The Jacksonville Symphony will present “Violins of Hope: Building Bridges Through the Power of Music” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at Jacoby Symphony Hall. This special concert features instruments once owned by Holocaust victims, restored by Amnon and Avshalom Weinstein, and performed by Symphony musicians under the direction of Music Director Courtney Lewis.
The program includes solo performances by Concertmaster Adelya Nartadjieva and narration of selected readings chosen by the Symphony’s Violins of Hope Advisory Council, comprising local leaders, educators and second-generation Holocaust survivors. Guests can also view more than 60 of the restored instruments in the lobby before the concert.
Leading up to the event, the Symphony will host educational and outreach programs, including panel discussions and ensemble performances at the University of North Florida, the Jacksonville Public Library and Congregation Ahavath Chesed. These events are free and open to the public, but tickets are required due to limited seating.
“Unfortunately, antisemitism is still prevalent today, and in some areas, even rising. Through ‘Violins of Hope,’ we aim to build bridges, fostering connection and empathy through music to stand against intolerance,” said Steven B. Libman, president and CEO of the Jacksonville Symphony.
Tickets for Violins of Hope are available at JaxSymphony.org or by calling the box office at 904-354-5547. The concert is part of the Greta Challen Berg Artist Series and is sponsored by Dr. Eugene and Brenda Wolchok.
Community educational events are planned to foster dialogue, inclusion and understanding between diverse communities through panelist discussions, ensemble performances and a display of the instruments. There is no cost to attend these events, but registration is required as space is limited. To register, go to jaxsymphony.org/violins-of-hope-2025.
These events will be: 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, at University of North Florida; 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Jacksonville Public Library; and 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Congregation Ahavath Chesed Temple.
The Advisory Council Members: Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of One Jax; Cecelia Cristol, volunteer with Jewish Family & Community Services; Dr. Barbara Darby, Jacksonville Symphony Board member and DEI Committee chair; Mariam Feist, CEO of the Jewish Federation & Foundation for Northeast Florida; Rabbi Maya Glasser, head rabbi at The Temple, Congregation Ahavath Chesed; Stacey Goldring: founder of the Searching for Identity Foundation; Elyse Gustafson, priest at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd; Rodney Hurst, Jacksonville native, civil rights activist, historian and author; Dr. Courtney Krolikoski, history professor at Jacksonville University; Anne Lufrano, Jacksonville Symphony, former board member; Patricia McElroy, president of the VyStar Foundation; Patrick Nolan, history professor at the University of North Florida; Isaiah Oliver, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida; Lior Spring, executive director of the Miller Family Foundation; and Brenda Wolchok, Jacksonville Symphony, former board member.
For further information, go to https://www.jaxsymphony.org/violins-of-hope-2025.
