‘Violins of Hope’ Tour Events Bring Holocaust Stories To Sarasota, Manatee

SARASOTA, FL – Sometimes an object can tell as great a story as a person can, especially when that object is brought back to life with its own music.

For more than 20 years, Israeli violinmaker Amnon Weinstein has spent restoring violins of the Holocaust as a tribute to those who were lost. Four of Weinstein’s relatives were among the victims of the Holocaust.

Weinstein and James A. Grymes, who authored the book “Violins of Hope,” will be appearing at several events across Manatee and Sarasota counties during the Violins of Hope Tour from now until Thursday, Feb. 16. The tour stop is sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee and the Mazur Family Fund.

The following events are scheduled to take place during the Violins of Hope Tour:

Manatee County Schools Visit

When: Friday, Feb. 3

Where: Manatee High School, 10 to 10:50 a.m.; Braden River High School, noon to 12:50 p.m.

Weinstein will bring some of the Violins of Hope to share with students at these two Manatee County high schools.

A Conversation with Amnon Weinstein and James Grymes

When: Monday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Where: Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota

Cost: $12.50

Weinstein and Grymes will explore the complex role the Violins of Hope played during the Holocaust. Audiences will have a chance to hear the violins played by alumni from the Perlman Music Program – Suncoast.

A Conversation with Amnon Weinstein and James Grymes

When: Tuesday, Feb. 7, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Where: Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key

Cost: $12.50

Weinstein and Grymes will explore the complex role the Violins of Hope played during the Holocaust. Audiences will have a chance to hear the violins played by alumni from the Perlman Music Program – Suncoast.

Violins of Hope Community Outreach Concert

When: Thursday, Feb. 9, 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Where: State College of Florida Neel Auditorium, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton

Cost: $10

The State College of Florida Presidential String Quartet and soloist Neyce Pierre of the West Coast Black Theatre Troupe will be featured in “A Celebration of Jewish Broadway,” along with a performance of the Violins of Hope.

Violins of Hope Community Outreach Performance

When: Monday, Feb. 13, 7 to 9 p.m.

Where: First Methodist Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave, Sarasota

Cost: $12.50

“Jewish Classics Through the Years” will feature a mix of synagogue pieces, popular melodies and classical composers. This Violins of Hope Performance will feature alumni from the Pearlman Music Program – Suncoast. The selections and Violins of Hope played for this performance will be unique to this program.

Violins of Hope Community Outreach Performance

When: Thursday, Feb. 16, 7 to 9 p.m.

Where: Temple Beth Sholom, 1050 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota

Cost: $12.50

“Jewish Classics Through the Years” will feature a mix of synagogue pieces, popular melodies and classical composers. This Violins of Hope Performance will feature alumni from the Pearlman Music Program – Suncoast. The selections and Violins of Hope played for this performance will be unique to this program.

For tickets and more information, visit https://jfedsrq.org/violins-of-hope.

Video and images via CBS Sunday Morning YouTube channel