Violins of Hope, a powerful collection of 70 restored string instruments played by Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust, will be in Minnesota in May and June 2026. These extraordinary violins will be featured in local performances, exhibitions, and educational programs that honor the memory of the Holocaust and carry a message of hope, resilience, resistance, and unity.
About
Violins of Hope
Israeli violinmakers, Amnon (z”l) and Avshalom Weinstein, have spent the last 20 years collecting and repairing 70 Holocaust-era violins and other stringed instruments from around the world, some with the Star of David on the back and others with names and dates inscribed within the instrument. Together, they have lovingly located and restored the violins to reclaim their lost heritage, give voice to the victims, and reinforce essential messages of hope, harmony, and humanity.
Violins of Hope has been featured in books, print, film, and television. They have been used in lectures and educational programs worldwide, exhibited in museums, and triumphantly played in concert halls around the globe. Through performances, exhibitions, and educational series, the instruments have impacted and inspired hundreds of thousands of people of all ages.
Violins of Hope has traveled across the globe and has been featured in Rome, Tel Aviv, London, Washington D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and many other cities.
Minnesota Violins of Hope
Schedule of Events
MAY – JUNE 2026
Sunday, May 3 – Opening Reception, Gallery Opening and JCC Symphony Performance at Minnesota JCC Sabes Center
May 3 – June 30 – Exhibitions at the Minnesota JCC Capp and Sabes Centers
Tuesday, May 5 – Temple Israel VOICES Concert with Itzhak Perlman, violin and Avshalom Weinstein
Saturday, May 9 – B’nai Israel Synagogue, Rochester, Minnesota
Saturday, May 9 – June 30 – Exhibition at the Museum of Russian Art
Sunday, May 10 – Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies Philharmonic led by Mark Russell Smith
Thursday, May 14 – Westminster Town Hall Forum
Friday, May 15 – Sunday, May 17 – Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Friday, May 15 – Adath Jeshurun Congregation Yom Yerushalayim and Shabbat service
Wednesday, May 20 – JCC Symphony Concert with soloist Marc Levine, violin at Minnesota JCC Capp Center
Thursday, May 21 – Film, Reception, and Artist Talk/Book Signing by Daniel Levin at Minnesota JCC Sabes Center
Sunday, May 31 – Chamber music concert at Sundin Hall, Hamline University
Sunday, June 7 – Sunday, June 14 – Concert, Talks, and Exhibition at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral
Thursday, June 11 – Mount Zion Temple
Sunday, June 21 – Plymouth Congregational Church
Monday, June 22 – Minnesota Sinfonia at Sholom Home West (Open Rehearsal)
Monday, June 22 – Minnesota Sinfonia String Quartet at Bethel University
Tuesday, June 23 – Wayzata Community Church
Tuesday, June 23 – Panel and Talks at Augsburg University
Tuesday, June 23 – Minnesota Sinfonia at Augsburg University
Wednesday, June 24 – Minnesota Sinfonia at Plymouth Congregational Church
Thursday, June 25 – Minnesota Sinfonia at Wayzata Community Church
Friday, June 26 – Minnesota Sinfonia at First Covenant Church
Sunday, June 28 – Minnesota Sinfonia at Bethel University
Monday, June 29 – Minnesota Sinfonia at Sholom Home East
Media and Marketing
For the latest updates and information about Violins of Hope Minnesota, visit ViolinsofhopeMN.org.
For media inquiries, please contact Katie Kline, Senior Director of Jewish Arts & Culture at the Minnesota JCC, at katiek@minnesotajcc.org.
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS:
Family Legacy Sponsor
The Eiger & Zaidenweber Families
Chazak Sponsors
Martin & Esther
Capp Family Fund
of the St. Paul Foundation
Chazak Sponsors
Kris & John MacDonald
Chazak Sponsors
The PBJ Memorial Fund
Chai Sponsors
Wendy and Steve Baldinger
Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas
Minneapolis Jewish Federation
RBC Wealth Management
Temple Israel
Waldman, Belzer, Roether Family
Kehilah Sponsors
Anonymous
Davidman Family
Bruce Goodman
Lapidus, Weinstein, Witzke Family
Rosanne Nathanson