Sponsor Violins of Hope
As ashes of the Holocaust fell to the ground, hope rose from the strings of violins. The East Bay Holocaust Education
(EBHEC) is honored to bring Violins of Hope back to Livermore in the San Francisco East Bay in October to November 2026. Violins of Hope is a collection of restored violins that were played by Jewish musicians during the
Holocaust. These instruments have survived concentration camps, ghettos, pogroms and many long journeys to tell
remarkable stories of injustice, suffering, resilience and survival. The collection was assembled and restored by Israeli
master violin maker, Amnon Weinstein, and his son, Avshi Weinstein.
In some cases, the ability to play the violin spared Jewish musicians from more grueling labors or death. Nearly
50 years ago, Amnon heard such a story from a Holocaust survivor who brought him a violin for restoration. This
man survived the Holocaust because his job was to play the violin while Nazi soldiers marched others to their
deaths. When Amnon opened the violin’s case, he saw ashes. He thought of his own relatives who had perished
and was overwhelmed. Amnon put out a call for violins from the Holocaust that he would restore in hopes that the
instruments would sound again. Violins of Hope was born.
This life-changing program will reach tens of thousands of people in our region through unique, inspirational, and interfaith multimedia events that will include:
Education
During October to November 2026, Avshalom Weinstein, a Violins of Hope founder, and musicians will tour East Bay middle and high schools, as well as other organizations, with the Violins of Hope. This life changing educational program will reach tens of thousands of students and adults and emphasize messages of hope, tolerance, and resilience through music, bringing the violins’ stories alive.
Exhibitions
Violins of Hope East Bay will be exhibited at the Bankhead Theatre in Livermore from October to November 2026. This educational and historical exhibition will lead visitors through the horrors of the Holocaust as well as the hope of the violins with a message of tolerance and resilience.
Performances
In October 2026, the Violins of Hope will be played by Take3 in two performances at the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center’s (LVPAC) Bankhead Theatre.