These Stringed Instruments Survived the Holocaust

The organization known as Violins of Hope has amassed such stringed instruments as violins, cellos and upright basses in an effort to protect the legacy of slaughtered Jewish musicians during the Holocaust and the instruments they once played.

Symphony In C is a community orchestra based in Haddonfield providing young composers and musicians an outlet to develop skills onstage while engaging with the community.

The Jewish Community Relations Council of Southern New Jersey will bring both entities together Saturday December 7 and Sunday December 8 for Cherry Hill concerts showcasing amateur talent performing on eight of those precious instruments. Saturday’s concert at Temple Beth Shalom will feature Samual Barber’s 1938 “Adagio for Strings” Felix Mendelssohn’s 1844 “Violin Concerto in E-minor” and Johann Sebastian Bach’s 1730 “Concerto for Two Violins in D-minor.” Sunday’s concert at Lahn Social Hall will feature Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s 1782 “Six Preludes” and Bach’s 1741 “Goldberg Variations.”

Educational programs in the Camden area started December 2 and will continue until December 8. Avshi Weinstein, who restored many of the instruments himself in Israel and Istanbul, will speak at these events. It’s his first visit to New Jersey, and he’ll be bringing the instruments with him to libraries, schools and temples, encouraging students to play them. He told Courtney Smith of www.njarts.net, “Mendelssohn is still one of the most known Jewish composers, and all his music was banned during 1933 to 1945.”


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Mike Greenblatt

MIKE GREENBLATT has been writing for Goldmine magazine and New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly for more than 35 years. His writing subjects fill the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's interviewed Joe Cocker, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and members of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. He was 18 when he attended Woodstock in 1969.

In addition to writing about music, Greenblatt has worked on publicity campaigns for The Animals, Pat Benatar, Johnny Winter, Tommy James and Richard Branson, among others. He is currently the editor of The Jersey Sound.

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