Throughout the residency, we were able to provide educational resources that supported the Violins of Hope-Wisconsin presented by Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra. These resources were designed to deepen the impact of the Violins of Hope story in classrooms and communities across Wisconsin.
Deepening the Impact of Violins of Hope in Wisconsin Schools through a meaningful partnership between the Holocaust Education Resource Center (HERC), Jewish Museum Milwaukee (JMM), and the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO), we were proud to offer educators across Wisconsin a rich collection of resources that brought the Violins of Hope story to life in classrooms and communities. These materials helped students form a personal connection to the past through real stories, voices, and questions that still matter today.
Grounded in the powerful themes of the Holocaust, antisemitism, Jewish identity, and the role of music as both resistance and remembrance, the resources included flexible, classroom-ready lesson plans, multimedia content, historical background, and reflection activities designed for grades 5–12. Everything aligned with academic standards and were crafted to spark critical thinking, empathy, and courageous conversations. Educators could also take learning beyond the classroom through museum visits, guest speakers, and opportunities for peer-to-peer dialogue.
Together, these experiences created space for students to explore challenging questions, find meaning in memory, and carry forward the legacy of resilience and moral courage.
