This November and December, Violins of Hope continues its statewide residency, bringing restored violins played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust to venues across Milwaukee and Madison. Presented by the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, often in cooperation with local Jewish organizations, including Milwaukee Jewish Federation, the initiative blends music, history and education to honor resilience and remembrance.
In Madison, the Chazen Museum of Art hosts “Sunday Afternoon Live: Violins of Hope” on Nov. 9, featuring University of Wisconsin–Madison graduate students performing on the historic instruments. A related lecture by professor emerita Teryl Dobbs takes place Nov. 8.
Milwaukee’s programming is especially rich. On Nov. 18, Resilience in Silence: Echoes of Memory and Survival will be performed by Milwaukee Musaik at Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church, featuring works by Schulhoff, Ligeti, Weinberg and John Williams. On Nov. 19, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee’s Golda Meir Library opens “Violins of Hope: Call and Response,” an exhibit pairing 15–20 restored violins with visual art from the Jewish Artists Collective Chicago. The exhibit runs through Jan. 23, 2026, with an opening event during the week of Dec. 1.
The Jewish Museum Milwaukee presents “Strings of Jewish Resistance and Resilience,” from Nov. 5 to Jan. 25, showcasing 24 violins and their stories, including that of Erich Weininger, who carried his violin through Dachau, Buchenwald and exile in Mauritius.
To explore the full schedule, learn about the instruments, or RSVP for events, visit the central website at violinsofhopewisconsin.org. The site offers event listings, historical context, and opportunities to stay connected through newsletters and community programming.
Violins of Hope is intended as more than a concert series — it’s meant as a living memorial that amplifies voices once silenced, using music to foster empathy, education and unity.
Loading ...