Motele Schlein's violin is a poignant symbol of courage, resilience, and defiance during one of history's darkest periods. At just 12 years old, Motele's life was violently disrupted when Nazi forces invaded Belarus, rounding up Jewish families. His own family was sent to Auschwitz, leaving him to survive alone. Armed only with his beloved violin, Motele escaped to the forests, where Jewish partisans organized resistance efforts against Nazi forces. His journey led him to the partisan group of Moshe Gildenman, known as “Uncle Misha,” where Motele's exceptional musical talent became his lifeline—and a powerful tool for sabotage.

Disguised as an innocent street musician, Motele infiltrated a Nazi-frequented restaurant in Ovruch, Ukraine, where his playing soon earned him a regular position. This gave the young spy a unique opportunity: each day, he carried explosives hidden in his violin case, slowly embedding them within cracks in the restaurant's foundation. His careful, daily subterfuge culminated in a fateful evening when he ignited the explosives just as hundreds of Nazi officers gathered inside. Calmly saluting the guards at the exit, Motele escaped into the night, and moments later, the building erupted in a powerful explosion.

Motele's bravery was motivated by deep personal loss. When he reunited with his fellow partisans, he raised his fist in tribute to his slain family, vowing, “This is for my parents and little Bashiale.” Though Motele continued to fight valiantly, he was tragically killed in combat at the age of 14. His violin, however, survived. Uncle Misha carried it through the chaos of war, even into Berlin during the Allied victory, and later to Israel, where it became a cherished family relic.

Years later, Motele's violin found its way to Amnon Weinstein, a master violin maker in Tel Aviv. Weinstein, who restores Holocaust-era instruments for his Violins of Hope project, recognized the violin's extraordinary story. After meticulously restoring it, Weinstein donated the violin to Yad Vashem, ensuring it would serve as both a memorial and an educational tool. In 2008, the violin's haunting legacy was honored in a powerful performance at the walls of Jerusalem's Old City, where it played Israel's national anthem, Hatikvah.

Motele Schlein's violin stands as a testament to the indomitable human spirit, reminding us that even in the face of unspeakable cruelty, courage and hope can endure. Through performances and remembrance, Motele's story continues to inspire future generations, ensuring that the music of resistance and survival will never be forgotten.

The Zimermann-Krongold Violin represents resilience, memory, and the intertwined stories of Jewish craftsmanship and survival. This violin was crafted in 1924 by Yaacov Zimermann, one of the earliest Jewish violin makers in Warsaw, Poland. Commissioned by Shimon Krongold, a wealthy industrialist and amateur violinist, the violin features an intricate Star of David inlay on its back. Zimermann added a personal touch to the instrument by gluing a Yiddish label inside, which reads: “I made this violin for my loyal friend Shimon Krongold, Yaacov Zimermann, Warsaw, 1924.”

As the war approached, Krongold fled Warsaw in 1939, escaping to Russia and eventually reaching Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where he later succumbed to typhus towards the end of the war. After the war, a survivor from Tashkent carried the violin to Krongold's relatives in Jerusalem, preserving both the instrument and its story as a family heirloom.

The Zimermann-Krongold violin not only symbolizes personal friendship and survival but also highlights the efforts of Zimermann and others in Warsaw's Jewish community to nurture young talent. Before the war, Krongold was known for supporting prodigious musicians, such as Michel Swalbe, who later became the leading violinist of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Today, this violin stands as a testament to the lives affected by the Holocaust, connecting modern audiences to a past filled with artistry, kindness, and tragedy.

The Hecht Violin reflects both personal resilience and historical tragedy. The violin belonged to Fanny Hecht, a Jewish violinist living in Amsterdam during World War II. Originally from Bielefeld, Germany, the Hecht family fled to Holland in hopes of escaping Nazi persecution, but their fate was tragically sealed when the Nazis expanded their control.

In 1943, fearing arrest and deportation, Fanny entrusted her violin to her Christian neighbor, Helena Visser. She left a note inside the violin that identified it as an "Antonius Stradivarius Cremona, Faciebat anno 1743." This act of trust proved crucial as the entire Hecht family—Fanny, her husband Alex, and their sons Fritz and Ernst—were arrested. Fanny and Alex were murdered in Auschwitz, Ernst perished in Sobibor, and Fritz died in the Monowitz labor camp in 1945.

The Visser family safeguarded the violin for 74 years, committed to ensuring it would eventually return to Jewish musicians. In an extraordinary gesture, the Vissers donated the violin to the Violins of Hope project. They traveled to Israel, visited Yad Vashem to research the Hecht family's history, and entrusted the violin to the Weinsteins, ensuring that the memory of the Hechts and their legacy would endure through music.

The Hecht Violin is now part of the Violins of Hope collection, where it serves as both a symbol of survival and a tribute to those lost. Its story emphasizes the enduring power of music, trust, and remembrance, connecting past and present generations through its melodies.

The Auschwitz Violin carries a poignant story of survival and resilience. This violin was made in the workshop of Schweitzer in Germany around 1850. During World War II, it belonged to an inmate who played in the men's orchestra at the Auschwitz concentration camp, providing a rare glimmer of humanity amid unimaginable suffering.

Abraham Davidowitz, a Jewish refugee, acquired the violin after the war under remarkable circumstances. While working for the Joint Distribution Committee in post-war Germany, Davidowitz was approached by a man who, due to financial hardship, sold him the violin for $50. Davidowitz intended the instrument to be a gift for his son, Freddy, when he grew up.

Over time, the Auschwitz Violin was restored by the Weinsteins, founders of the Violins of Hope project. This violin has since been played by renowned musicians across the world, bringing its story to life in concerts and exhibitions. Its legacy stands as a testament to the power of music in the face of atrocity and serves as a tribute to those who endured the horrors of Auschwitz.

The Bielski Violin is a German-made instrument, crafted around 1870. This violin holds significant historical and cultural value, connected to the renowned Bielski partisans, a Jewish resistance group that operated in Belarus during World War II. The partisans, led by the Bielski brothers, notably rescued over 1,200 Jews from Nazi persecution, embodying a legacy of defiance, survival, and solidarity.

Amnon Weinstein, the visionary behind the Violins of Hope project, has a personal connection to the Bielski story. His wife, Assaela Weinstein, is the daughter of Assael Bielski, one of the founders of the Bielski Brigade. Through the restoration and inclusion of this violin in the collection, the project not only commemorates the lives saved but also honors the bravery and resilience of those who fought against oppression.

The Bielski Violin is more than just a musical instrument; it is a symbolic tribute to the power of resistance and hope. It represents the endurance of Jewish cultural traditions, even in the face of near-total annihilation during the Holocaust. Featuring a mother-of-pearl Star of David, the violin reflects the deep-rooted connection between Jewish heritage and music, which served as both comfort and resistance during one of history's darkest periods.

Today, the Bielski Violin continues to inspire audiences as it plays in concerts worldwide. Its restoration ensures that the stories of courage, hope, and survival associated with it resonate across generations, reaffirming the role of art and music in fostering unity and remembrance.

The Morpurgo Violin carries with it a powerful story of resilience and survival. Gualtiero Morpurgo, the head of an ancient Jewish family from Milan, Italy, received the violin as a gift from his mother during his youth. She told him that the violin would help him during desperate times and open new opportunities, giving the instrument personal and symbolic significance.

During the Holocaust, Gualtiero was deported to a forced labor camp, while his mother was sent to Auschwitz. Despite the harsh conditions, he managed to keep the violin with him. Playing Bach's Partitas on the violin helped him maintain hope and strength even when freezing temperatures made playing almost impossible. The instrument served as a lifeline in moments of despair, connecting Gualtiero with his love for music and providing solace during the most difficult times.

After the war, Gualtiero's life took a new direction as he used his engineering skills to build ships for Aliya Bet, aiding Holocaust survivors in their journey to British Mandate Palestine. His contributions earned him the Medal of Jerusalem in 1992, presented by Yitzhak Rabin. Gualtiero continued playing the violin throughout his long life, performing into his late nineties. After his passing in 2012, his family decided to donate the violin to the Violins of Hope collection, ensuring that it continues to inspire and tell the story of courage and perseverance in the face of unimaginable hardships.

The Berlin Violin carries not only the rich sound of music but also the tumultuous history of persecution and survival. Erich Winkel, a committed communist and talented violinist, acquired the violin from a Romani musician while playing in a communist youth orchestra in the early 1930s in Berlin. This orchestra faced constant attacks by Nazi aggressors, even before the regime fully came to power, making the violin a silent witness to early anti-fascist resistance.

Winkel cherished the instrument and preserved it through many challenges, valuing it both as a musical tool and a symbol of defiance. After years of attacks and resistance, the violin remained intact and continued to play a vital role in Winkel's life. In 2015, during a commemorative concert held by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra on International Holocaust Day, the violin was officially added to the Violins of Hope collection. The event marked the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, and the violin symbolized resilience amidst tragedy.

Through the Violins of Hope initiative, the Berlin Violin continues to tell its story. It honors the memory of persecuted communities, including Jewish and Romani people, who suffered under Nazi rule. Today, it plays in concerts around the world, representing not only Erich Winkel's personal journey but also the broader narrative of survival and hope that transcends generations.

This exceptional violin, crafted in 1884 by the Brooklyn maker Collton, pays tribute to the extraordinary courage of Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds. Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Edmonds served with the 106th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army during World War II. Captured during the Battle of the Bulge, he was held as a prisoner of war at Stalag IXA near Ziegenhain, Germany.

On January 27, 1945, Edmonds faced an unimaginable moral challenge when the Nazis ordered all Jewish POWs in the camp to step forward. As the highest-ranking American soldier present, Edmonds commanded the 1,292 U.S. captives under his authority to assemble with him and declared boldly, “We are all Jews here.” His defiant act of solidarity and bravery protected the lives of over 200 Jewish soldiers, refusing to comply even when his own life was threatened.

For his remarkable heroism, Edmonds was recognized by Israel as Righteous Among the Nations—the first American soldier and the first to save American Jews to receive this honor. He remains one of only five Americans ever awarded this distinction, standing as a powerful symbol of resistance against antisemitism, racism, and hatred.

This violin, named in his honor, serves as a lasting reminder of Edmonds’ legacy: the courage to stand for justice, even in the face of great personal risk. It connects the story of Edmonds’ heroism with the enduring message of hope, unity, and the fight against oppression.

The Max Beker Violin commemorates the life and resilience of Max Beker, a gifted violinist from Vilna, Poland, whose music brought light to some of the darkest moments of history. Born into a family with a rich musical legacy—his grandfather conducted the Czar’s brass band—Max’s early life revolved around music, playing alongside his father and brother to support their family.

Drafted into the Polish army in 1939, Max’s life took a harrowing turn when he became a prisoner of war on September 18, 1939, during the outbreak of World War II. Jewish POWs were separated and subjected to brutal labor in mines at Stalag VIIIA near Silesia. Despite the grim conditions, Max’s fortunes shifted when friends from Vilna collected funds to purchase him a violin. This act of solidarity enabled him to join the camp orchestra, where his music provided solace to both himself and others.

After his liberation by American forces, Max met and married Fannia, a pianist who survived the Dachau concentration camp with her sister Henia, a singer. Together, they rebuilt their lives after the devastating loss of Max’s parents and six siblings, all of whom perished in Vilna. Max continued his musical journey in a Displaced Persons Camp at St. Ottilien, where he played in an orchestra formed by Holocaust survivors. In 1948, the orchestra performed under the baton of Leonard Bernstein, bringing dignity and hope to survivors through the power of music.

Max Beker’s story is preserved in Symphony of Fire, a book written by his daughter, and his violin now travels the world as part of the Violins of Hope project. It stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of music to heal, inspire, and unite even in the face of profound loss and suffering.

The hauntingly beautiful “Violin of the Flowers,” JHV 86 Katrin, embodies the resilience of hope and the weight of memory. Its story begins in a quiet Belgian village during World War II, where music would often drift from the windows of a small house. The source of the music was a young Jewish boy who had fled Poland, carrying with him little more than his cherished violin.

One day, the music stopped. The boy disappeared, reportedly arrested by the Germans, and his violin was left behind in his rented room, lying silently on the bed. The hosting family, moved by the boy’s fate, kept the violin and later gave it to their niece, Catherine, who had dreams of learning music. Catherine, however, learned of the violin’s tragic history and chose to honor its silence, leaving it in its case and adorning it with wildflowers as a memorial to the boy who could no longer play it.

For decades, the violin remained unplayed. Catherine, now elderly and in declining health, came across a broadcast about the “Violins of Hope” project and felt compelled to ensure the violin’s story would endure. Determined not to let it end up forgotten in a flea market, she contacted Amnon Weinstein, the renowned Israeli violinmaker dedicated to restoring instruments connected to the Holocaust. Despite her frailty, Catherine made the journey to Brussels to personally deliver the violin to Weinstein’s friends for its transport to Israel.

When the violin arrived at Weinstein’s workshop, a surprising discovery awaited. Inside the instrument were the dried remnants of the wildflowers Catherine had lovingly placed years earlier. Inspired by this gesture, Weinstein restored the violin, embedding the flowers within its body as a living tribute to its history. Thus, the violin became the “Violin of the Flowers,” a symbol of enduring hope, love, and memory.

JHV 86 Katrin now sings once again, its voice part of the Violins of Hope concerts and exhibitions that connect the past to the present. It stands as a moving testament to the power of music to preserve stories, honor lives lost, and inspire future generations to resist hatred and remember the strength of the human spirit.

The Dachau Violin holds a profound connection to the horrors of World War II and the resilience of the human spirit. This instrument was originally owned by Abram Merczynski, a Jewish man who, along with his brothers, was deported from the ghetto in Lodz, Poland, to Auschwitz in August 1944, and later to Dachau concentration camp. Despite the brutal conditions, Abram managed to keep his violin with him throughout these harrowing experiences.

Abram's violin served as more than a possession; it was a symbol of hope and a lifeline in a world marked by suffering. In Dachau and its subcamp, Kaufering, he would play music, keeping alive a semblance of humanity amidst the atrocities. His music became a way to endure and resist the overwhelming despair of the camps.

After the war, Abram and his brothers lived in Munich, staying with a German family, the Sesars, who helped them rebuild their lives. Abram later passed the violin to Julius Sesar, a young boy in the family, as a gesture of gratitude. Years later, Sesar entrusted the violin to Eberhard Thiessen, a violin-maker, who ensured the instrument found its place in the Violins of Hope collection.

The Dachau Violin, now fully restored, continues to tell Abram's story. It is not merely an instrument but a testament to survival, friendship, and the enduring power of music to provide solace during the darkest times. The violin's presence in concerts around the world serves as a poignant reminder of those who suffered, those who resisted, and those who never gave up hope.

The Vanderveen Violin, a French Mirecourt instrument crafted in the 1920s, tells the remarkable story of Joyce Vanderveen, a gifted artist and Holocaust survivor whose life was shaped by resilience, creativity, and perseverance. Born in Amsterdam in 1927 to Rachel, a Jewish seamstress, and Jan, a sculptor, Joyce excelled as a child prodigy in ballet, violin, painting, and writing. By age 9, she was conducting a children’s orchestra and performing at festivals. Her grandfather’s thoughtful gift of a small, elegant violin, matched to her redheaded complexion, became a treasured companion.

In 1940, when Joyce was just 13, the Nazis invaded Holland, altering her life forever. Joyce’s family fled Amsterdam on bicycles with no tires, seeking refuge with impoverished farm families. Throughout these harrowing years, Joyce kept her violin with her, playing whenever she could to bring some solace amid the chaos. Despite suffering from scarlet fever and living under harsh conditions, Joyce survived, though much of her extended family, including her grandmother, was lost to the Holocaust.

After the war, Joyce pursued her dream of becoming a professional dancer, rising to fame as a star of the Royal Netherlands Ballet and later performing with the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas. Her career took her across 19 countries and earned her acclaim from European royalty. In 1950, she moved to the United States with a special artist’s visa signed by Senator John F. Kennedy. Joyce achieved further success in Hollywood, appearing in films and TV shows, including The Ten Commandments.

Despite her many accomplishments, Joyce never forgot the violin that had been her companion during the darkest moments of her life. She loaned it to one of her students, Ilya Burkov, who returned it 19 years later. The violin remained under Joyce’s bed for decades, until it was rediscovered in 2021 with the help of Dr. Noreen Green and the Violins of Hope project. Joyce’s final wish was to see her violin bring joy to others and ensure its story endured.

In October 2021, the Vanderveen Violin was formally donated to the Violins of Hope in a ceremony held at the Library of Congress, attended by Maestra Green and representatives from the King of the Netherlands Embassy. This violin, imbued with Joyce’s remarkable journey of survival and triumph, continues to inspire audiences worldwide as a testament to the power of music and the human spirit.

The Barns Violin holds a deep historical significance tied to the atrocities faced by Jewish communities during the Holocaust. This violin serves as a poignant reminder of the horrors inflicted during the pogroms that occurred in Polish villages and shtetls, including Jedwabne, Radzilow, Szczuczyn, and Kolno. These brutal events saw Jewish residents subjected to public humiliation, torture, and mass murder at the hands of their neighbors. In one of the most infamous incidents, the Jedwabne Pogrom, approximately 1,600 Jews were forced into a barn and burned alive, with only seven survivors emerging from the tragedy.

The Barns Violin symbolizes the resilience and cultural survival of Jewish music and spirit during these dark times. Its presence in the Violins of Hope collection pays tribute not only to the memory of the victims but also to the enduring power of music as a form of resistance, hope, and preservation of identity. The violin, although silent today, carries with it the weight of history and stands as a testament to the strength and endurance of those who perished and those who survived to share their stories.

Restoring this violin was not just an act of preservation but an effort to breathe life back into the music that was nearly extinguished by hate. Through the Violins of Hope initiative, the Barns Violin continues to inspire audiences worldwide, serving as a solemn reminder of the past and a symbol of the ongoing commitment to remember, educate, and advocate for a world free of hate and prejudice.

The Friedman Violin carries with it a poignant story of family, survival, and resilience. The violin belonged to a Jewish family during World War II, where it was shared between two sisters, aged 9 and 11, who took music lessons together. Their mother ensured that the girls practiced daily, fostering a love for music in the family.

During the Holocaust, the family's world was torn apart. While being transported between different locations, the two sisters were separated from their parents. The parents, however, managed to keep the violin as a treasured memento of their daughters' talent and passion. Despite the chaos and uncertainty of the war, the violin remained a symbol of hope and connection to the family's past.

After the war, the two sisters were sent to Palestine through Aliyat HaNoar, a children's immigration program. The journey was not without challenges—they were intercepted by British authorities and sent to a camp in Cyprus. However, they were eventually reunited with their parents, and the violin became a cherished object that survived alongside them, representing endurance and the power of music through unimaginable hardship. The Friedman Violin, now part of the Violins of Hope, continues to share this story of love, survival, and the human spirit.

The Erich Weininger Violin carries a poignant story of survival and resilience during the Holocaust. The violin was made in the workshop of Schweitzer in Germany around 1870, a time when the instrument's craftsmanship was highly regarded. It was owned by Erich Weininger, an amateur violinist and butcher from Vienna, who took the violin with him on a harrowing journey through the darkest chapters of World War II.

Weininger's life took a tragic turn in 1938, when Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany. He was arrested and sent to the Dachau concentration camp. Despite the unimaginable hardships, Erich managed to hold onto his beloved violin throughout his imprisonment. The instrument, although silent for much of his time in captivity, symbolized a connection to his previous life and hope for a future beyond the horrors of war.

After being transferred from Dachau to Buchenwald, Erich miraculously secured his release with the help of the Quakers. He fled Nazi-controlled Europe and, after several detours, eventually reached the British Mandate of Palestine. While en route, he was detained in Mauritius by British authorities restricting Jewish immigration. During his time in Mauritius, Erich formed a musical group, using his violin to perform classical, jazz, and local music, bringing moments of joy to fellow detainees.

Following the war, Erich Weininger settled in Palestine and continued his passion for music. His violin, a testament to survival and the enduring spirit of art, was later donated by his son, Zeev, to the Violins of Hope project. The instrument now stands as a tribute to those who endured the Holocaust and serves as a reminder of the power of music to sustain hope, even in the bleakest of circumstances.

The Moshe Weinstein Violin was crafted by Johann Gottlieb Ficker around 1803. This violin, named after Moshe Weinstein, represents not only the history of a master craftsman but also the deep personal journey of one of the most influential figures in the world of violins. Weinstein, born in Eastern Europe, fell in love with the violin at a young age when he first heard klezmer music at a wedding in his shtetl.

Weinstein's passion for the violin grew, and after teaching himself how to play, he went on to study music at the academy in Vilna, where he also met his future wife, Golda. They later immigrated to Palestine in 1938, escaping the growing threat in Europe. Upon arriving, Moshe first worked as a laborer but soon opened a violin shop in Tel Aviv, which became a cornerstone for supporting young musicians, including future virtuosos like Yitzhak Perlman and Pinchas Zukerman.

This violin embodies Weinstein's story of resilience, love for music, and dedication to the arts. After escaping Europe's turmoil, Moshe's shop in Tel Aviv played a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of Jewish musicians. Restored and played in concerts worldwide, the Moshe Weinstein Violin is a tribute to his lifelong commitment to preserving and sharing the gift of music, even amidst the darkest times.

The Sandor Fisher Violin holds a profound story of survival, resilience, and the enduring power of music. Sandor Fisher was born in Romania in 1919, and from the age of six, he studied violin, alongside singing and acting. However, with the rise of World War II and increasing persecution, his life was dramatically altered. Fisher adopted the name Farago Sandor to avoid Nazi detection and was eventually sent to a work camp in place of his father.

During his time in the labor camp, Sandor's violin became more than just an instrument—it was his lifeline. He played music to entertain officers and smuggled food to his fellow prisoners, providing both nourishment and hope. In 1944, Fisher managed to escape the camp and joined Soviet forces, contributing to the war effort.

After the war, Sandor married Valeria Teichner, another Holocaust survivor, and the couple emigrated to Israel. They built a life together, raising children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Throughout his life, Sandor never parted with his violin, playing it until his final days. Today, the Sandor Fisher Violin is part of the Violins of Hope collection, symbolizing the endurance of the human spirit through music, even in the darkest of times.

The Haftel Violin was crafted by the renowned violin maker August Darte around 1870 in Mirecourt, France. This violin is closely tied to Zvi Haftel, a distinguished musician who became the first concertmaster of the Palestine Orchestra, later known as the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

Zvi Haftel was one of the many talented musicians displaced by Nazi racial laws, which stripped Jewish musicians of their positions in prominent orchestras across Europe. In 1936, he was recruited by Bronislav Hubermann, a visionary violinist who founded the Palestine Orchestra to rescue Jewish musicians and provide them with a safe haven and a platform to continue their artistry.

Haftel's violin became a symbol of both survival and excellence. Through the initiative of Hubermann, many musicians and their families escaped the horrors of the Holocaust, finding refuge in what would become the state of Israel. The violin, with its impeccable craftsmanship and deep historical connection, is now featured in the Violins of Hope collection. It serves as a testament to the resilience of those who fought to preserve their art in the face of oppression and adversity.

The Haftel Violin continues to be played in concerts worldwide, sharing its story of survival and hope. Through its performances, audiences are reminded of the power of music to transcend time and tragedy, keeping alive the memory of those who used their talents to resist and endure.

Violette Silberstein’s violin embodies a story of resilience, survival, and the enduring power of music. Violette was born into a family of Hungarian immigrants in Le Havre, France, where her mother encouraged her to take violin lessons, emphasizing the unpredictability of life. Perhaps inspired by a female orchestra she had seen at a local café, Violette’s mother envisioned music as a potential career or lifeline. Despite their modest means, Violette’s father paid for her lessons by bartering his tailoring skills, crafting jackets for her violin teacher, Mr. Henri Lhomel, a second violinist in the Le Havre theater orchestra. Over seven years, Violette honed her craft, unaware of the role it would play in saving her life.

During World War II, Violette’s family faced persecution under Nazi occupation. Forced to flee from Normandy to Paris and later Lille, they lived as illegal fugitives until their arrest by the Gestapo on July 1, 1943. Deported to Auschwitz, Violette was separated from her parents and branded with the number 51937. Her violin skills became her salvation when she auditioned for the women’s orchestra led by Alma Rosé. Though initially rejected, Alma later accepted her, and Violette became part of the orchestra, which performed under harrowing conditions for SS officers.

Music offered a lifeline. When Violette’s clogs were stolen, Alma Rosé intervened, securing her place in the orchestra and shielding her from the unimaginable horrors of the camp. During a bout with typhus, Alma ensured Violette received extra rations and care, helping her recover. These acts of kindness and the sanctuary of the orchestra gave Violette a chance to survive.

In the final months of the war, Violette was transferred to Bergen-Belsen, where she was liberated on April 15, 1945. Returning to Le Havre, she found her violin and reclaimed her life. Post-war, Violette performed in cabarets, ran a restaurant in Toulon, and shared her story with schools to educate future generations about the Holocaust. She passed away in Paris on January 28, 2014, at the age of 88.

In 2019, Violette’s children discovered the Violins of Hope project, and on November 19, 2022, they donated her violin to Amnon Weinstein during a concert at Salle Gaveau in Paris. The violin was played during the event, performing “La Méditation de Thaïs,” 83 years after Violette last held it. Now part of the Violins of Hope, this instrument continues to honor Violette’s legacy, resonating as a powerful symbol of survival, courage, and the enduring spirit of those who lived through the Holocaust.

The Ole Dahl Violin, an early Hopf instrument dating to the late 18th or early 19th century, carries a story of courage, craftsmanship, and compassion. Ole Dahl was born in 1919 in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he began training as a violin maker at Emil Hjorth and Sons in the late 1930s. His violin accompanied him through a life defined by resilience and artistry, serving as a source of solace during one of history’s darkest periods.

When World War II broke out, Ole joined the Danish Navy, only to be interned by the Germans after Denmark’s occupation. Determined to fight back, he became an active member of the Danish Resistance, engaging in acts of sabotage against Nazi forces. Ole participated in critical missions, including blowing up train tracks and hiding Danish Jews to protect them from deportation. As a member of the elite unit “Korps Agesin,” he risked his life to oppose the Nazi regime. Amid the chaos, his violin provided moments of peace, grounding him in his love of music even as he fought for freedom.

After Denmark’s liberation, Ole joined the British Army, serving as a Trooper in a Royal Tank Regiment. During this time, he met and married Diana Parry in England, and in 1947, they immigrated to the United States to begin a new chapter. Ole brought his expertise as a violin maker to America, working with prestigious shops such as Lyon & Healy and Kenneth Warren & Sons before establishing his own shop in Bloomington, Indiana. Encouraged by world-renowned musicians Janos Starker and Josef Gingold, Ole became a trusted craftsman for the Indiana University School of Music and a mentor to aspiring violinists.

Throughout his life, Ole maintained a delicate balance between his past as a Resistance fighter and his kind, gentle demeanor as a violin maker. He often lamented selling a valuable Landolfi violin to finance his move to America but later acquired a Ruggieri violin, which he generously lent to talented students. His dedication to music and community left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him.

In honor of his remarkable journey, Ole’s family—Christian and Peter Dahl—donated his treasured Hopf violin to the Violins of Hope project. This instrument, tied to a legacy of bravery and artistry, now serves as a testament to the power of music to endure through adversity and as a symbol of hope and humanity in the face of oppression.

The violin of Paul Leeser tells the story of a man who escaped the horrors of Nazi Germany, only to return as a liberator and soldier in the fight against tyranny. Born in 1921 in Hanborn, Germany, Paul emigrated with his family to the United States in 1937 as conditions for Jews in Germany worsened. In America, he built a new life, training as a mechanical engineer at the University of Cincinnati and working in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Paul’s life took another turn during World War II, when he enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces. As a native German speaker, he served behind enemy lines, contributing to the Allied effort to defeat the Nazis. After the war, Paul settled into a peaceful life, but his violin—a German-made instrument crafted around 1898—remained a quiet testament to his personal journey.

The violin, discovered by his daughter Linda after Paul’s death in 1981, was tucked away in a closet. Linda had always known her father played but knew little of his musical past. When she learned about the Violins of Hope project, she felt a profound sense of purpose in donating the instrument, calling it an act of cosmic timing. Alongside the violin, she contributed Paul’s photo album, deepening the historical context of his story.

The instrument itself bears the marks of its history. It has a crack in the wood, and the bow’s strings are frayed from years of neglect. Now entrusted to Violins of Hope, the violin will undergo careful restoration by luthier Avshalom Weinstein, ensuring it can once again sing its story of resilience and survival.

Scheduled to be featured in exhibitions before returning to Israel, JHV 89 represents more than just Paul Leeser’s personal journey. It stands as a tribute to all who have used music as a source of solace, hope, and strength in the face of persecution and war. This violin, like the man who once played it, reflects the enduring power of art and humanity to rise above darkness and bring light to future generations.

The Pavel Zalud violin tells the poignant story of a family whose artistry and craftsmanship left an indelible mark on European music history before being extinguished by the Holocaust. The Zalud family, originally from Nove Straseci in Western Czechoslovakia, established a legacy of fine instrument making spanning generations.

Waclaw Zalud (1803–1881), the family patriarch, trained under the noted musician and instrument maker Franz Czermark. In 1844, Waclaw founded a musical instrument factory in Terezin, which quickly gained renown across Europe. His son Edward and grandson Pavel continued the family business, expanding its scope to include not only wooden instruments such as clarinets and flutes but also brass instruments, all celebrated for their impeccable craftsmanship and rich tonal quality.

By the 1930s, Pavel Zalud had taken over the factory, steering the family business into a golden age of instrument making. However, this flourishing enterprise came to a tragic end in 1941 when the Nazis occupied Czechoslovakia, closed the factory, and deported the Zalud family to the Terezin Ghetto. Pavel, along with his family, perished in the Ghetto or later in Auschwitz. Though their lives were cut short, their instruments survived, bearing silent witness to their artistry and resilience.

Today, the legacy of the Zalud family is preserved through meticulous restoration and dedication. Italian journalist and musician Matteo Corradini has spent years documenting the history of Terezin musicians and the Zalud instruments. In 2013, Corradini formed the Pavel Zalud Memorial Quartet and Zalud Orchestra, which perform music composed in the Ghetto on restored Zalud instruments, bringing their story to life for modern audiences.

This violin serves as both a musical treasure and a tribute to the Zalud family’s extraordinary contributions to the art of instrument making. Its inclusion in the Violins of Hope project ensures that their legacy endures, honoring the power of music to transcend tragedy and connect us to the humanity and creativity of those who came before.