Hope is one of the most essential concepts in Judaism, a core of Jewish survival despite all historical tragedies which befall our people. Hope is a central aspect in human existence, it is a source of motivation and dynamics which enables us as individuals and as a collective to look forward, believing that however bleak the present -- it will change for the better.
In contrast to the Greeks, where hope was dismissed as locked up in Pandora's Box and suicide was the only way of reaching freedom and peace, we are heirs to an opposing approach. The Bible predicts hard times, but at the end the struggle to reach a better world is justified and as a people we are rescued. From the very beginning when the rainbow appeared after the flood it was a promise that disasters are to end with a brighter future and the concept of Messianic era can be taken literally or metaphorically for an optimistic future.
Nietzsche remarked that 'Hope is the worst of all evils for it prolongs the torment of men'. This is in direct contrast to Jewish beliefs. Even the saddest book in the Bible, describing the destruction of the Temple ends with a note of renewal, returning to the good days of old.
It is no wonder that Israel's national anthem is HATIKVA ('The Hope') which refers to the very soul of Jewish belief.
The Holocaust Memorial Day (27th January 2010) marking the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz also revolves around the legacy of hope. For this year's commemoration day, myself and my colleagues at the Spiro Ark, Sagi (Director of our Israeli Cultural Department) and his assistant Arik together with our administrative staff Sylwia and Karolina, are bringing the 'Violins of Hope' -- 9 violins which have been rescued from death camps and ghettos where they were played by inmates who perished in 'Planet Hell'. What a tragic irony that these pieces of delicate wood, the violins, have survived all the terrors, whereas the people who played on them have perished through morbid methods.
The Nazis 'sick mind' and 'cultural' background invented the most bizarre concept: an orchestra of top Jewish musicians to accompany victims on their way from the transports straight to the gas chambers. Many of those marching before the eyes of the players were members of their own families, and friends. They were also made to play at the SS murderers' parties to satisfy their cultural aspirations!
A number of those instruments have found their way to Israel, to Yad Vashem, and have been restored by Amnon Weinstein, the man in charge of the well-being of the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra. Amnon is married to the daughter of one of the Bielski brothers (the story of whom you may have learnt from the recent film 'Defiance'.)
Amnon and his wife will be bringing 9 violins over -- 8 of them can be still played; one is unfortunately too battered, yet it serves as a reminder. Each of these violins has its own human story -- Amnon will show the film about the restoration of these instruments and will answer questions.
These violins can tell the story through sound. They were the last to witness those led to their slaughter. They produced the last civilised sounds that the victims heard in the midst of dogs barking around them and screaming by those being led to the gas showers. They survived to remind future generations of insane world and by doing so they will plant a new seed of hope for a better future.
The 'Violins of Hope' will open and close this year's annual Mayor of London ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day (2010) at the City Hall for special invitees.
On the 26th January at Kinloss Synagogue there will be an open public programme including a film about the restoration, a meeting with the restorer, Mr Weinstein, and his wife (the Bielski daughter) and a short concert played on some of the violins by top violinists. Our thanks to Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and his community for their enthusiastic welcome for this event.
On the 27th January there will be a fundraising event at a private home in St John's Wood. In this concert only, all 8 violins brought over will be played and we can guarantee an enormous impact. The proceeds of this evening will go towards the restoration of the violins, as well as the work of the Spiro Ark and MDA.
On the 28th January 'Violins of Hope' will be appearing at Immanuel College (Bushey) -- the violins will be played by the college pupils and by special guest violinist: Rabbi David Lister of Edgware United Synagogue whose own grandfather was a violinist in the camps. The grandfather's violin has found its way to the family in England, and it inspired Rabbi Lister to play this instrument. He is now an accomplished musician. Rabbi Lister will add his personal story to that of Mr Weinstein and will play on this precious violin. It is our pleasure to thank the Ladies of the very active Parents Association of Immanuel College who put so much enthusiastic effort into organizing this programme which is opened to all and to Phillip Skelker, the Headmaster, whose feeling for proper education is outstanding.
We very much wanted the message of 'Violins of Hope' to enter into other schools, but so often they are insistent that every minute has to be spent on Exam Curriculum which they equate with 'education'. We were however fortunate to meet the unique headmistress of the excellent Watford Grammar School for Girls, Helen Hyde, who understands that educational responsibility is to create young people who will grow up to carry ethical responsibility and stand up to be counted rather than sit on the fence. The Violins of Hope will be playing at Watford Grammar School for Girls on the following Friday morning.
