Irene Levy Haspiel was both a violinist and a fine artist. She worked for many years as an Executive Secretary to a general at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and also performed with the Government Girls Orchestra. During World War II, Irene often played violin for servicemen at the Stage Door Canteen, offering music and comfort to soldiers preparing for or returning from war.
One day, a U.S. Army Captain who had been a POW in Germany appeared in her Pentagon office carrying a violin. He explained that he had rescued it in Germany just before leaving Europe, where it had likely been confiscated from a Jewish musician. Having seen Irene perform at the Canteen, he entrusted her with the instrument. Though charred and broken, its reddish hue still showed through the damage. Irene cherished the violin for the rest of her life.
After Irene’s passing, her daughter Robin inherited the violin. When she shared it with cousin Leah Urso, the two wondered if it could ever be repaired. Remembering the work of Amnon Weinstein and his Violins of Hope, Leah arranged for the instrument to be brought to Tel Aviv. There, Amnon devoted three years to restoring it, calling it one of his most difficult projects.
When it was finally played again, the violin’s powerful, beautiful voice astonished everyone who heard it. Once scarred and silenced by war, the violin was reborn. Donated by Irene’s daughter, Robin, and carried to Israel by cousin Leah, this instrument now lives on in Violins of Hope in loving memory of Irene Levy Haspiel.
(Blow pic: Government Girls Orchestra. Irene is 3rd from right)
