VIOLINS FROM THE HOLOCAUST: THU MAR 12, 2026 from 10-11:30
Bring Your Students to See and Hear Them Live!
High school teachers and music departments are invited to a rare, moving educational concert at Molloy University’s Madison Theatre at Molloy University on March 12, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:30 am. This unforgettable program features the historic Violins of Hope collection, alongside internationally respected musician and educator Dr. Michael Klinghoffer of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance and master violin restorer Avshalom Weinstein, steward of these extraordinary instruments.
A Living History Lesson
These violins, violas, and cellos once belonged to Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust. Some carry Stars of David. Some survived ghettos, camps, and cattle trains. Today, restored to full voice, they do what the Nazis tried to silence. They sing. Through live performance and storytelling, students connect music, history, resilience, and the power of culture to survive hatred. This is not just a concert. It is a living history lesson, an arts experience, and a conversation about humanity, memory, and hope that students will carry long after the final note fades.
Professor Michael Klinghoffer
Professor Klinghoffer will speak about the string section, the voice of the violin family, and how these instruments have become witnesses to history. He will explore how their sound carries memory across generations and how music and the arts serve as forces that unite people, restore dignity, and help heal a fractured world. Students will not only hear these instruments performed, they will understand their global impact as symbols of resilience, remembrance, and shared humanity.
Donate to Continue Sharing this Legacy
Please consider bringing a check to support Long Island Concert Orchestra, a registered 501c3 nonprofit presenting the powerful Violins of Hope program. Your donation, from $250 and up, helps preserve these historic instruments and ensures their stories continue to educate, inspire, and stand against hate. Thank you for your generosity and leadership.
For Questions, contact Bernie Furshpan at berniefurshpan@hmtcli.org | 631.383.3943
THU MAR 12, 2026 from 10-11:30
Madison Theatre at Molloy University
1000 Hempstead Ave, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
About Friends of The Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance
Our History
Thursday, March 12, 2026
8:00 PM 10:00 PM
The Madison Theatre at Molloy University
Symphony of Hope will feature Violins of Hope, a collection of restored instruments owned and played by Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust — some performed in ghettos and concentration camps, others belonging to musicians who did not survive. Paganini Competition winner Simon Zhu will appear as principal soloist, with rising star Jeffrey Dokken conducting. The program also includes a major work by Long Island composer Alexey Shor, joined by a local choir for an evening of reflection, resilience, and hope. This special performance celebrates the power of music to unite people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Proceeds from the evening will support:
- Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) – a vital nonprofit that educates students and the community about the Holocaust while promoting tolerance, respect, and human rights for all.
- The Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance – a leading institution of artistic collaboration, welcoming Jewish, Muslim, and Christian students to learn and create together in the heart of Israel.
- Molloy University – an independent, Catholic university rooted in the Dominican tradition, dedicated to truth, service, and ethical leadership.