String instruments rescued from the Holocaust sing again in Fairfield County
Violins of Hope collaborates with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra for a unique performance on November 16 at Norwalk City Hall
A collection of string instruments rescued from the Holocaust will be featured in a unique performance by the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra (NSO) on Nov. 16. The one-night-only event serves as the centerpiece of a week-long Fairfield County visit filled with cultural exhibits, performances, and community education with a message of hope, resilience, and unity. The concert is the highlight of the first-ever local visit of Violins of Hope, which will appear at high schools, synagogues and churches throughout Greater Fairfield County.
Violins of Hope is a private collection of violins, violas and cellos painstakingly restored by the late Amnon Weinstein and his son Avshalom, violinmakers based in Tel Aviv and Istanbul. The instruments belonged to Jews before and during the Holocaust, and in some cases were played in concentration camps or desperately thrown from cattle cars in a bid to preserve them from the Nazis.
“With the startling rise of antisemitism and swastikas etched on lockers in our schools, our role in the community is more important than ever,” said Shelley Kreiger, founding director of the Holocaust Resource Center of the Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County. “The Nazis used music to humiliate and degrade Jews in ghettos and camps. The NSO concert, and the entire Violins of Hope program, are the ultimate answer to their plan to annihilate a people and instead represent the victory of the human spirit over evil and hatred.”
“Norwalk Symphony Orchestra is truly honored to join with the Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County to bring music to life using the Violins of Hope for our community,” said Sandra Miklave, NSO’s executive director. “We know the healing power of music, and this is multiplied as we play these truly historic instruments. It will be a meaningful and uplifting experience for both the audience and the musicians on the stage.”
The Norwalk Symphony Orchestra will also partner with the Jewish Federation for a children’s concert and instrument “petting zoo” on Nov. 17 at Sacred Heart University’s Discovery Science Center and Planetarium in Bridgeport, which will also include science demos and musical activities for young families. All proceeds from the two events will support the educational work of the Holocaust Resource Center of Greater Fairfield County.
Violins of Hope has been featured in print, film and television. The instruments have been used in educational programs worldwide, exhibited in museums, and triumphantly played in concert halls around the globe, from Berlin and Tel Aviv to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
The entire Violins of Hope visit, coordinated by the Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County, is underwritten in part by generous donations from Andy and Carol Boas, Emil and Toby Meshberg, Bob and Barbara Scinto and Congregation Rodeph Sholom.
••••• Message center •••••••
Connecticut Merch
Looking for Connecticut merch? Think of us this holiday season. All proceeds help us grow Finding Connecticut.
Our popular collections 203 • Two o’ Three • 860 • Eight Six O’ • I Really Really Miss Connecticut • Just a kid from Connecticut • Pride • Love & Live • Connecticut Fall
We also have merch by town, not all towns are available yet. You can always contact us and we can order the design you are looking for.
Save 10% on all products with promo code Post10. Always free shipping
Fall Cooking Classes
Looking for fall cooking and holiday ideas. Click here for AMG Catering. & Events Fall cooking schedule.
Gourmet Cookies
Indulge in Keksi gourmet cookies, featuring classic flavors such as chocolate chip and snickerdoodle, as well as new monthly creations. Made with the highest quality ingredients, each bite is a delicious treat. Perfect for any cookie lover!
Hartford Wolf Pack November 2024 home games
11..6.24 – Hartford Wolf Pack vs Syracuse Crunch click here to purchase tickets
11.15.24 –Hartford Wolf Pack vs Springfield Thunderbirds click here to purchase tickets
11.16.24 – Hartford Wolf Pack vs Providence Bruins click here to purchase tickets
11.19.24 – Hartford Wolf Pack vs Charlotte Checkers click here to purchase tickets
11.24.24 – Hartford Wolf Pack vs Springfield Thunderbirds click here to purchase tickets
11.27.24 – Hartford Wolf Pack vs Providence Bruins click here to purchase tickets
Movie showtimes at Prospector Theater
Looking to see a movie. Click here for showtimes
Let’s create with Victory Designs
Need help with your creative needs? Our team has 20+ years of experience with Adobe, Shopify, and WordPress, and we offer affordable graphic design and web services. Let Victory Designs assist you with bringing your ideas to life.
Connecticut business owners:
Are you a local business owner in Connecticut looking to boost your visibility and reach more customers? Look no further! Our platform provides a unique opportunity to showcase your business to an engaged audience of people who love and live in Connecticut. By partnering with us, you can reach potential customers who are actively seeking things to do, places to dine, and local merchants and service providers to support. Don’t miss out on this chance to grow your business and connect with the local community!
Connecticut with us!
Get our news straight into your inbox daily for free!
Stay connected with us on social media
Facebook • Instagram • Threads • Tiktok • X
Join our Reddit community
Share your Connecticut experiences with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram
Click here to return to Finding Connecticut’s home page
Looking for the latest news by region, topic and events
Latest news by region
Fairfield County • Hartford County • Litchfield County • Middlesex County • New Haven County • New London County• Tolland County • Windham County
Latest sports news by team
Hartford Wolf Pack • Hartford Yard Goats • Connecticut Sun • Norwich Sea Unicorns •
2024 schedules
Hartford Wolf Pack • Hartford Yard Goats • Connecticut Sun • Norwich Sea Unicorns
Events my region
Fairfield County • Hartford County • Litchfield County • New Haven County • New London County • Middlesex County • Tolland County • Windham County
Events by interest
Art • Sports • Family Friendly • History • Concerts • Farmers’ Markets
Events by the month
May 2024 • June 2024 • July 2024 • August 2024 • September 2024 • October 2024 • November 2024 • December 2024
Events by venue
College Street Music Hall • Space Ballroom • Westville Music Bowl • District Music Hall • Fairfield Theatre Company • Hartford Stage • The Bushnell • Goodspeed Opera House • Mohegan Sun