In the midst of World War II as Germany battled across Europe, the Holocaust was taking place. Jewish prisoners and others targeted by the Nazis played violins in the ghettos and concentration camps. Many musicians were forced to play; others played them as a form of resistance. Their musical instruments too bore witness to this atrocity.

But today, their music bears witness to this history, rising again, stronger and more vibrant - a testament to survival, hope, and the resilience of the human spirit.

This is the transformative journey of Violins of Hope-Wisconsin.

Photos courtesy of Violins of Hope Pittsburgh residency and Violins of Hope.

The Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) is bringing Violins of Hope, a collection of instruments owned and played during the Holocaust, to the Wisconsin community for a five-month residency of educational and cultural programs, exhibits, and performances from September 2025 to January 2026.

Please join us for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Violin-maker and Violins of Hope curator Avshalom Weinstein explains how this incredible collection of instruments from the Holocaust came together.

Violins of Hope carry on the stories of the musicians who played them, and the people who kept them safe. Visit our gallery to learn more about each violin.