Violins of Hope

Violins of Hope

Violins of Hope is a cultural heritage organization and project that seeks to preserve instruments played by Jews before and during the Holocaust. Comprising some 90 instruments, the collection records stories of resistance, perseverance, and tragedy. Each violin is an artifact and emblem of hope and remembrance.

In partnership with Violins of Hope Greater Pittsburgh, CMU Libraries’ Distinctive Collections team curated and designed an exhibition in CMU’s Posner Center that featured 21 violins and accompanying imagery, video, and text. The exhibition was the largest installation in the Posner Center’s history and transformed the Center’s interior into an immersive and publicly accessible gallery.

Installations of Violins of Hope have appeared previously in cities around the world. Portions of CMU’s presentation were borrowed from the 2015 exhibition Violins of Hope, conceived and produced by James A. Grymes and the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, Cleveland, Ohio.

A 360 Virtual Tour allows remote visitors to take a self-guided tour.

Duration October 7, 2023 08:00 - November 21, 2023 18:00
Duration October 7, 2023 – November 21, 2023
Location Posner Center
Curator Sam Lemley
Art Director Heidi Wiren Kebe
Exhibition Photos Violins of Hope exhibition photos

 

Click to experience the 360 virtual tour of this exhibit.
Click to experience a 360 virtual tour of this exhibit.

 

 

Exhibit Photos

The entrance to the Posner Center during the run of the display.
The entrance to the Posner Center during the run of the display.
CMU Libraries’ Creative Director, Heidi Wiren Kebe and Curator of Special Collections, Sam Lemley stand at the entrance to the Violins of Hope exhibition.
CMU Libraries’ Creative Director, Heidi Wiren Kebe and Curator of Special Collections, Sam Lemley stand at the entrance to the Violins of Hope exhibition.

CMU Libraries’ Creative Director, Heidi Wiren Kebe and Curator of Special Collections, Sam Lemley.
CMU Libraries’ Creative Director, Heidi Wiren Kebe and Curator of Special Collections, Sam Lemley.
Sandy Rosen, co-chair of the Violins of Hope Greater Pittsburgh; co-founder, Avshi Weinstein; and co-chair Pat Siger
Sandy Rosen, co-chair of the Violins of Hope Greater Pittsburgh; co-founder, Avshi Weinstein; and co-chair Pat Siger

Sandy Rosen, co-chair of the Violins of Hope Greater Pittsburgh.
Sandy Rosen, co-chair of the Violins of Hope Greater Pittsburgh.
Avshi Weinstein, co-founder of Violins of Hope, leads docents through the exhibition.
Avshi Weinstein, co-founder of Violins of Hope, leads docents through the exhibition.

Sandy Rosen, co-chair of the Violins of Hope Greater Pittsburgh.
Sandy Rosen, co-chair of the Violins of Hope Greater Pittsburgh.
Avshi Weinstein, co-founder of Violins of Hope, leads docents through the exhibition.
Avshi Weinstein, co-founder of Violins of Hope, leads docents through the exhibition.

Violins of Hope exhibition case detail.
Violins of Hope exhibition case detail.
Violins of Hope exhibition case detail.
Violins of Hope exhibition case detail.

Archival Photos

Jewish musicians of Rohatyn (West Ukraine), ca. 1920. Public domain.
Jewish musicians of Rohatyn (West Ukraine), ca. 1920. Public domain.
Violin maker and founder of Violins of Hope Amnon Weinstein in his workshop.
Violin maker and founder of Violins of Hope Amnon Weinstein in his workshop.

Jewish violinist Jascha Heifetz (1901-1987) with a violin standing by a piano. Courtesy of George Grantham Bain Collection, Library of Congress.
Jewish violinist Jascha Heifetz (1901-1987) with a violin standing by a piano. Courtesy of George Grantham Bain Collection, Library of Congress. 

 

 

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