tribute to the countless individuals who perished in the Holocaust—a number that includes 400 of their own relatives. Amnon Weinstein poignantly expressed the significance of each violin, stating, “Each violin, it’s for me like a memorial to one part of my family or a memorial for the six million people.”
For visitors like the author, experiencing the exhibit is a profoundly moving and emotional journey that prompts deep reflection on the value of life itself. Each violin once belonged to someone who lived through unimaginable circumstances, serving as tangible memorials to the Jewish prisoners who fought tenaciously to survive each day.
These violins bear witness to some of the most heinous acts in human history, where Jewish people were forcibly displaced from their homes, confined to ghettos, and in many cases, brutally killed. Being in the presence of these remarkable instruments forces one to confront the horrors of the Holocaust and the depths of inhumanity. The violins serve as a reminder of a very real, barbarous event, connecting visitors with the people who once held, played, and cherished these instruments.
Throughout the exhibit, the background music, composed on scraps of paper by Jewish prisoners in concentration camps, underscores the resilience and determination of those who found inspiration and solace through music during the darkest of times. The memories of these courageous individuals live on in the melodies they composed.
The Violins of Hope exhibit is a must-see for all, offering a unique perspective on the profound tragedy of the Holocaust. Each violin is not only a tribute to its owner but also a solemn memorial to the millions of Jewish people who perished during that era.
At a time when anti-Semitic incidents are on the rise, and as young adults shape their political ideologies, it becomes increasingly important to comprehend the true horrors of the Holocaust and question how such a catastrophe occurred. In a city that has witnessed anti-Semitic violence firsthand, this exhibit serves as a powerful tool for the community to unite in support of and empathy for their Jewish neighbors.
As the last witnesses of the Holocaust fade away, the responsibility to remember and learn from this dark period in history becomes ever more crucial. “Violins of Hope” is a poignant reminder of the need to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive, ensuring that history does not repeat itself.
