Symphony of the Americas Chamber Ensemble played Violins of Hope, teaching the Holocaust through music and culture
The Holocaust Documentation and Education Center and Museum (HDECM) held the Grand Opening of their newest exhibition, “Violins of Hope,” on Sunday, January 7, 2023. More than 500 guests attended the impactful program, featuring an exhibition of over 70 violins, violas and cellos that were rescued and restored from the Holocaust, and a concert by the Symphony of Americas Chamber Ensemble using the instruments.
Each instrument was once cherished by Jewish musicians and witnessed the horrors of the Holocaust. Whether it’s the violin thrown from a cattle car en route to Auschwitz, the violin buried under snow in Holland, or the violin that became a lifeline for those playing in a concentration camp orchestra, each one tells a powerful story and carries a profound essence of hope and resilience.
The instruments were restored by Amnon and Avshalom (Avshi) Weinstein, a father and son team of violin makers, based in Israel.
“The concert was very unique as it was the first time we have had all the violins in one exhibit. Hearing them played in the same space had such a strong impact,” stated Avshi Weinstein, luthier.
The Symphony of the Americas Chamber Ensemble, led by Concertmaster and Conductor Scott Flavin, performed moving pieces using the “Violins of Hope.” Renowned violinist Scott Flavin debuted an original composition titled “Remembrance, Resistance, and Hope,” which he crafted specifically for the exhibition’s Grand Opening. Avshi Weinstein narrated the deeply moving stories behind each violin, explaining their significance in the musical repertoire.
The exhibition is hosted at the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center until April 14. To schedule an appointment for a tour, guests should complete this tour request form or call 954-929-5690 x 314.
About the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center and Museum (HDECM):
The Holocaust Documentation and Education Center and Museum (HDECM) is a nonsectarian, nonprofit, committed to preserving the authentic memory of the Holocaust. Through thought-provoking exhibitions, engaging programming and extensive educational outreach, the HDECM is dedicated to enlightening visitors on the history, lessons and legacy of the Holocaust.
In October 2023, the HDECM unveiled its cutting-edge Interactive Learning Center, featuring smart tables, six oral history stations with access to over 55,000 Oral Histories from the USC Shoah Foundation and the HDECM and two mini theatres to showcase the USC Shoah Foundation’s produced Dimensions in Testimony (DITs) of Holocaust Survivors. This trailblazing technology allows visitors the unique opportunity to engage in conversation with two of South Florida’s Holocaust Survivors for years to come and learn about the Holocaust in a new way.
The Museum’s two anchor artifacts include an authenticated Holocaust rail car and a U.S. Army M-4A3E8 Sherman Tank, as well as oral history interviews, photographs, documents, journals, books, videos, and other invaluable items that serve as poignant reminders of this critical chapter in history.
For more information about the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center and Museum, please visit www.hdec.org.
About Symphony of the Americas
Symphony of the Americas entered its 36th season with the 2023-2024 concert series. With long-established roots and partnerships between South and Central America, and The Symphony’s home in South Florida, Symphony of the Americas is The Americas’ Symphonic Cultural Voice. The Symphony is committed to serving South Florida’s multicultural population with diverse programming – a cultural crossroads of music, ranging from classics, Tango, and jazz to Broadway. The concert seasons have featured guest artists including: award-winning bandoneon player and composer from Argentina Juan Pablo Jofre, acclaimed Spanish-born violinist Francisco Fullana, guitarist Rafael Aguirre, Emmy Award-winner and Tony nominated actress, singer and recording artist, Liz Callaway, among many others.
The beloved cultural institution has enriched the communities of South Florida & The Americas for decades. It is essential to recognize the immense cultural and artistic significance of The Symphony. It serves as a beacon of artistic excellence, providing a platform for our musicians and a venue for the cultivation of their craft. The Symphony is not only a showcase of virtuosic performers, but also serves as a vital resource for aspiring musicians. Symphony of the Americas performed the inaugural concerts of the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in 1991.
Symphony of the Americas continues to perform at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in the Amaturo Theater. For more upcoming performances and tickets visit www.sota.org
