Yom Hashoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day 2018
(begins – sundown 4/11)
Amnon Weinstein with a restored Star of David violin*
For Jews enduring utter despair and unimaginable evil during the Holocaust, music offered haven and humanity. The strains of a beloved song supplied solace, even if only for a few moments. The chords also provided a vital reminder that even the most brutal regime could not rob them of their faith. No matter what, their souls could be free.In some cases, the ability to play the violin spared Jewish musicians from more grueling labors or even death. Nearly 50 years ago, Amnon Weinstein heard such a story from a customer who brought in an instrument for restoration. The customer survived the Holocaust because his job was to play the violin while Nazi soldiers marched others to their deaths. When Weinstein opened the violin’s case, he saw ashes. He thought of his own relatives who had perished, and was overwhelmed. He could not bring himself to begin the project.
By 1996, Weinstein was ready. He put out a call for violins from the Holocaust that he would restore in hopes that the instruments would sound again. (from: Violins of Hope)
*Photo by Debra Yasinow
Music has a way of soothing the soul, doesn’t it? I love this post because I didn’t know about the violins. I knew about the slaves’ music in America, having the same healing balm amidst adversity. Sad so many people are tortured in various ways for being born a certain way.
So true…
Thank you Jen for stopping by and commenting.
The Holocaust was tragic. We should also remember the Palestinian refugees.
Agreed.
Hugs to both of you.
Just got to this today. Very moving, powerful.
So much is spoken through those violins even now.
Thank you for sharing! 🙂
You’re welcome.
Such a beautiful and moving piece, Laura. Thanks for sharing.
You’re more than welcome, Jill.
Thank you, Laura. A powerful and important story. The violin… in the words of Hans Christian Anderson, “Where words fail, music speaks.”
Indeed.
Heart-piercing music that breaks your heart in so many ways. Yes, we must never forget.
The Holocaust from the perspective of the musicians and their spirit living on through their instruments…
Very moving. Thank you for sharing this with us.
No matter what, the spirit lives on…
Thank you for bringing this story to our attention, Laura. So much cruelty has existed in the world and truly, unfortunately, said cruelty will continue. Let us strengthen the loving kindness that exists within each of us so that kindness will reign, instead of hatred.
Irene, excellent sentiment and I know you live that to the best of your ability.
Thanks for an inspiring post
Thank you for your consideration of it.
I think music is the most emotive of all the arts, and in that setting even more so.
Absolutely.
What a beautiful project. Just listening to the music in the video was incredibly powerful and incredibly sad. I could feel the sadness welling up within me.
Very moving, yes.