A Journey of Hope & Harmony
Coming to Knoxville
March 3rd - April 9th, 2025
Performances March 5th & April 8th, 2025
Violins of Hope
Violins of Hope is a collection of over 50 violins that survived the Holocaust, played by Jewish musicians in ghettos, concentration camps, and even as symbols of resistance. Each violin, lovingly restored by Israeli master violin maker Amnon Weinstein and his son Avshalom, carries a powerful story of resilience and survival. These instruments bear witness to the indomitable spirit of their owners, whose music defied the darkness of one of history’s most tragic periods.
Bringing these violins to Knoxville in March 2025, the Violins of Hope project will feature performances, exhibitions, and educational programs that celebrate the enduring power of music and the human spirit. Through these events, communities will come together to reflect on the past and inspire a future rooted in hope, acceptance, and unity. Join us as we honor these extraordinary instruments and the stories they tell.
Events
Performances
March 5th & April 8th, 2025 — The Violins of Hope Concert Event will be held at the Tennessee Theatre, with special performances by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. These moving concerts will feature restored violins played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust, bringing their stories of resilienceand survival to life. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness music’s power to evoke deep emotions and reflect on history.
Exhibition
From March 3rd to April 9th, 2025, the Violins of Hope exhibition will be on display in Knoxville. Designed by renowned architect Louis Gauci, this exhibit will guide visitors through the history of the Holocaust, focusing on the stories of hope, acceptance, and resilience symbolized by these violins. Each violin tells a unique story of survival, making this exhibition an educational and moving experience.
Education
On March 11, 12, 13 and April 8, 9, 2025, educators and musicians will tour East Tennessee schools, churches, synagogues, and community centers, sharing the story of the Violins of Hope with over five thousand students and adults. This program emphasizes the importance of hope, acceptance, and resilience, using music to bring the violins’ stories to life.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We are grateful for the generosity of our sponsors who make Violins of Hope Knoxville possible.
Knoxville 2025
The Violins of Hope presents a singular context to experience extraordinary violins and their remarkable stories which survived the holocaust. The presentation includes an exhibition, educational programs, community outreach, and performances.
The overall objective is to elicit within each visitor a moment of meaningful pause to reflect and re-engage our shared humanity, to respect others and practice acceptance of difference in daily life.
These treasured instruments were once played, then silenced. They will now again give voice to their stories and sound their strings. Within each violin resides an individual's indomitable spirit. The Violins of Hope will engage the visitor with instruments whose sound and legacy will never be silenced.
Within the exhibition visitors will confront, engage, discover and learn poignant realities of The Holocaust and comprehend the immeasurable loss. It will recognize that each instrument was owned by an innocent victim and that any of us too can become a victim of senseless hate.
The entire presentation further acknowledges past genocides and current persecutions against many populations for ethnic, cultural, religious and other differences.
We desire to respectfully engage and collaborate with the richly diverse greater Knoxville metro area’s religious, civic, school and community organizations. We desire that this presentation affords a meaningful opportunity for our entire community to re-engage our collective awareness and citizenship while experiencing these Violins of Hope.
2019 Violins of Hope In Knoxville
In 2019, Violins of Hope made a profound impact in Knoxville, drawing over 3,000 people to the symphony to witness the powerful performances of these historic instruments. The accompanying exhibition traveled to more than 20 schools, reaching thousands of students with its inspiring message of resilience and hope. This remarkable success not only brought the community together but also educated and inspired the next generation, leaving a lasting legacy of remembrance and unity.
The Stanford Eisenberg Knoxville Jewish Day School
The Stanford Eisenberg Knoxville Jewish Day School (KJDS) is a vibrant and inclusive learning community dedicated to nurturing the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth of every student. With a commitment to academic excellence and Jewish values, KJDS provides a nurturing environment where children from diverse backgrounds can develop a love of learning, a strong sense of identity, and a deep appreciation for their heritage. The school fosters critical thinking, creativity, and compassion, preparing students to be engaged and responsible members of both the Jewish and broader communities.
Beyond the classroom, KJDS is actively involved in the community, offering programs and events that promote cultural understanding and social responsibility. As the proud presenter of Violins of Hope Knoxville, KJDS extends its mission of education and community engagement, bringing powerful stories of resilience and hope to the wider public. Through this initiative and many others, KJDS strives to build bridges, inspire future generations, and contribute to a more inclusive and compassionate world.