On Sunday, January 12, NJPAC in Newark will host a historic program linking three continents in history, memory, tribute and talent. The Israeli-based organization Violins of Hope was founded 20 years ago by Israeli violin makers Amnon Weinstein, z”l and his son Avishai Weinstein, with the mission of rescuing and refurbishing precious stringed instruments formerly owned by Jewish musicians in Europe during the Shoah. These instruments were played by Jewish prisoners in ghettos, concentration and death camps; their lives and the lives of family members were sometimes spared because of their musical talents.
Avishai will bring eight of these refurbished violins and one refurbished cello for the New Jersey Youth Symphony to play before an audience of hundreds. The symphony will be joined by the New Jersey Youth Chorus and Harmonium Choral Society, bringing together nearly 300 musicians and singers. The program will feature selections including works by Felix Medelssohn, the German-Jewish composer whose music was banned by the Nazis and his statue in Leipzig destroyed (now rebuilt). The program will also feature “Chichester Psalms” by Leonard Bernstein and more-recent compositions by contemporary Jewish composers. Soloists include Israeli violinist Asi Matathias and Grammy-winning bassist Ranaan Meyer.
The organizations and individuals involved in the planning and execution of this unique “Concert for Peace” also bring together diverse communities and continents of cooperation. Wharton Arts is New Jersey’s largest independent, nonprofit community performing arts education center, serving over 2,000 students through a range of classes and ensembles. Located within New Jersey in Berkeley Heights, New Providence and Paterson, Wharton Arts reaches students from 12 New Jersey counties.
Helen H. Cha-Pyo, who serves as the artistic director and principal conductor of Wharton Arts, said: “Through the voices of Wharton Arts youth musicians, a combined intergenerational chorus, and newly composed works performed alongside award-winning soloists, we bring the stories of the precious instruments to life, ensuring that their legacy inspires and uplifts generations to come.” Violins of Hope had never toured in New Jersey and she recognized the crucial need for Holocaust education, especially in today’s hostile climate. She worked with Wharton Arts to bring this concert back to our community.
Wharton Arts Trustee Dr. Courtney Pantirer of Short Hills said: “Each of these instruments comes with a history of its owner, which is an incredible way to share their story, the story of European Jewry, and to keep their memories alive. Now more than ever it is important to educate and teach this new generation. We are so excited to bring this incredible concert to our communities in New Jersey and to be able to educate about the Holocaust while looking to the future.”
Courtney Pantirer, who is married to a grandson of Murray Pantirer, z”l, has been instrumental in bringing this concert to NJPAC. Murray Pantirer survived the Holocaust after being saved by Oscar Schindler, and moved to Northern New Jersey where he established a successful real estate business with other survivors. From early on until his passing in 2008, Murray Pantirer was involved as a community leader and fundraiser on behalf of the most proactive Holocaust endeavors in the U.S., including the establishment of both the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. and the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City. He was a staunch supporter of Israel and was involved in the founding of Yad Vashem in Jerusalem.
Further implementing this mission of Holocaust education with the Violins of Hope project, Courtney Pantirer has arranged with the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest that the 200 students in both the orchestra and chorus attend a mandatory online seminar, December 18-19, through which they will be educated about the historical background of the Holocaust and hear from descendants of survivors. In this way their connection to the music they will perform and the instruments they will play will be especially meaningful.
One of the online Holocaust educators is Betty Pantirer Schwartz, the daughter of Murray Pantirer. A resident of Livingston, New Jersey, she continues her family’s legacy by educating others about the Holocaust and the importance of remembrance. Through her education and storytelling, she honors the memory of her parents and ensures that the lessons of the Holocaust will not be forgotten.
Thanks to sponsorships, all Holocaust survivors have been invited to attend the concert for free. In addition to the 3 p.m. concert at NJPAC, ticket holders are invited to a short pre-concert talk with luthier Avshi Weinstein and a display of the eight Violins of Hope at 1:30 p.m. Wharton Arts has also arranged for a program to be held at the Chabad of Short Hills (650 South Orange Avenue, Livingston) on Saturday, January 11 following Shabbat. All of the instruments will be on display with a story card so people can walk around and learn their history. In addition, the Rosner double bass (from the movie “Schindler’s List”) will be on display. Avshi will speak in detail about the history of Violins of Hope and guest artist Asi Matathias will perform.
For more information about the pre-concert and concert events, go to WhartonArts.org
To purchase tickets starting at $18 for the January 12 Violins of Hope concert at NJPAC go to https://www.njpac.org/event/new-jersey-youth-symphony-violins-of-hope/
To register for the pre-concert talk on January 12 and for the Saturday evening program on January 11 at Chabad of Short Hills go to: https://e.givesmart.com/events/EJR/page/order-form/
